A plus size only gym. What do you think - a good idea, or no?
In an effort to create a more comfortable workout environment for plus-size women, Body Exchange, a Vancouver-area gym, has adopted an unusual membership policy. It doesn't allow men or thinner women to be members, the British Columbia-based newspaper, The Province, reported.
Body Exchange caters to plus-size women of all ages, though the majority of their clientele are between 35 and 55. All potential members go through a phone screening process. If they don’t meet the gym’s criteria, they simply aren’t invited to join. The founder and CEO of Body Exchange, Louise Green, told The Province that the gym's members are looking for a place where they can exercise and get healthy without feeling self-conscious. “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,” Green said.
Green hoped to create a place where women could feel “camaraderie” and comfort when they came to the gym. In addition to providing an indoor gym that is comfortable for plus-size women, Body Exchange offers various boot camps and off-site exercise retreats. (One is even held in Mexico!) And Green’s initiatives seem to be working. Mary McNary, one of Green’s customers, told The Province: “It’s intimidating going into a gym setting. I honestly think some people in a gym setting are judgmental to people who are overweight or have a different body type.” She said doesn’t feel that way at Body Exchange, where she’s been a regular member for nearly three years. McNary works out six days a week, has lowered her blood pressure and has lost 50 pounds.
Body Exchange isn’t the first gym to create workout spaces specifically for plus-size customers. Downsize Fitness, a gym with studios in Chicago, Las Vegas and Dallas, targets “chronically overweight” clientele, although it doesn't specifically ban anyone, the New York Daily News reported. “We make it known that our specialty is working with people who have at least 50 pounds to lose," he told the paper. “Most people who come here, come here for that reason.” Michael Hayes, owner of Buddha Body Yoga in New York City, said that his studio has a similar policy.
Green told The Providence that her primary goal is to give her customers the ability to get fit and feel good about themselves. Weight loss is something that might happen as a result, but it’s not the focus of the gym, she said. At the end of the day, she added, she strives to make Body Exchange about enjoyment: “This has got to be fun or it’s not going to work.”
(The Huffington Post | By Emma Gray)
Quoting WackadooMom:
It's kind of wierd. What happens when you lose the weight? Can you become too skinny and get kicked out? Also, it's discriminatory. Can you imagine the uproar if plus size people were not allowed somewhere?
Quoting AntroNet:Who will they have to stare at and get motivated to lose the weight? Now, all they have are people who can sit and emphasize with them and tell them "girl, I understand...have that second or third piece of cake." When I want to lose weight, I picture someone I want to look like (Angela Bassett in the movie "What's love got to do with It", for instance), and I go for it. Me and Angie may not be twins by the end of it all, but I have got something to be proud of. Motivation doesn't come in Comfort sizes. IMHO.
You have an negative attitude. Calling people idiots for their opinion. People like you make me sick.
I used to be a personal trainer, speciffically to obese people...long before Jillian Micheals jumped on the Biggest Loser bandwagon. Most of them do sit around together making up excuses, sympathizing with each other & justifying an unhealthy diet. It made my job very difficult.
Quoting DomsMom8207:
Your a idiot! You have no idea! For your information thin and fit ppl do not motivate us big ppl. As a matter of fact it has the opposite affect! And honestly u think thts what we do? Talk about cake all day? And sit around?. Ppl like u make me sick, and I'm supposed to be motivated by u n ur negative attitude?. Pssh yea right!
Quoting AntroNet:Who will they have to stare at and get motivated to lose the weight? Now, all they have are people who can sit and emphasize with them and tell them "girl, I understand...have that second or third piece of cake." When I want to lose weight, I picture someone I want to look like (Angela Bassett in the movie "What's love got to do with It", for instance), and I go for it. Me and Angie may not be twins by the end of it all, but I have got something to be proud of. Motivation doesn't come in Comfort sizes. IMHO.
I think this is a great idea! I know that I feel uncomfortable going to the gym and I'm not too overweight. If people don't feel that the gym is a place to show off how good you look, they would be more inclined to actually go to one. I would!
And you are NOT a good mother. But saying that would make me as judgemental as you, huh? You probably call your child names like this, don't you? It was my opinion. And the cake thing was an example--as I get it from EXPERIENCE---I consider myself overweight as well---so it's a "personal" for me. When I want to exercise and my sister does not want to join me, I am like "yeah, you're right...who has the time?"--or some other lame excuse. So, my motivation is not on point when I don't bring up my standards...wait...why am I explaining myself to you? And it's "You're", not YOUR. Who's the idoiot?....Psssh!
Quoting DomsMom8207:
Your a idiot! You have no idea! For your information thin and fit ppl do not motivate us big ppl. As a matter of fact it has the opposite affect! And honestly u think thts what we do? Talk about cake all day? And sit around?. Ppl like u make me sick, and I'm supposed to be motivated by u n ur negative attitude?. Pssh yea right!
Quoting AntroNet:
Who will they have to stare at and get motivated to lose the weight? Now, all they have are people who can sit and emphasize with them and tell them "girl, I understand...have that second or third piece of cake." When I want to lose weight, I picture someone I want to look like (Angela Bassett in the movie "What's love got to do with It", for instance), and I go for it. Me and Angie may not be twins by the end of it all, but I have got something to be proud of. Motivation doesn't come in Comfort sizes. IMHO.
Thank you! And this was my full and exact meaning behind posting my OPINION. Motivation is the key for me, in particular. And I hope you get the unique idea that you need to keep motivating people to choose healthy lifestyles!
Quoting chinosruca:
No, you are an idiot. Actually, it IS thin (gealthy thin, not sickly unrealistic thin) women who motivated me when i wrnt from over 200 pounds to 135. It was healthy people and their healthy habits and lifestyle that motivated me.
You have an negative attitude. Calling people idiots for their opinion. People like you make me sick.
I used to be a personal trainer, speciffically to obese people...long before Jillian Micheals jumped on the Biggest Loser bandwagon. Most of them do sit around together making up excuses, sympathizing with each other & justifying an unhealthy diet. It made my job very difficult.
Quoting DomsMom8207:
Your a idiot! You have no idea! For your information thin and fit ppl do not motivate us big ppl. As a matter of fact it has the opposite affect! And honestly u think thts what we do? Talk about cake all day? And sit around?. Ppl like u make me sick, and I'm supposed to be motivated by u n ur negative attitude?. Pssh yea right!
Quoting AntroNet:
Who will they have to stare at and get motivated to lose the weight? Now, all they have are people who can sit and emphasize with them and tell them "girl, I understand...have that second or third piece of cake." When I want to lose weight, I picture someone I want to look like (Angela Bassett in the movie "What's love got to do with It", for instance), and I go for it. Me and Angie may not be twins by the end of it all, but I have got something to be proud of. Motivation doesn't come in Comfort sizes. IMHO.
Do you have a landline?
- sheri305
on Jun. 26, 2012 at 11:42 AM