Margate Misfits: The Inclusive Broward Strength Gym Where Lifters Cheer You On

Tucked inside an unassuming strip mall on West Atlantic Boulevard, Margate Barbell might not look like much from the outside. But step through its doors and you'll find something far more powerful than weights and racks: a thriving, tight-knit community that's redefining what strength really means.

Founded in 2015 by Ryan Taylor, Margate Barbell is a Black-owned, queer- and trans-friendly, age-inclusive strength gym that draws lifters of all backgrounds. Taylor, a longtime coach and powerlifter, never set out to build a specific type of community; it simply grew from the people who showed up and stayed.

"I've never set out to create a specific community. I have always opened the doors to whoever was willing to put forth the effort and learn," Taylor said. "From that, I was blessed with all walks of life, and the community took shape on its own over time."

Inside, the space looks like any serious strength gym. Squat racks, deadlift platforms, and specialty bars line the walls with strongman equipment tucked in a corner. But unlike many gyms with a "hardcore" atmosphere, Margate Barbell greets newcomers with unexpected warmth. Whether it's a 700-pound deadlift or someone's very first time under the bar, lifters pause mid-set to cheer each other on.

"Physical strength is a side effect," says Taylor. "Real strength starts in the mind and is displayed through your actions...You have to be strong when times are good to not fall victim to temptations, and you have to be strong when things are difficult in order to rise above."

This blend of grit and compassion is the subject of a new documentary, Margate Misfits. Created by filmmakers and fellow members Brendan Walsh and Stef Rubino, the film follows Taylor and several gym members as they navigate strength sports alongside personal and social challenges.

"Margate Barbell is a place for underdogs," Walsh says. "It's the kind of place you might drive past every day and ignore because it looks so ordinary...But inside, it's an oasis of energy, kindness, and camaraderie."

The gym's culture is rooted in Taylor's presence, even when he's not there. "Ryan has cultivated such a strong sense of community among all of the members to the point where, even when he's not present, everyone is constantly and consistently practicing the same level of kindness, compassion, and loving support he models for all of us all the time," Rubino explains.

For Rubino, who previously had negative experiences with commercial gyms and fitness culture, Margate Barbell was transformative. "It is a serious strength training gym, but it's also the most friendly and supportive athletic environment I've ever been in."

Taylor was humbled when the filmmakers first approached him about the project. "When Stef and Walsh came to me and told me about the documentary, I was beside myself," he revealed. "I feel blessed and grateful to be surrounded by such awesome people...I hope that people walk away with more love and compassion for those around them as well as a never-ending passion to chase down their goals and dreams."

Margate Barbell. 4900 W. Atlantic Blvd., #6, Margate; 954-254-9086; margatebarbell.com.