Skinny Bans Popping Up at Gyms
How do you feel about gyms that ban “skinny” people? Credit By: bradleygee
A lot of us have been there. By “us,” I mean the fitness newbies. By “there,” I mean being terrified and intimidated by gyms and the perfectly sculpted bodies that inhabit them. I can honestly say that I was anti-gym for years and years. I was under the impresson they were meat markets; cesspools created for men to ogle the women with JLo booties. But I got over that quickly, once I figured out that gyms are a great way to hold you accountable. I’m cheap, so if I pay for something, you better believe I’ll damn well get every penny out of it! Plus, you make friends at gyms and develop support groups, personal cheerleaders and, most importantly, muscle! You develop oodles and oodles of cool muscles by using gym equipment.
So now I’m a gym advocate. By no means do I believe it’s the only path for the fit and righteous, but it’s an option…and an option that I’ve recently read that is being tweaked by certain gyms out there in the world. I recently read this fascinating Jezebel article about gyms banning skinny people from joining their gyms, and I wanted to weigh in (no pun intended) on the matter. My initial thoughts: Reverse discrimination sucks. Will women self-sabotage in order to remain at the gym where they’ve developed friendships and support groups? What’s considered “skinny?” What about thin people who aren’t healthy and need to get moving? Skinny-obese people do exist you know!
There’s got to be some dissenting opinions on this one. I mean the gyms had to have gotten feedback from someone that this idea would work, so I’m all ears. Thoughts, opinions, suggestions, rants, compliments? —Tish
Comments
Imagine if someone suggested a fat ban…
Also, what happens when the members lose weight? Are they then banned from that gym?
Agreed. Why can’t we all just workout together?
I wondered the same thing, Kayleigh. Once you lose weight, is it adios? So much for community.
I think it’s absurd. We have to learn to accept our bodies and not keep pushing fear, jealousy, and intimidation from others. We should inspire, help, and work with each other. Not against.
Ok, I’m a fat girl (working on getting healthier) – probably one of those potential clients they’re trying to rein in by making their gyms less intimidating. And this is absolutely ridiculous. I am not out to sabotage someone else’s workout just because I’m insecure.
Generally speaking, this so-called skinny/fit discrimination is overblown. It only applies to very specific circumstances that in the grand scheme of things doesn’t matter (i.e. matter to your wallet, self-esteem, dating life, etc).
However, speaking to this particular gym’s “skinny-ban”, it does seem kind of ironic that they would ban the type of type of people that the targeted demographic is trying to become. However, I do understand why people feel uncomfortable going to a gym. I’ve been stared at and have caught myself staring at others. So if there’s one more gym option that will encourage people to get fit, then I don’t see much of a problem with it. After all, there are women’s only gym and gyms for senior citizens.
I want as many people to work out as possible, the health and well-being benefits go far beyond weight loss or muscles. I want everyone to find ways to exercise that they enjoy. It’s unfortunate that there are so many women out there that are so uncomfortable with their bodies that they won’t go to a gym. I think there’s only a very small number of jerks out there that leer and judge, but women who don’t like they way they look perceive judgement, or are uncomfortable regardless – and if they feel that way they’re either not going to go to the gym in first place, they’ll go and not enjoy it, or they’ll go and realize everyone is supportive and generally minds their own business. Unfortunately many won’t get to that third outcome. So if these gyms encourage more women to get working out, that’s a great thing! There will always be plenty of gym options for everyone, I can’t imagine these gyms being the only work out spot in town, turning away the thin folks, leaving them gymless. It adds an option for people who, for their own reasons, don’t feel comfortable in gyms currently.
I also didn’t see where these gyms kick people out once they reach a certain weight level, it seems that some screen at membership to discourage thin or fit people, but most just encourage plus sized members. I used to go to a gym that sort of “discriminated” against body builders. It didn’t screen them, or kick them out, but all the free weights and machines had lower levels of weights that would discourage the big muscle builders. It was a really popular gym for that reason.
As a gym owner, I am thankful for EVERY member that walks in through my door.
My thoughts are: Everyone needs to get healthy. Just because you are thin does not mean you are healthy. Support groups exist, and it doesn’t matter what size you are, you can support others. Discrimination is NOT okay, no matter who it is targeted at. Furthermore, “skinny” people don’t always want to be skinny. They may want curves, but it’s not in their genetic code to have them. Should one suggest that another change himself, what he was born with? Absolutely not.
I can understand being intimidated at the gym, when I started going I weighed 200lbs and was convinced that I was going to be the sideshow for all the skinny people that were already there. Of course there were a few who gave me some not-so-friendly looks but for the most part, everyone was very warm and welcoming. This idea is playing up to people’s insecurities, not helping them overcome them and I don’t think it’s a very productive way to help people lead a fit and healthy lifestyle. For me, it’s been as much mental as physical. I don’t think I would have been able to accomplish as much as I have if I didn’t meet people who started where I did and could say “Look at me now!” Skinny is not always healthy and I’ve seen lots of “skinny” people who work just as hard to become fit as I’m working. It’s been very motivating and my goal is no longer to be skinny but healthy.
There is a woman who works out at my gym who is clearly anorexic… her face is drawn and skeletal, and her legs are the diameter of her bones. Yet she comes in regularly and plugs away at the elliptical. In her case, it seems dangerous and unhealthy, and the gym probably feels liable if anything should happen to her. So maybe that’s what the skinny ban is about… not necessarily healthy, rosy skinny people, but rather dangerously thin people well under a healthy BMI who are actually hurting themselves by coming in.
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