Gym size discrimination
Replies
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It's odd, that's for sure, but there certainly are plenty of other gyms for the "skinny" people to go to. No loss there, but still wtf at this concept.0
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Maybe it's just me, but my morale would suffer if every single person in my gym was obese. If every person huffing and puffing on the machines was huge, eventually I would lose the mental connection working out to lose weight. I'd stop believing working out helped anyone. Who would I look at and think to myself, "If I work out as hard as that guy over there, eventually I can be as ripped as he is"?
Would anybody in that gym be busting their butt off? I've got this mental picture of walking in and seeing recumbent bikes as far as the eye can see.
To offer a different viewpoint. As a 'big girl', I've gone to the gym only to have fit women tell me I didn't belong there or some very snide comments at my lack of ability (as have many people on this site). It's soul crushing and demotivating. So, if I could go to workout at a place that offers the same amount of training, cardio and strength training, while being in an environment filled with people who have similar goals to mine as well as know the position I'm in, then I'd love to go. Especially when you start to see the people around you reach their goals. That would push me to continue to reach mine.
I think it's meant to be supportive. That and, when first working out, it can be intimidating getting on a treadmill for your cardio next to a ripped woman who is running like a cheetah at 18 mph.
I too am a "big girl" and I have been activly going to the gym since December. I have never once been hassled by a fit person while there. I have, however, been complimented by a really nice "fit" lady on my progress. She called my the amazing shrinking lady. I also have been the most overweight, out of shape person in a class. The other people in the class encouraged me to keep going and keep trying; the instructor made positive comments on how my form was improving. It sounds to me like you either need to find a different gym or realize that negative people come in all shapes and sizes, as well as positive, supportive people.0 -
Maybe it's just me, but my morale would suffer if every single person in my gym was obese. If every person huffing and puffing on the machines was huge, eventually I would lose the mental connection working out to lose weight. I'd stop believing working out helped anyone. Who would I look at and think to myself, "If I work out as hard as that guy over there, eventually I can be as ripped as he is"?
Would anybody in that gym be busting their butt off? I've got this mental picture of walking in and seeing recumbent bikes as far as the eye can see.
To offer a different viewpoint. As a 'big girl', I've gone to the gym only to have fit women tell me I didn't belong there or some very snide comments at my lack of ability (as have many people on this site). It's soul crushing and demotivating. So, if I could go to workout at a place that offers the same amount of training, cardio and strength training, while being in an environment filled with people who have similar goals to mine as well as know the position I'm in, then I'd love to go. Especially when you start to see the people around you reach their goals. That would push me to continue to reach mine.
I think it's meant to be supportive. That and, when first working out, it can be intimidating getting on a treadmill for your cardio next to a ripped woman who is running like a cheetah at 18 mph.
I too am a "big girl" and I have been activly going to the gym since December. I have never once been hassled by a fit person while there. I have, however, been complimented by a really nice "fit" lady on my progress. She called my the amazing shrinking lady. I also have been the most overweight, out of shape person in a class. The other people in the class encouraged me to keep going and keep trying; the instructor made positive comments on how my form was improving. It sounds to me like you either need to find a different gym or realize that negative people come in all shapes and sizes, as well as positive, supportive people.
I'm the 'biggest' woman I've seen at my gym, but I've had nothing but support from the staff & the other members. It helps that I'm the UK and people just aren't as outspoken here as they are in the US, and that the gym is in a small town so most members know each other at least by sight.
Personally I wouldn't join a gym just for outsized people, nor would I join a women only gym. I like seeing fitter people than me, it give me something to aim for & I've picked up some good tips from them. And I like that fact there's fellas around. Call me shallow, but a bit of eyecandy makes the weights seem lighter.
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My only real problem with this is: I'm currently "fat" and need to lose about 75 lbs. I go to this gym fat. Love the gym. Love the people. Do good and lose weight. Then one day someone comes to me and says "hey you look great, so dont come back here"
Yeah! Way to make me feel good. wtf?
I was thinking about this, too. Maybe they should have two workout rooms with separate entrances, showers, and etc, and when you get skinny, you graduate from one side to the other!
Also, what about the inspiration of walking into the gym and seeing someone you know a year ago was overweight who is now fit and thin?0 -
This is why I don't bother with a gym. Pop my dvd or find something on youtube and you will be fine. Weight loss is 80% what you eat, and only 20% exercise.0
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So...if you lose weight you get thrown out? I'm not sure I understand the concept, or rather, I'm not sure they thought this all the way through.
Maybe they don't expect the women to loose weight?0 -
This reminds me why I love my gym so much. I have been bigger, and I have been smaller, and my gym is somewhere where people of ALL shapes and sizes can go and be happy, workout and gain support from other members.
