Hi All
Thinking of setting up a plus size gym for all overweight and obese people only. Anyone else who are not classified as either overweight or obese would be refused entry. The gym equipment would be size friendly and the gym would be totally geared for large people

Been working out at my local Fitness First but feel quite intimidated and uncomfortable having people stare at me whilst exercising. Also other overweight people I know are too embarrassed to even join their local gym. Working out in a plus size gym reassures me only people like myself exercise there.

What do the rest of you think, do you see yourself becoming a member of a plus size gym, is there a need for such a gym. I have been recently informed of plus size gym being setup in the USA, could the same thing work in the UK

Love to hear your thoughts and comments

What happens when you lose weight? What if you become a thin person? Does your membership get revoked?

I think most gyms have strong enough equipment to where a plus sized person can fit on them and use them. I mean I'm severly obese and never had that problem.

I do think it would definitely make more people comfortable to go to a gym like this.

I admit that I tend to work out at home (but I just prefer it). Last fall and winter I did do some workouts in the college gym where I'm going, and honestly never felt unwelcome. Although I admit that my bias against working out in public is that I think people won't be nice (but never personally experienced things that I've heard from others). I did get a chuckle out of the light weights the boys were doing curls with. I never did weights in the fitness center... because they weren't heavy enough.

I suspect, if I had to be honest about it, I'd probably avoid a gym specifically set up for the overweight and obese. I can't put it into words, but I don't like the idea of being away from everyone else. Most commercial equipment is rated well above 300 lbs (unlike home equipment - I had to hunt for the treadmill I bought when at that level).

I think gyms are for everyone. I do remember that feeling of going into the gym when I was a right little barrel but once you get over that first time you realise that everyone is there for the same reason. I do appreciate that it can be difficult to get over that kind of feeling but I think even as big as I was going to a gym purely for much bigger people would have put me off even more.

I speak only for myself.

Michele

I know how it is to feel "too heavy" to be at the gym, but honestly--the gym I used to belong to had a good mix of people. Young, old, from the extremely obese to the super thin. There was almost always someone there in a wheelchair and several people were there for rehab purposes. Of course there were also the girls with fluffy hair and fake boobs, and the guys with the huge arms and fake tans, but they had every right to be there as well!

I felt self-conscious at first but quickly realized that I should probably just get over myself, because nobody was looking or judging. And if they were--so what? I wasn't there to impress anyone, I was there to use the equipment and take the classes.

As a person that began as obese, I don't know that I like the concept. If I made friends and got involved with certain classes there that would mean I would eventually be asked to leave. Nope, wouldn't like that. It would be like working hard for success only to have the rug snatched from underneath me once I achieved it.

Please don't feel intimidated by your gym. Most people in the gym are there because they are trying to reach a goal of some kind, or because they've already been in your shoes and are having to work everyday to keep it off. Don't underestimate their struggles that you may not see. I think the majority of gymgoers of any size respect everybody else for dragging their butts in and doing something about their health. Hold your head up and show them what you're made of.

Isn't that the original premise that Curves started on?
I think they were trying to appeal to the overweight/obese women by setting up a comfortable environment.
When I was at my heaviest (214 lbs.) that was the only place I could muster the courage to join, as it felt like it was "made for people like me".
However, I think that that approach sort of alienated other women from joining, and it seems to me that now they are trying to appeal to a wider range of the population (i.e. it's not for the overweight anymore but that everyone can get a good workout).

Not that I have any legal knowledge, but could there be an issue of discrimination?

Thyme, I was wondering the same thing.

I completly understand the concept though. I am faced with the same issue. Even though I have lost a significant amount of weight..... I am going to do a boot camp type program and I am nervous about starting b/c I will be the "new" person who is not familiar with the territory. But, in my pep talk to me...... I am calmed by the thought that everyone had to start somewhere.... so I hope they are not staring and laughing at me too much....

I think it sounds like a pretty good idea

I do however think you shouldnt let the normal gym intimidate you, I am by no means overweight but still feel I am not good enough and worry I am being laughed at but you just have to get on with it, getting to the gym is hard enought you shouldnt let anyone drive you out.