If you’ve ever felt self-conscious surrounded by lean fitness fanatics flexing their toned muscles while you sweat your guts out in the gym - you’re not alone.
In fact, a company in Canada has gone to extreme measures to avoid this embarrassment by setting up a plus-size gym, which BANS slim people becoming members.
‘Body Exchange’ located in Vancouver has created what they call a “safe haven” for overweight people to exercise in a friendlier work-out environment, without the fear of being stared at or criticised by fit gym bunnies.
Skinny people need not apply for membership, as Body Exchange only accepts applications from people who have at least 50lbs to lose, or those who struggle with emotional eating or food addiction.
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Founder and certified personal trainer Louise Green says she wants to eliminate the main source of intimidation (the super-fit skinnies) so that plus-sized people feel more at ease.
Green told The Province: “The presence of that person in our program will bring down morale,' she said. 'I used to walk into fitness classes where nobody would even say hi. This has got to be fun or it's not going to work.”
“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.”
But could you imagine the outcry if a gym was to ban fat people? Tell us what you think…
If you think this sounds crazy - take a look at how the world keeps fit...
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China: Trendy Wall Climbing
Say goodbye to traditional rock climbing and hello to trendy interior walls in China, where people can work up a sweat climbing, but take in the nice surroundings while they're at it. The facility takes the outdoorsy feel out of rock climbing and replaces it with climbable mirrors, frames, deer heads and even flower vases.
UK: Dog Dancing
Perfect for dog lovers and canine coach potatoes, this new fitness trend whips you and your dog into shape through dodgy dancing. The trend started in Wiltshire in the UK (and they've since set up a <a href="http://www.swindondogdancing.co.uk" target="_hplink">Swindon Dog Dancing School</a> and is now gradually building up a fan base and even made it on TV on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPGUN-WCYxk) " target="_hplink">Britain's Got Talent</a>.
USA: Karaoke Spin Class
This energetic exercise trend combines spinning classes with your best rendition of, 'I Will Survive'. This group class is an energetic mix of cycling and singing and the reasoning behind it is that it helps get the heart pumped to an optimal level, which helps burn fat. Plus it's a lot of fun...
India: Laughter Yoga
Laughter really is the best medicine in India, where hundreds of people gather round giggling and chuckling themselves fit. Although it sounds slightly odd, laughter is a great antidote for strengthening the body and mind, which is vital for healthy blood flow around the heart and maintaining a strong immune system. It also works the muscles in the face.
Spain: Naked Gym
Although this isn't something all Spanish fitness fans do, one gym decided to open its cliental up to nudist gym-goers in a bid to boost membership sign-ups. The Easy Gym is the first of its kind and has pioneered a peculiar practice of stripping while keeping fit.
New Zealand: Poi Dancing
Poi dancing originated in New Zealand and was known as the traditional Maori dance, but it has caught on around the world as an alternative form of exercise with an added boost of colour (or flames if you're daring enough). The exercise works arms and limbs with the spinning and throwing action.
New York: Coregasm
This subtle erotic workout practice concentrates on the core muscles that apparently help release sexual tension and focusing on the inner thigh and deep quad areas. It's said to be particularly popular with the ladies as it's a great pelvic muscle toner.
Boston: Forza
This wacky (but fun looking) exercise, which derived from New York, involves weapons (yes really) and combines ancient Japanese training techniques with martial arts. It's a cross between fencing (without a partner) and kickboxing (but with a sword) and tones up the arms and legs a treat.
California: Face Yoga
If the Lion Face, Baby Bird, Smiling Fish Face and Puppet Face mean nothing to you, that's because you haven't discovered 'face yoga'. Originating from Boston and swiftly taking off around the globe, face yoga encourages people to stretch the face into a range of funny face-poses and promises to give you a 'natural facelift' as a result. The key is to do it for an hour once a week, topped up with 10 minutes after you've moisturised before bed.
China: Male Pole Dancing
Recently it was reported that Chinese men were going crazy for pole dancing and it quickly caught on among fitness-conscious men around the world. The interest in twirling around a pole is completely different to the female agenda and instead, men are using it for its muscle strengthening abilities.
If you’ve ever felt self-conscious surrounded by lean fitness fanatics flexing their toned muscles while you sweat your guts out in the gym - you’re not alone.
In fact, a company in Canada has...
If you’ve ever felt self-conscious surrounded by lean fitness fanatics flexing their toned muscles while you sweat your guts out in the gym - you’re not alone.
In fact, a company in Canada has...
A couple of years ago I had a bit of a paunch going on, I thought it was down to my age and that it was there to stay. I had an upset and to stay upbeat I went running and cycling, the best cure for depression. Well blow me if that paunch didn't just disappear, along with any other fat I was carrying.
The only important possession a person has is their body, so look after it exercise and eat well.
Too many lazy people about with too many excuses.
I think there is a bit more in it,than just being fat,whole families seem to be fat,and nearly always seem to be from areas of social housing,and often have physical and mental problems related to their situation.
crossie: I think there is a bit more in it,than just
This is stupid! We should be supportive of people who want to get healthier and in better shape. If having a facility that would make them more comfortable and motivated exists and they want to go, Good for them!!!!
fredimessina: This is stupid! We should be supportive of people who
All you have to do is read some of these comments on here to understand exactly why the overweight would be more comfortable in a gym with fewer thin people. The difference between the name-calling and snide remarks done on here and on a playground is that we are adults and ought to have more respect for others.
