What started as a handful of donation-based spin classes at DEFINE Oakley in Cincinnati has grown into an international event spanning more than 230 gyms across the United States and Canada, all built from one woman’s grief over losing her brother to suicide in 2012. Kelli Wall founded Fitness For Hope in his memory, and this weekend gyms nationwide will hold classes where attendees donate instead of paying a normal class fee.
Wall’s brother, Justin, fought depression for many years before he died by suicide in 2012, according to WKRC. She described her brother as funny, passionate, sports-loving, animal-loving and kind. Wall began hosting local donation spin classes at DEFINE Oakley in his memory, and the station reports she started the event four years before its report was published, eventually formalizing it into what is now known as Fitness For Hope.
Wall practices at DEFINE Oakley and told the outlet fitness was important to her own healing after Justin’s death. She said she wanted to honor his memory at her home gym, and now hopes the event reminds people facing mental health struggles that support is available. She has also credited social-media outreach with helping the event grow well beyond its Cincinnati roots.
From 32 Studios to an International Movement
Fitness For Hope officially launched in August 2023, drawing 32 Tri-State fitness studios and raising more than $11,000 for suicide prevention in its first year, according to the Fitness For Hope website. By September 2025, the effort had expanded into an international movement with more than 250 participating studios and gyms hosting over 400 donation-based classes across the U.S. and Canada. The station’s report this weekend puts the current participant count at more than 230 gyms across both countries, with Fitness For Hope classes scheduled for Friday, September 11…