Overweight-only gym fosters supportive atmosphere
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DALLAS (AP) — Downsize Fitness is an exclusive health club, evocative of the nation's trendiest gyms. But there's a strict requirement to join: You must be 50 pounds or more overweight.
The chain wants its members to feel comfortable while exercising, so there are no mirrors inside and the windows are fogged. Even the equipment is designed for heavier people.
Chicago entrepreneur Francis Wisnewski says he started the gym because "I've been overweight my whole life, and I was embarrassed to go to the gym myself."
The first locations opened in Chicago and Las Vegas in 2011, and expanded to Dallas in 2012.
Gym member Janie Busch said she likes the supportive atmosphere.
Krisanne Hale, a personal trainer in Dallas, is still trying to lose weight. She says that helps members relate.
The chain wants its members to feel comfortable while exercising, so there are no mirrors inside and the windows are fogged. Even the equipment is designed for heavier people.
Chicago entrepreneur Francis Wisnewski says he started the gym because "I've been overweight my whole life, and I was embarrassed to go to the gym myself."
The first locations opened in Chicago and Las Vegas in 2011, and expanded to Dallas in 2012.
Gym member Janie Busch said she likes the supportive atmosphere.
Krisanne Hale, a personal trainer in Dallas, is still trying to lose weight. She says that helps members relate.
Maybe they should make a no "fatties" gym too.... This sounds like a discrimination lawsuit waiting to happen.
Right on, I think this is great! Â If people can feel unintimidated and supported, it may help them stick to their plans for better health. Â We don't have that, and I saw a lady watch me coming off my run, she looked very wary, but I high-fived her and told her 'good job!' as I went past and now she waves. Â We're all there for the same reason, just in different packages.
Very nice idea.
So when you lose weight and get under that 50lb overweight limit, are you kicked out?
I would hope not 2 years ago when I lost 60lbs and hit my target 123lbs, IÂ developed an emotional attachment to the treadmill that helped me get there. I felt like putting a big heart sticker on it.
 @Robinsnest I hope not, because those people could be great role models and mentors to the new ones coming in.
Next up... Gym that caters to only overweight people being sued for discrimination... I can see it now. On a more positive note - good for these people getting out there and making better life choices. Best of luck to them.
@swansong68 Certainly possible but as long as it's a private business (with no business ties to government) you theoretically have the right to choose your customers.
 @jimbob Wrong. If it's privately owned and open to the public, you do not have the "right" to choose your customers based on discrimination. That's like saying I could open my own store and say no blacks allowed.
Just do it! More importantly don't stop after you've lost the blubber, make it your life.
 @SensationaLies Take it from me.  If you do not "make it your life," you will put every pound right back on.
Hey overweight folks, there's no good reason to feel self-conscious at a gym! Most people there are into their workouts and don't care what other people look like, less so I'd bet than people outside the gym. If I were obese, I'd feel way more self-conscious at a restaurant or grocery store, with people staring to see what you're eating or what food you're buying. At the gym at least they see you making an effort to get fit.
 @enso "don't care what other people look like, less so I'd bet than people outside the gym", I don't know where to start on that felonious statement. I hit the weights 3-5 days a week for nearly two decades and the only thing funnier than the people hitting on each other was the was narcissistic chest shavers.
 @thebigteacher 28 years, 3x/week here. Funny to me these days is the muscular, tattooed guys hanging out in little groups between sets, talking too loud and dropping the F-bomb every other word. Heavy people? Love to see them there and wish them the best.
 @enso So very true.
What happens when they achieve their goals?
@farm2city Maybe they can become mentors at the gym. I knew a lady that did that through Curves. She lost like 150 lbs and then they hired her to be a program organizer and mentor.
 @farm2city They will open another gym for formerly obese clients.
 @farm2city honorable discharge, I guess