Grace_Hernandez: All you have to do is read some of these
Too many overweight (dare i say fat) people often look for someone or something to blame. Its their hormones, its the fast food companies, its because they have allergies. The reality is people whether they be slim, big, or whatever, make choices, whether its to have that extra slice of pizza, or take no exercise, etc. We are all the end product of the decisions we make in life. I am a 20 a day smoker and yes it is highly damaging, but i dont blame the cigarette company if i get a bad chest, etc, because ultimately I made the choice to smoke. The same thing goes with overweight people. Stop looking for someone else to blame and take some responsibility for yourselves
SGillLondonUK: Too many overweight (dare i say fat) people often look
There are other reasons for a person to be overweight. Not all people who are overweight sit there on their rumps watching the telly and eating one pie after another.
Grace_Hernandez: There are other reasons for a person to be overweight.
But the majority of them do. This obesity epidemic we have been hearing about in the media has only come about in the last thirty years. Every year we hear about increases in heart disease, and diabetes, stroke, the list is endless. And the reality is that the majority of it is because people eat too much. I dont doubt for a second that some people do have genuine medical reasons, but if it were that case for the majority of people, then why dont we see it in poor countries, where people eat hardly anything.
SGillLondonUK: But the majority of them do. This obesity epidemic we
There are very very few people, way less than 1% of the population who can blame their overweight body on physiological things beyond their control like hormone imbalances or neurological disorders.
For the vast vast majority its the fact that on a daily basis they consume more calories than they expend. Its really as simple as that. They create excuses for themselves when in reality it is their own history and catalogue of choices that has determined their body shape. People need to take responsibility for their own bodies and stop blaming everyone else.
crumpets: There are very very few people, way less than 1%
There are people who are genetically just going to be bigger. There is no such thing as the perfect body. Most really skinny people have always been that way. It doesn't necessarily make them any healthier.
fredimessina: There are people who are genetically just going to be
But most people are overweight because they eat too much. How do i know? Because the obesity situation is on the rise. It was never like this 30+ years ago
SGillLondonUK: But most people are overweight because they eat too much.
So presumably if the program is successful they get thrown off the course and then what they go to a middle weight program. I ride horses its my passion I found late in life the focus wasn't what can I do to loose weight and get fit and I think if its going to last and become a key element the activities we take up need to be fun and satisfying in themselves, not running around on a treadmill counting the calories burnt off. How sole destroying, http://talesofamiddleagednovice.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/am-i-nearly-there-yet.html
alisonbarton1: So presumably if the program is successful they get thrown
I wish my mum would get off that bike, all my mates in the playground are laughing at me.
In the USA she is skinny,
In England she is a WAG,
And here in the Arctic we harpoon them and enjoy the company.
delboy246: I wish my mum would get off that bike, all
I am a fitness instructor and I tell all my new students the same thing. "Don't worry about anyone one else staring at your 'fat', we're all to busy obsessing about our own 'fat'" Everyone, even the fittest ones, have those areas they are insecure about. People who are overweight shouldn't be intimidated by those that are not. Trust me they have insecurities too. And I love encouraging everyone who gives their best, even if their best isn't my best.
Sara_Ivester: I am a fitness instructor and I tell all my
Weight stigma, also known as weightism, weight bias, and weight-based discrimination, is discrimination or stereotyping based on one's weight, especially very large or thin people.
Weight stigma and bias can be:
practical (for instance, medical equipment or seats in most public places that are too small to accommodate obese persons);
verbal (such as insults, ridicule, teasing, stereotypes, derogatory names, or pejorative language); or
physical (such as bullying or other aggressive behaviors).
TStalks: Weight stigma, also known as weightism, weight bias, and weight-based
Fat people need to stop feeling sorry for themselves, stop making excuses, go on a diet, eat healthy food, do some exercise and lose the weight. It is not healthy and its unfair that society at large should be forced to carry the the financial cost of this lifestyle.
SGillLondonUK: Fat people need to stop feeling sorry for themselves, stop
This is so dissappointing! First of all, the Body Exchange is NOT a gym! It is a bootcamp program. Second, it does NOT ban skinny people. That is ridiculous! What happened to fact-checking in reporting? I live in Vancouver and this bootcamp has a great reputation. My mother went for a couple of years. I wanted to go with her to support her in the beginning. I spoke with Louise on the phone and was welcomed into the program (despite the fact that I'm fit and thin... she never even asked about my weight during the phone call). I went a couple of times, but realized it wasn't right for me. This is the point: it's designed for plus-sized women. But the women were wonderful and I was always welcomed. My mom loved it too! It's all about inclusion and giving women a sense of strength in togetherness. It is a wonderful concept and idea. This whole article is garbage...I thought the Huffington Post was reputable.
snains: This is so dissappointing! First of all, the Body Exchange
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The Huffington Post UK | By Kyrsty Hazell Posted: 21/06/2012 12:27 Updated: 21/06/2012 13:14