Fat Gyms: Not Such A Bad Idea?

In an earlier entry I mentioned the concept of an affordable gym for fat people only. As Eleven pointed out, though, sometimes it’s not about money, it’s about motivation.

Which, obviously, is spot on. But I can’t help wondering whether anyone’s done market research on the matter?

I, for one, have had a couple of different gym memberships which seemed a great idea at the time. I was going to get motivated. I was going to go every day! Why, I’d become the Cardio Queen, the Weight Room Wonder Woman, the lady who practically lived there when her kid was in school.

Then reality hit: a week into my membership — four days after the law allows cancellation of the contract — I showed up in yoga pants, a sweat-friendly tank top and my Titleist golf baseball hat crammed on my head. I was ready to exercise. Ready to huff and puff and work off those pounds.

Until I saw the slinky 20-somethings in their sports bras and bike shorts. Where the hell had they been when I’d checked out the place? Oh, that’s right: I signed my contract in the morning, when they were either recovering from the previous night’s frat party or sitting in their college classes… or both.

First time I heard one of those skinny girls whisper, “Talk about someone who needs to be here” as I huffed past them on the indoor track, I realized I could’ve taken out her and her little friend with one of my chubby thighs.

I didn’t go back a single time during the twelve months that I paid for that year-long membership, money I essentially threw down the drain rather than endure the pitying stares, the bitchy whispers, the constant realization that if anyone belonged there, I most certainly did but I felt wholly unwelcome.

I’d love a gym for fat people. And, frankly, if they wanted to keep my business and ensure I’d keep coming, all they’d have to do is set up shop next to a pizza joint. Talk about smart marketing!