Taking Up Space: Fat-shaming at BC?

The fat-shaming work-out culture can be seen at most any gym. The Seabury Gym, here at Berea College, is one that I had hoped would not be included; however, this month there have been many social media posts about people taking up space in the gym and the desire for these “outsiders” to clear out of the space sooner than later. The spark that ignited the surplus of posts follows:

“Can it be March yet? I need all the New Year’s resolution-ers to get off the treadmill. Watching the treadmill be taken by walkers is by far the most frustrating part of January.”

While this comment does not mention or call anyone names, it does fail to assert why it is a problem for new lifestyles to begin at the gym. Despite this, the original post and the comments that followed it provided the answer. The issue with the increased gym usage was that of how the equipment was being used and by whom. Why would the appearance of a person allow them more ownership of gym space? Or the rate or method in which they utilize the equipment?

Representational of very un-Berean ideals, this fat-phobic mentality is one that is not only wrong but discriminatory and assumptive. This method of fat-shaming does nothing to motivate new gym-goers, but rather makes people feel even more negativity towards themselves, eat more, exercise less, and inevitably gain even more weight. Respect and dignity are two things that all people deserve. I would think that at Berea we would see that we’re “of one blood—all peoples of the earth.”

From being pointed to and laughed at to being photographed and recorded, those at Seabury who are “unfit” endure a lot of hardship and anguish in order to work on their health and wellness. Despite there being many “fat” athletes in both the collegiate and professional sports, these body types are not celebrated. To be judged upon character and other notable attributes, is the way in which wellness and athletes should be umpired.

After a comment that commanded that the walkers “move upstairs to the track,” an additional Berea student noted that “watching the track team take up the indoor track is by far the most frustrating part of winter.” This is something else that new gym attendees have to face: competitive athletes. While it can be motivating to see what the human body is capable of, it can also be disheartening and impossible for some to share gym space with high performance athletes—if the space to do so is available at all.

While there may not always be space available for everyone at Seabury, “Seabury should be a place where all feel welcome” a victim of ridicule advised recently. Just as this person has personally and publicly determined, the best way in which to combat the contempt of others is to assert through action: I’m going to take my time, claim my space, and no one is going to stop me.