Obese Only Gym?
Replies
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I can definitely see how a gym like that could be helpful. Several people, like myself, were afraid to go to the gym at first because we were laughed at by the fit people there. I remember a couple of really pretty, built girls laughing at me while I was on the elliptical. It stings. If obese individuals go to this kind of gym, they probably won't be laughed at or put down.
On the other hand, it is a bit discriminatory. Those who worked really hard to become fit shouldn't be told they can't go to this certain gym because they are fit.0 -
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...I'm not sure what the point is at having a seperate gym except so people who complain they feel uncomfortable around other people who are fit, can go and feel ok. Problem is, that would make me less likely to care as much and push. But that's just me.
I can understand the boxing gyms and such as it's more specific but a plain ole gym...I don't get it. Not many machines I've seen that in any way can't fit a morbidly obese person....there are plenty at my gym and they use all the same standard equipment that me and the next person use.
Edit* Just read the article..ok got it..it's to cater to certain people. Sure, whatever gets people in shape!0 -
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.
Ok, well that makes sense. I have no problem with the gym-I can understand why people would feel like they couldn't work out with smaller people and I think it almost makes sense to have something like this around but didn't get how if they're so strict to the you have to be 50 pounds over weight rule, what would happen after. The important thing is that they people are working out. I am glad that article mentioned the trained cause I was confused when I saw her on the news since they I figured they'd think the trainer didn't understand them.
I'm kinda curious how much it is-if it's comparable to most gyms or if it's a bit more since they have less people and the machines must cost more0 -
How about if they get into top physical shape they're offered a job? (;0
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I would say that as long as they are up front about it, I do not see a problem per se...
I had been lucky that I had been able to join a fitness gym that accepts everyone regardless of fitness level...0 -
It is not something I am interested in, as I love seeing fit and healthy people at my gym to motivate me and give me something to aspire to achieve. But if an obese-only gym gets more people into a gym and working out, then it's great.0
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The Gym is called Downsize Fitness. They have a monthly fee of $300 or a $25 day pass. The equipment is sturdier and all clients are monitored by trainers. If you do not come in for 5 days a week, you will get calls or text messages. They create a nutrition plan, cardio and weight plan tailored to each client. There are no long term commitments to contracts.
OUR MISSION
Downsize Fitness provides exercise facilities and specially trained staff for individuals who are at least 50 pounds overweight. We create and facilitate human connections that enable our members to find the courage to confront and persevere in overcoming their obesity.
ABOUT DOWNSIZE FITNESS
Developed specifically with chronically overweight and obese individuals in mind, DOWNSIZE Fitness provides a welcoming environment that eliminates the self-conscious and alienating atmosphere felt in most conventional gyms.
Downsize Fitness is modeled after hit TV show,"The Biggest Loser," yet it is structured to be more realistic, both from a financial and time perspective. Every Downsize Fitness member works with a trainer every time they come to the gym. The trainer not only takes them through their workouts, but also holds them accountable for their diet.
"Our goal is to help members change their lifestyle," says owner, Francis Wisniewski. "It's not just about following a diet or working out; it's about teaching members new habits they will embrace in and outside of the gym. Our goal is to give our members a new quality of life and we have the resources and unique trainer support to do that for everyone who walks through our door."
The motivation for the gym comes from Wisniewski who himself lost over 60 pounds in the last year. He made the decision to open a gym for overweight individuals when he realized he was not alone in being uncomfortable at typical gyms. Through a supportive team-oriented environment and trainer-based workout plans, the hope is to get overweight individuals healthy and fit.
3 COMPONENTS OF OUR PROGRAM
Work side by side with a professional trainer at your own pace and around your schedule. Our experienced team will train you using the latest exercise modalities and techniques to elevate your performance, ensuring that you reach your goals.
// FITNESS
Is it time for you to improve your level of health and fitness? Do you feel like you could loose fifty pounds? The professional coaches at Downsize Fitness will work with you to develop a customized fitness program specifically for you! We will teach you proper technique so that you remain injury-free while getting you the results you desire.
Resistance Training - Imporoving your muscular strength helps to alleviate joint pain. Additionally, increasing lean mass will maximize the amount of calories you burn while you are NOT working out.
Cardio/Respiratory Training - You will improve your mental and physical energy, your mental clarity, your ability to focus, as well as mental and physical endurance.
Flexibility and Balance - You will also improve your body control, mobility, stability and circulation.
// NUTRITION
We will develop a customized nutritional program for you. Our coaches will be there to educate you and support you every step of the way.