I dont see why anyone would bully someone for being overweight in a gym, what are you going to say 'wow, youre fat, what are you doing here trying to improve your fitness and health and general wellbeing, that cannot be commended at all for being great'. Seriously, what the hell. I may be a little creepy, but if I see someone struggling or what have you I throw them a smile, a 'keep it up' fist pump. I know what it was like to be the one jiggling around at the back in aerobics feeling like I was going to die, telling myself that the only reason I couldnt do a burpee was that my arms and legs must be too short to allow me to squat thrust properly. The only reason anyone in a gym should be ashamed is if they are doing something innapropriate or being half arsed. As long as youre giving it your best, who the hell is anyone to judge.0 -
That's annoying. I'm pretty sure it can't be a good gym if they lose their clientelle everytime someone is successful at losing weight. I guess if it's a HAES place where everyone has every intention of staying their every size it could work. Still, it seems like most women want to lose weight and going to a gym like that seems to be just asking for some sabotage.
Besides, without a showoff in the gym doing superfast weighted pullups with a twist - how are you going to know what your body is capable of at it's best?0 -
Aahhh a gym that is not after long-term members eh. What will they do when some of those overweight peeps slim right down, ban them??I'll just put this here:
http://blisstree.com/live/obesity/canadian-gym-wrongly-bans-skinny-people-because-they-bring-down-morale-721/
Discuss among yourselves...
pmsl yeah great business sense0 -
Is a gym that caters to plus size customers really any different than a clothing store that caters to plus size customers?0
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Is this any other different than the gym that only allows women to join? While looking for gyms in my area I was told I cannot join because I'm not a woman!0
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That's ridiculous. On the other hand I'm not sure who'd be offended exactly.
Lol this. Yea its discrimantion ... but hey if fatties wanna hang with only other fatties, remind me why i should care. Sounds like the gym would be filled with treadmills and crosstrainers anyway.
Oo 1st post. Back to the calorie counter for me...
I agree. I want to see the skinny people at the gym. They motivate me especially since some of them were once over weight as well!!0 -
I know I need to see skinnier, more fit people around me at the gym. It motivates me to get my fat *kitten* going. I want to look like them. I want to see how they work out so I can impliment it into my routine so I can hopefully, at some point, be as fit as they are. I think it's a stupid idea.
![:\](https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/resources/emoji/confused.png ":\")
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That's weird... my gym tends to make me an example now that I've lost 20 lb, telling the newer members that lifting's a good thing, don't give up, keep going, look at HER. Which makes me feel flattered even though I'm only 2/3 to my goal and it makes it easier for the new girls, they know that there's at least one person there who totally understands what they're going through.0
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Lame0
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It's a double standard. These clients want "acceptance," yet they don't promote body equality amongst ALL types of bodies.0
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So...if you lose weight you get thrown out? I'm not sure I understand the concept, or rather, I'm not sure they thought this all the way through.
Maybe they don't expect the women to loose weight?
I'm curious about that aspect of the situation. I'm not sure that I would be motivated to try harder if I were surrounded by people who were in equal or worse shape than me. I wonder if some rationalizing could occur - one might be content on some level to just fit in everyone else around you.0 -
I don't think it's a bad decision. I kind of think the writer of the article is being a bit too antagonistic. I don't mind going to gym and seeing a variety of body types. When I go to the gym, no one makes me feel insecure, insecurity is a personal choice. But for people who need like body types around them this is good. If you have a business like curves it's geared more towards older women, or maybe a cross fit club may bring about a certain kind of clientele. they would receive less heat for this club if they had not expressly told skinner people they couldn't join vs. stating that they cater to plus size women. the concept IMO is fine.0
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And what is gonna happen when the fat ppl get skinny? Are they going to kick them out?0
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I can understand why heavier people would want to workout around people who have a similar body habitus; however, I don't think it is right to exclude anyone from a gym. I workout at planet fitness and the range of patrons are very fit to very overweight. No one is rude, no one is gawked at. People pretty much mind their own business and do their workouts. I enjoy having a large variety of people, and to my the very fit individuals serve as an inspiration to keep going and work through the tough points so that I can to their level one-day. Skinny people are not morale suckers and that is very offensive.0
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HAHAHA Seriously? The whole premise is ridiculous.
A) I know just as many "rude and unfriendly" fat people as I do skinny people
Being overweight is YOUR fault, suck it up and hit the gym. There will be people that look better than you there. TOUGH.
