Obese Only Gym?

mateo57505
mateo57505 Posts: 83 Member
in Chit-Chat
So I saw on the news this morning that in Dallas, a new gym is causing some controversy because it is an obese only gym (according to the news there are 3 that they are aware of). To be allowed to join you must go through an evaluation and be deeemed 50lbs overweight. I am all for everybody getting into fitness and getting in shape and I have no problem with this type of gym to each there own whatever gym or home workout works for you I'm all for it, but as I was running I just had this thought.

Living in the US were people are sued and there a lawsuites for all types of things, If somebody opened a Fit only gym that was very selective about its members and you had to be at a certain fitness level (and this may exist and I may not be aware of it, im sure they do). If it were all over the news how long would it be or does anybody think they would get sued for discrimination by somebody that was overweight or not in shape not being allowed to join.

Any thoughts?
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Replies

  • magj0y
    magj0y Posts: 1,911 Member
    Seems odd, but wouldn't they lose a lot of business?
  • VelociMama
    VelociMama Posts: 3,119 Member
    A lot of boxing and powerlifting gyms only work with fit well-trained people so they do exist.

    My only question is, "What happens if an obese person gets fit?" Do they have to leave the obese-only gym?
  • corn63
    corn63 Posts: 1,580 Member
    You can't do anything without offending someone these days. It's no different than them attending a bariatric seminar or being recommended for those things. And there are some classes that are held at medical facilities that are for the obese/super obese only.

    I think it's a good thing. We're overweight as a nation and something needs to be done. If "being amongst your people" helps you get fit, then do it. Some people have HUGE fears about working out in a regular gym because of the scrutiny of being fat in the gym. So if this helps them get comfortable getting fit, then go for it. Also, I'd assume that these gyms have classes with instructors better informed on how to modify for those with weight problems. Which would also help with their being comfortable in the gym.
  • skittles1928
    skittles1928 Posts: 57 Member
    Seems discriminatory. I dislike that. On the other hand, a lot of skinny people at gyms can be jerks to really overweight people. My aunt (who wasn't even that overweight) had skinny young women giggling at her while she tried to work out. But then a lot of them can be nice, too.
  • n2thenight24
    n2thenight24 Posts: 1,651 Member
    A lot of boxing and powerlifting gyms only work with fit well-trained people so they do exist.

    My only question is, "What happens if an obese person gets fit?" Do they have to leave the obese-only gym?

    That's what I was wondering? So you get kicked out of the gym when you get closer to your goal? That doesn't even make good business sense.
  • Erienneb
    Erienneb Posts: 592 Member
    That's silly.

    I can understand specialized gyms (like what was mentioned for boxing or other activities) and I can see where they are coming from with this because I know a lot of obese people starting to become healthy are uncomfortable or intimidated by other gym goers. But I don't see this working long run because isn't the goal of working out to no longer be obese? So technically, if your gym was a success, you would lost customers at a fast rate beacuse they would no longer be obese...as a business model it seems fairly short term.
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
    A lot of boxing and powerlifting gyms only work with fit well-trained people so they do exist.

    My only question is, "What happens if an obese person gets fit?" Do they have to leave the obese-only gym?

    That's what I was wondering? So you get kicked out of the gym when you get closer to your goal? That doesn't even make good business sense.

    Newbies get t-shirts emblazoned "before". Those who achieve goal get special "after" t-shirts.
    :bigsmile:
  • n2thenight24
    n2thenight24 Posts: 1,651 Member
    A lot of boxing and powerlifting gyms only work with fit well-trained people so they do exist.

    My only question is, "What happens if an obese person gets fit?" Do they have to leave the obese-only gym?

    That's what I was wondering? So you get kicked out of the gym when you get closer to your goal? That doesn't even make good business sense.

    Newbies get t-shirts emblazoned "before". Those who achieve goal get special "after" t-shirts.
    :bigsmile:

    tumblr_m9t2utT95c1rzz3r3o1_400.gif
  • crrc78
    crrc78 Posts: 207 Member
    A lot of boxing and powerlifting gyms only work with fit well-trained people so they do exist.

    My only question is, "What happens if an obese person gets fit?" Do they have to leave the obese-only gym?

    Exactly my thought.
  • itsmyvwbeetle
    itsmyvwbeetle Posts: 272 Member
    So, if you get below 50 pounds overweight (which should be the goal), do they kick you out? Hmm..interesting.
  • divemunkey
    divemunkey Posts: 288 Member
    I woudl imagine those who have reached their goals would be welcome to stay to serve as positive examples to others. Also, they would very likely be perceived as less judgemental by the obese people who use the place, as it would be understood that they have been in the same place at one time. I see it as a positive thing that could be successful.
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,728 Member
    Seems odd, but wouldn't they lose a lot of business?

    Exactly! If the gym is successful, the clients would soon not fit into the "50 pounds overweight" category. And then the gym would be unsuccessful financially.
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member

    My only question is, "What happens if an obese person gets fit?" Do they have to leave the obese-only gym?