We will focus on three simple concepts:
Nutrition - We will explain to you why a balanced nutritional program is best and how to incorporate the foods you enjoy.
Nutritional Density - We will teach you what foods have high nutrient density and what foods have low nutrient density.
Nutrient Timing - We will educate you about meal timing in order for you to get the most benefit out of the foods you eat.
// SUPPORT
We understand that increasing your level of fitness and improving your nutrition can be dificult. That's why we have hired professionals to coach you who are personally committed to educating and supporting you through out the program.
Coaches - Professional trainers will always be present, coaching and motivating you throughout your program.
Team - You will always be together with your coach and a small group of other members in a unique team-inspired environment.
Support - You will gain support from not only your coaches but your teammates and other members who will be sharing (and able to relate) your experiences.0 -
There are "clubs/gyms" for all sorts of things, its not discriminating it is simply getting like minded people together. Rather then thinking it is a hate club against skinny people, it is just trying to get those who would not normally want to go to a gym, to feel comfortable.
I have to lose about 140ish lbs. I do go to the gym, but I have to talk myself into it everytime. I always feel like the "fat" person that everyone is starring at. They might be looking with disgust, maybe pity, maybe just happy for me. But because I do have a low self-esteem, I always think the worst. I shouldn't but I do. I have to refocus as to why I am there and my goals. It is really hard though. I honestly would love to go to a gym where everyone didn't look like body builders and beauty queens. I would feel more at ease. And it would be nice for the classes to be a little more geared towards obese people, rather then me just having to always modify the activity to fit me. And believe me, if I was to graduate out of the obese gym- I would be a little sad, but even more excited that I am meeting my goals! And besides, maybe they would need past clients to become mentors to current clients
These are just my thoughts :flowerforyou: :bigsmile:0 -
I think it's a great idea. Since people can stay after they have lost weight, it's a really neat concept. I would totally join a gym like this.0
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I like it, I'd join if the price was reasonable, the place was clean, and the staff was encouraging. It would be nice to work out with people that have reached their goal so know exactly where I'd be coming from. Something to think about, some very obese people have been denied membership to gyms. I know, I was one of them. They were afraid I'd have a heart attack on the treadmill or break something due to my weight. I think they were snobs, I wasn't even 300 lbs. I was close, but I wasn't there yet. I think I didn't fit into their spandex version of "gym member". The third gym I checked out had an awesome trainer took me on and I showed them! I lost nearly 100 lbs in a year. (This was a few years ago, I gained 40 back...long story but not the end of it because I'm back on track now. It truly is a journey!)
It was so very very hard to go to the gym that fat. It was an all women's gym, that may have made it easier, but there were women there that snickered. It was always the same two. There was an older lady there who saw someone snickering one day and she made a point to come over to me and say as loud as she could "My goodness dear, you are looking amazing! I see you here 4 days a week sweating your fanny off and you've lost so much weight! You keep it up, I'm proud of you!" She was awesome, she knew where I was coming from, so if she's the kind of people that will meet their goal and keep going to that gym, more power to them! I don't think the overweight will stop going to that gym when they hear it's staffed and patronized by understanding folks that won't criticize and have been there done that got the t-shirt.0 -
The Gym is called Downsize Fitness. They have a monthly fee of $300 or a $25 day pass. The equipment is sturdier and all clients are monitored by trainers. If you do not come in for 5 days a week, you will get calls or text messages. They create a nutrition plan, cardio and weight plan tailored to each client. There are no long term commitments to contracts.
OUR MISSION
Downsize Fitness provides exercise facilities and specially trained staff for individuals who are at least 50 pounds overweight. We create and facilitate human connections that enable our members to find the courage to confront and persevere in overcoming their obesity.
OK...it was somewhere I would go until I saw that price! I could NOT afford $300/mo just to go to the gym! So it really only caters to the overweight weathly population? That is disappointing. :noway:0 -
I'm not sure how this obese only thing works. Can you only remain at the gym until you lose a certain amount of weight or can you remain until you reach your goal? So what happens when some of the patrons are just starting and some are halfways to thin? What happens if you lose the weight before your membership is up? Refunds?
And yes. If there was a 'fit only' gym, or a 'bodybuilders' only gym, I imagine it would go one of two routes: Nobody would care and/or everybody would freak out.
