about us

Petite Île – A gym, a community, a commitment

Our story

Founded in 2018 in the heart of Brussels, Petite Île was born from a collaboration between people from many different backgrounds, forming a creative and committed team. We created a space where climbing is practised in a warm, inclusive and alternative atmosphere.

At Petite Île, we’re not just a sports gym. We’re a place of exploration, growth and memories, where sport, conviviality and innovation meet.

Our mission

To create a cultural movement for inclusivity: for all bodies, through movement, sport and health. We believe that wellbeing and sport should be accessible, affordable and adapted to everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality, size, age, ethnicity, religion or ability.

We are building this space because heteronormative sport is alienating for many people, and can be both toxic and oppressive. We celebrate all bodies, all abilities, all sizes and all athletes.

Some will say you have to do sport to lose weight. Losing weight can be a personal goal, but at Petite Île, we embrace all sizes. We offer advice adapted to each person’s current state, without ever encouraging the pursuit of a specific body shape.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity

We are committed to welcoming everyone, regardless of their origins, identity or beliefs. Our facilities are mixed and non-gendered.

Petite Île strives to put this in place at every level: from staff recruitment to the design of our spaces. All members and visitors adhere to our inclusivity charter and enter into a social contract.

We pay particular attention to welcoming people who are systematically marginalised in sport, giving everyone the opportunity to support one another.

Route setting

Every week, new boulders and routes suited to all levels. Our zones are constantly refreshed for a dynamic experience. Our team of route setters has the best holds and volumes to stimulate creativity.

Sport, fun, respect

Welcome & sharing

Everyone who walks through our door becomes a full member of our family. Each person’s enthusiasm and diversity enrich the collective experience.

Accessible to everyone

Beginners or long-time athletes, our routes are designed to inspire a sense of personal progress. Don’t hesitate to ask our team or the climbers around you for advice.

Respect and tolerance

Any form of sexism, racism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, fatphobia, classism, ableism, antisemitism, masculinism or any other discrimination is unacceptable. With us, everyone is equal and deserves to be treated with dignity.

LOVE IS THE ANSWER

A few good habits

Consent

Favour questions and consent. Don’t assume anyone’s gender or story. Don’t know their pronouns? Go for neutral or ask.

Advice

Think of a less masculine and less competitive vision of this sport. Want to give advice? Ask first whether the person wants some.

Shared space

Climbing with several people or at an advanced level? Be discreet: people on their own or beginners should feel just as comfortable.

#Charter

A social contract

Petite Île & Hall 9 are the guardians of a community we all belong to. Because we love you and we want you to love yourselves too, everyone is invited to come as they are. <3

What we don’t accept

To protect this Safe Place, we take a firm stand against :

• Racism, sexism, ableism, classism, religion-based discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, and shaming of any kind
• Physical or psychological harassment, physical or psychological violence
• Drug use, and any behaviour that endangers yourself or others
• Any behaviour that disrupts someone else’s experience, even if it isn’t listed here

“ Just because it isn’t our problem doesn’t mean it isn’t a problem. ”

By visiting us, you commit to leaving discriminatory reflexes and ideas at the door. The space belongs to no one — to no group and no community.

In case of dispute, the club reserves the right to contact the relevant authorities. The team may apply an immediate, unconditional ban to anyone who breaks these rules.

If a situation makes you uncomfortable

You can go to reception or write to us : [email protected]

We have limits, we know that

A safe space is an ideal. Petite Île is not yet fully equipped or wheelchair-accessible. These issues are new; mistakes will be made — by all of us. But that’s ok, cause we are trying.

We need you

There is no ready-made playbook for building more inclusivity and dismantling stereotypes. If you want to bring an experience, an idea, an energy : we’re listening.

Respect yourselves, respect other visitors and the team, stretch, warm up & have fun.