In this episode we'll be looking at the toxic culture of the fitness industry and the enforcement of gender stereotyping, harmful body shaming and policing of people's identities and lifestyles.
To say that there is some toxic messaging used by the fitness industry would be an understatement. This is not to say that every person in the industry is preaching harmful rhetoric, but yeah, most of them are.
There is a very large percentage of trainers out there who express the view that being 'overweight' is something to be ashamed of and that it's something you should change about yourself.
This view is layered on top of the discriminatory attitude constantly pushed by the industry and many trainers regarding people who are trans, gender diverse or queer; people of colour; people who are differently abled and people from lower sociaeconomic brackets.
It is very NOT ok.
How is a person supposed to feel good about getting moving when all they may be seeing or hearing is the message that they are wrong to be who they are or how they are.
I've had folks tell me that they want to train at home before they join a gym so they look fitter, have lost weight, have some muscles before they go.
Going to a gym, training studio or accessing a trainer are a right everyone should have, not a privilege accessible only to the few.
Figuring out how you want to feel, what things you want to be able to do in life and how you want to see yourself are all important questions to ask yourself when you do decide to begin moving.
Moving your body needs to be done on your terms. You are not obligated to fulfil anyone's expectations of who you are or how you should exist.
If a gym or trainer is telling you that you need to lose weight regardless of your physical size or what your actual desires are when it comes to being active, I'd strongly recommend finding someone more affirming to help you get more active.
There are trainers and gyms out there that are affirming of all bodies and all identities. If you pop on to instagram, you will be able to check out a bunch. Folks like:
Dibs PT
Train with Becca
Rooted Resistance
Decolonizing Fitness
Non Normative Body Club
Fearless Movement Collective
Pony Club Gym
Pink Mantaray
Black Girl Pilates
Alien Athlete
Q Grit Fitness
Non Conforming Fitness
Harlan Lifts
These are just some of the folks around. There are many more out there but if...
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