Although... there may already be gyms like that? I'm not well versed in the gym world.0 -
At that price, they can only allow all green people for all I care!!0
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I think the idea is good. but I think it would work better if it was a part of a gym. Where it was set up for people to feel comfortable working out when they otherwise might get stares or something of that immature nature. Kind of like, the woman's only section in some gyms.0
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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 was the first thing I thought of too. So what's the point if you're going to have to change gyms? Why not just pick a normal gym in the first place?0 -
The Gym is called Downsize Fitness. They have a monthly fee of $300 or a $25 day pass. The equipment is sturdier and all clients are monitored by trainers. If you do not come in for 5 days a week, you will get calls or text messages. They create a nutrition plan, cardio and weight plan tailored to each client. There are no long term commitments to contracts.
For $300 a month (I'm guessing they pay month to month), having a full time personal trainer who helps one with their exercise and nutrition plans is not a lot to ask for. Given that personal trainers charge $50-$100 per session to privately train clients (less if at a franchise gym). I'm guessing that once a client reaches their target weight (or develops the tools needed to reach it on their own), the "fit" clients will quit and only those clients that need the extra attention will remain.
It'll be interesting to see if this business model succeeds.0 -
I thought that was the mantra of Planet Fitness, to appeal to the "regular" people and not the muscle heads. I don't have a problem with an "obese" gym. People shouldn't feel uncomfortable or discouraged because they're out of shape. Just don't have a buffet as part of the membership!0
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My only question is, "What happens if an obese person gets fit?" Do they have to leave the obese-only gym?
Exactly what I was going to say.
While it may make them more comfortable at the gym, is it fair to give them "special" treatment because they are obese and not the non-obese? To me it's kind of disappointing that they feel the need to separate them in fear of judgement by others; a world without people judging would be great... if only.
(If that's the reasoning behind it I mean)0 -
I don't know about any of the legal ramifications, though I am sure this was thought of ahead of time.
I would LOVE it. One of the main reasons I don't go to the gym is because I am embarassed about how I look. I live in a college town, and the gym is full of young, fit college students. I don't want everyone to be staring at me. And even if they weren't, I would feel like they were. This is my problem, I know. But I suspect there are enough like minded people out there that they will do well. And having special equipment to accomodate larger people is great10 -
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?
This isn't the same, though. For the same reason we don't have Straight Pride Parades, or celebrate White History Month. Physically fit people aren't demonized the way fat people are.0 -
Umm Duh...Its all about marketing. Look at how many of us are talking about it?0
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It's OK with me, but I see how a class lilke Silver Sneakers or Sit and Be Fit is successful. I also get that heavier people will have different needs, as will older people or pregnant ladies, but a whole gym?0
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This isn't the same, though. For the same reason we don't have Straight Pride Parades, or celebrate White History Month. Physically fit people aren't demonized the way fat people are.
I don't think you can really compare fat with 'Black' and gay acceptance.0 -
Is this guy for real? You REALLY think people 50 pounds overweight don't work out? PLEASE! I am more than 50 pounds overweight and workout 6x a week. Today alone I did BodyPump and Zumba. You are in the wrong place with that attitude. Maybe you meant to type in "Match.com" and not "myfitnessPAL.com"!Its a genius idea because you kick out the clients that cost you money but keep the ones that never show up0 -
I don't think you can either. You are much more easily accepted if you are black or gay than if you are fat IMO.This isn't the same, though. For the same reason we don't have Straight Pride Parades, or celebrate White History Month. Physically fit people aren't demonized the way fat people are.
I don't think you can really compare fat with 'Black' and gay acceptance.0 -
The high price is for all the personal service that you receive. Crossfit is expensive like that because they have a ratio of about 5 people per coach. Throw in the nutritionist and I can see the validation for the fee. Believe me there are plenty of well off obese people in this area, yes I live in Dallas.
Depending on where it is located, it would be an option for me.0 -
I still believe a business has the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason. That's kind of what America is about. You may be a jerk, but that's your right (unless you make a video that incites riots in the Middle East, then the first amendment no longer applies).0
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Well, when I was 40 Lbs heavier, one of my driving motivations was seeing the fit people work out and thinking that I want to be that one day. I would assume it be the same for 'obese'.......... I don't think it's right only because once the reach goal they would have to leave.
But that is just my opinion.0 -
How is this any different than Curves?
$300 per month is a pretty hefty charge for a gym membership and is outside of the monthly budget for many people. Even more so if you consider the demographics of much of the obese population.0 -
I don't think you can either. You are much more easily accepted if you are black or gay than if you are fat IMO.This isn't the same, though. For the same reason we don't have Straight Pride Parades, or celebrate White History Month. Physically fit people aren't demonized the way fat people are.
I don't think you can really compare fat with 'Black' and gay acceptance.
Not what I was getting at... You can change your fat status but being black/gay is just who you are. Not comparable I believe.0
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