I was reading a very interesting article about a gym in Canada that is specifically catering to plus size women. The article states that "Body Exchange founder and CEO Louise Green told TheProvince.com last week that she considers her gym is a “safe haven” for overweight clients."

As a plus size woman myself, I can completely understand what the founder means regarding a "safe haven" for overweight clients. It's not enough that you've allowed yourself to get to an undesireable weight, but being in the gym with the itty bitty chicks running around in only a sports bra and shorts can be a little intimidating to say the least, for some. There was once a time when I hated going to the gym because it seemed like nothing more than a "meat market" to me. Nobody was really doing much working out just going around hitting on each other day after day, week after week.

I've always been very confident as a plus size woman, but not everyone is so fortunate. I feel like if there is a gym that specifically catered to like-women, then there is more likely that plus size women will continue to come and furthermore get lots of support from their fellow gym mates.

Little did I know, Body Exchange isn't the only gym who has launched a weight-based-policy. According to the New York Daily News, similar rules exist at gyms like Buddha Body Yoga in New York City and Downsize Fitness, which has branches in Las Vegas, Chicago and Dallas. Marty Wolff, a former competitor on the reality show  The Biggest Loser, owns and operates Square One in Omaha, Nebraska which caters to people who aim to lose 50 pounds or more. ”Clients want a place where they can get fit without feeling like they’re being stared at or criticized,” he told the Daily News. “My whole life, I have always wished there was a place for other big people. So I created one.”

Would you rather workout only with other plus size women? Is a plus size only gym really necessary?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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