White nationalists are exploiting gym culture and combat sports through the Active Club movement, offering disillusioned young men community and purpose wrapped in white supremacist ideology.

The Globe and Mail spoke to Steven Rai, Senior Research Manager at ISD, on the growing transnational coordination between Active Club chapters and the deliberate appeal of these groups to young men facing economic and social instability. Steven noted that these groups frame white supremacy as a path to self-improvement.

“Active Clubs are appealing to some young men because they frame white supremacy as a project of becoming stronger, healthier and more disciplined,” Steven said. “At a time when many young people feel overwhelmed by social and economic instability, these groups offer a simple explanation for why the world feels broken, a clear enemy to blame, and a seemingly productive way to respond.”

The full article is available on The Globe and Mail.