Fitness club bans skinny people from joining

People who don't measure up to a Vancouver fitness club's size requirements are asked to workout elsewhere. (iStockphoto)You'll need to secure a place on the list to get into this club: no thin chicks allowed.

In an attempt to create the ultimate haven for plus-sized women, one Vancouver fitness center has implemented a no-skinny-people policy.

Founded by personal trainer and wellness coach Louise Green, Body Exchange bills itself as Canada's only fitness and adventure company exclusive to a plus-sized clientele.
 
The company offers everything from fitness camps and personal training to all out destination retreats. Members, however, must be screened in advance - and they don't always make the cut.

"The presence of [a thin person] in our program will bring down morale," said Green to The Province newspaper in Vancouver. In her experience, plus-sized women would rather be with their physical peers as they get fit than with people who are already toned.

Body Exchange member Wendy McNary agreed, telling The Province "I honestly think some people in a gym setting are judgmental to people who are overweight or have a different body type."

McNary joined the North Vancouver club three years ago in the hopes that a plus-sized only environment would make her feel less out of place. She has since dropped approximately 50 pounds and continues to exercise with the club regularly.

Members of The Body Exchange are shown together in this image found on the company's Facebook page. (Body Exchange / Facebook.com)

Potential clients of Body Exchange are screened over the phone, according to Green. If they don't meet her criteria, they're not invited to join.

Most of the club's members are between the ages of 35 and 55, but women of all ages with a significant amount of weight to lose are welcome, said Green.

Despite her desire to help others, it appears as though the concept of an exclusive gym - of any kind - is offending some.

"This a human rights violation. You can't discriminate based on body-type," wrote one commenter on the Province's website. "To make this clear, imagine a gym in which the reverse is true - they don't let fatties in."

"So what happens when they reach their goals? Do they get kicked out?" asks another.

The question remains unanswered on Body Exchange's website, but it's an interesting one to consider.

What's your take? Is a plus-sized gym discriminator? Would you consider joining a fitness club exclusively for the overweight if you had some to lose?

Let us know in the comments below.

POLL: Are plus-sized only gyms discriminatory?