Plus-Sized Gym Turns Away Members if They're Too Skinny

By drodriguez Jun 26, 2012

We’ve heard of gyms that cater exclusively to women, but now there are gyms cropping up where the plus-sized are welcome and those that are smaller-sized need not apply. The New York Daily News reports about a plus-size women friendly gym in Canada called Body Exchange that has placed strict ban on thin people.

Body Exchange’s founder, Louise Green, explains why she decided to turn away people who don’t need to lose a significant amount of weight. Green says, “Many of our clients have not had successful fitness pasts so I can see the anxiety before we get started and I can see the relief and happiness after we finish. People are often too fearful to become active. There wasn’t a model that offered camaraderie.”

There are other plus-size gyms that are now open that also cater to those with at least 50 pounds to lose, but most will also allow trimmer members to join. Michael Hayes, owner of Buddha Body Yoga in Manahattan, works mainly with overweight clients and though he has no ban of non-overweight people in place he admits that he prefers to draw in plus-sized members. Hayes explains, “I started my practice because I was tired of being the biggest person in the classroom. My whole life, I have always wished there was a place for other big people. So I created one.”

What do you think of gyms that cater exclusively to plus-sized members?

Do you think it’s fair for a gym to ban members who are not significantly overweight?

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Comments

by efitzie | Haddonfield, NJ

Jun 26, 2012

I don't have a problem with gyms catering to plus sized women, but I do have a problem with banning women who they don't deem "fat enough". What happens when a significantly overweight person has success at this gym, and loses a lot of weight. Will she then be deemed too thin, and kicked out of the gym? Also, imagine if a gym started banning members that they deemed to be "too fat". Can you imagine the outrage people would have then?

by mintonmom | WEATHERFORD, OK

Jun 26, 2012

I think that this is a wonderful idea for all the reasons already mentioned. I just hope that no one starts claiming this discriminates against thin people. I know that it must be so hard to go to a gym and stand next to a thin person, it is hard enough to motivate yourself to go in the first place.

by MadHatter | Whitestone , NY

Jun 26, 2012

I think it's a good idea. It not only makes the people feel more comfortable, but they don't have to start comparing themselves or feel self conscious about a skinny super model looking person working out over there who might be looking at them weird because they are fat. Whatever makes them more secure and motivates them to go more frequently without the guilt is always a plus.

by basilandcatnip | GARLAND, TX

Jun 26, 2012

Yes, the needs of larger people from a physical medical fact are different and classes may need to be adjusted to make exercise more comfortable, safer, and modified positions so that a person can exercise for the entire 30-45 min class. I don't think they should ban people since there is a friendship and bond that goes along with exercise and losing weight, people shouldn't have to lose this support structure, especially while keeping the weight off.