    That's what I was wondering too when I was at the gym of all places and this came on the TV
  • Mcmilligen
    Mcmilligen Posts: 332 Member
    http://www.abc57.com/video/Texas-gym-caters-only-to-obese-people--181361561.html
  • misscristie
    misscristie Posts: 643 Member
    http://www.todaysthv.com/news/article/236328/288/Dallas-gym-caters-only-to-the-obese

    Members who lose the weight are welcome to stay per this article.
  • Aeriesified
    Aeriesified Posts: 206 Member
    Some people have HUGE fears about working out in a regular gym because of the scrutiny of being fat in the gym. So if this helps them get comfortable getting fit, then go for it.

    This. I have some HUGE anxiety about going to the gym for this reason. I can definitely see where the controversy is, though. Interesting. In any case, I'll be following this thread's progression.
  • RubyRed8067
    RubyRed8067 Posts: 301
    I think it's up to the owners of the gym.
  • FitBeto
    FitBeto Posts: 2,121 Member
    3648re.jpg
  • funkyspunky872
    funkyspunky872 Posts: 866 Member
    .
  • wildcatnyc
    wildcatnyc Posts: 2,410 Member
    One of the reasons I go to the gym is to stare at the beautiful men...this would be no fun!
  • kaysue1
    kaysue1 Posts: 14
    I woudl imagine those who have reached their goals would be welcome to stay to serve as positive examples to others. Also, they would very likely be perceived as less judgemental by the obese people who use the place, as it would be understood that they have been in the same place at one time. I see it as a positive thing that could be successful.

    I agree with this as it will show others who are starting out that it can be done. I have lost quite a bit of weight, but I still feel like everyone is laughing at me. So the atmosphere would still be mentally appealing too. :happy:
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    RACIST!!
  • Mathguy1
    Mathguy1 Posts: 207 Member
    At the end of the news story it states:

    "And in case you're wondering, members who do lose weight are welcome to stay, to inspire new recruits."

    Which means that in order to join, you have to be at least 50 lbs overweight. You can continue as a member after losing the weight "in order to encourage new members". However, if new members fit the business model of "being uncomfortable working out around people who are fit" and members who originally were 50 lbs overweight but currently aren't make up the majority of your members, management would have to keep an eye on how many new members join based on how many currently fit members remain. If that number remains unchanged, they'll continue to let fit members (who joined while overweight) stay members.

    If it drops, they'll have to decide whether to allow currently fit members the ability to renew their membership (I'm guessing they have a 1 year membership and once paid, the gym cannot kick them out).

    Seeing as there are gyms that only cater to female clientele, they should be allowed to open a gym that only caters to those that have 50+ lbs to lose.

    I'd be curious as to how they determine someone is 50 lbs overweight? Is that 50 lbs over the top end of one's BMI "healthy weight"? Is that 50lbs over the low end? What about 50 lbs over the middle of that range? Do they measure BF% and go by that?
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    The idea defies logic because the staff would be purposefully UNmotivated to help people get healthy, since, by their own defintion, if the people were no longer obese then their membership would be void. Duh. (Sounds like some weight loss corporations that I am familiar with. lol)

    Edit: to the OP: it would have been useful to include the information that the people who lost the weight would be welcome to stay, but then you wouldn't have gotten all of our silly responses; correct?

    But this illustration DOES explain the diet industry imo. :wink:
  • amber1533
    amber1533 Posts: 117 Member
    It does seem like discrimination but on a different side I don't know about any of you but when I go to the gym and see small fit people I get discouraged. I know it's not their fault or anything like that and I don't blame them but I think going to a gym that is specific for overweight people might encourage some people to lose weight.

    However, what happens when you make friends lose a bunch of weight and are no longer their standard for being "overweight." Do you have to leave? What if you sign up for like a year contract and lose all your weight 8 months but still need to exercise?
  • n2thenight24
    n2thenight24 Posts: 1,651 Member


    Seeing as there are gyms that only cater to female clientele, they should be allowed to open a gym that only caters to those that have 50+ lbs to lose.


    Yeah, but I'm always gonna be a girl. That's not a very good comparison IMO.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    I would assume that these gyms have equipment that can support larger clients and people trained working there that are trained more specifically on obese clients. The memberships probably also cost more than 'traditional' gyms.
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    You can't do anything without offending someone these days. It's no different than them attending a bariatric seminar or being recommended for those things. And there are some classes that are held at medical facilities that are for the obese/super obese only.

    I think it's a good thing. We're overweight as a nation and something needs to be done. If "being amongst your people" helps you get fit, then do it. Some people have HUGE fears about working out in a regular gym because of the scrutiny of being fat in the gym. So if this helps them get comfortable getting fit, then go for it. Also, I'd assume that these gyms have classes with instructors better informed on how to modify for those with weight problems. Which would also help with their being comfortable in the gym.

    You're so smart..
  • ChetThaker
    ChetThaker Posts: 186 Member
    A lot of boxing and powerlifting gyms only work with fit well-trained people so they do exist.

    My only question is, "What happens if an obese person gets fit?" Do they have to leave the obese-only gym?


    This is exactly what I was thinking. Maybe they then get free membership to the Fit Gym as a reward? :laugh:
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    Its a genius idea because you kick out the clients that cost you money but keep the ones that never show up

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