Should there also be a gym for skinny girls who aren't attractive? After all, it just isn't fair for them to have to work out around skinny hot chicks is it?0 -
To offer a different viewpoint. As a 'big girl', I've gone to the gym only to have fit women tell me I didn't belong there or some very snide comments at my lack of ability (as have many people on this site). It's soul crushing and demotivating. So, if I could go to workout at a place that offers the same amount of training, cardio and strength training, while being in an environment filled with people who have similar goals to mine as well as know the position I'm in, then I'd love to go. Especially when you start to see the people around you reach their goals. That would push me to continue to reach mine.
I think it's meant to be supportive. That and, when first working out, it can be intimidating getting on a treadmill for your cardio next to a ripped woman who is running like a cheetah at 18 mph.
I don't see how a gym that caters to overweight people is different than a gym for women only or a gym for boxers or bodybuilders. I don't think it's discrimination to exclude a certain part of the population, I don't feel discriminated if I don't fit the requirements for something.
I do wonder about how they set the requirements though, who's too fit to work out there? And what to they do when people lose weight and suddenly are too fit? I'm guessing they have a plan but they just didn't include it in the article.
Also, I can absolutely understand why someone would want a plus-size only gym. When I started out, I felt terrible going to the gym. I would only go to the gym when I knew it'd be mostly empty, like late at night. Which again would make it harder to exercise. I've been working out at the same gym for over a year now, and I can still count on one hand the times I've seen overweight people at the gym. I would however have trouble counting how many times I've gotten looks from guys lifting when I approached the strength/weight training equipment. Or tiny, made up girls giving me a disgusted look when I'm sweating like crazy.0 -
So...if you lose weight you get thrown out? I'm not sure I understand the concept, or rather, I'm not sure they thought this all the way through.
Lmao this!
I was thinking the same thing! what if their weight-loss programs work a little too well and the once overweight-clientel becomes slim? Are they now banned from returning to the establishment? Its a paradox lol0 -
That's ridiculous. On the other hand I'm not sure who'd be offended exactly.
Lol this. Yea its discrimantion ... but hey if fatties wanna hang with only other fatties, remind me why i should care. Sounds like the gym would be filled with treadmills and crosstrainers anyway.
Oo 1st post. Back to the calorie counter for me...
Speaking as a "fattie"....I think the hard part about going to a gym, with people who are in as excellent shape as you're in, is knowing that some of those fit people consider you a fattie not worth caring about. Being fat is hard. Changing it is hard. Encountering condescending attitudes and unkind people compounds that. You're in awesome shape....I'm sure it is hard to maintain that. Imagine having to do all that work but also having to deal with ridicule. You might not be so motivated. Or heck...it might motivate you more. But if in a conversation on the internet the term fattie gets thrown around in order to discuss this issue then imagine living it...for even a day. It sucks and that's why so many of us "fatties" are here trying to change.0 -
I looked at the gym's website, and it seems to be more of a bootcamp. You work directly with the trainers at all times and pay based on how many days you're going to attend (and it's expensive!). In that context, I can understand much better why they have restrictions. It's one thing if it's a normal gym where everything is doing their own thing; it's another if trainers are there to work with a specific group with common issues.0
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This is ridiculous. Stepping out of your comfort zone is the best way to make change in almost every aspect of your life. Not being shielded from what's uncomfortable.
Couldn't have said it better myself.0 -
I don't like the statement that they will bring down morale, but the gym should be allowed to choose whoever they want to cater to. Similarly, I wouldn't have a problem if a gym catered only to skinnier people (although I feel like that may be a stupid idea financially).
That's kind of my thought as well.
I wouldn't have thought it a problem but I don't know how many times I've seen women post in weight loss forums how intimidated they are to go to a gym or be seen exercising. They're terrified of going out for a run as they think folks will be wondering what the heck they think they're doing. Some folks have self esteem issues that really put them through the wringer. If a gym wants to cater to those ladies to get them going towards good health, I think that makes sense.
When I started running and going to the gym and so on, I was obese too, but I never thought anyone thought that of me. I assumed they were all happy for me. In fact, I was often told how inspiring I was. I wish every fat girl knew that - that when you try to better yourself, folks are going to be on your side, not judging you for trying.0 -
A gym is a private club that charges a membership fee and can choose who it wants as members. I have no problem with that. I think it's a wonderful idea to have gyms that cater to specific clientele, it gives people the option to go where they feel most comfortable working out.0
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That's a fantastic idea. A gym that lots of people belong to but no one ever uses the equipment0
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Honestly I don't want to feel comfortable in the gym, it makes me work harder for what I want.
But , if this helps these ladies, then more power to them. There are plenty of gyms in this world, and there is a Massive *kitten* at my gym that would love for it to be a specifically "in shape" gym.0
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