Melbourne gym slammed for fatphobic model casting ad looking for women sized small or extra small
Gym labeled fatphobic after ‘sickening’ call went viral: ‘I don’t even want to work out anymore’
- A gym is under fire for being ‘fatphobic’
- They placed an ad looking for female models size XS
A small detail in a gym’s ad looking for models to promote their new clothing range has caused an uproar for being “fat-phobic” and lacking in size inclusiveness.
The gym chain posted a message online looking for female models between a size extra small and a small.
Hundreds were confused by the size requirement that labeled it “nauseating” and unfair to gym-goers larger than a size eight.
Not everyone was offended, however, pointing out that plus size models may already be included or casters are trying to find people who fit sample sizes.
The gym in question has clarified that the post was a ‘miscommunication’ and that they were looking for models of a certain size based on the clothes their suppliers had made available to them.
The report from an Australian gym seeking female XS-S models has divided opinion. Many thought the size requirement was “fatphobic,” while others jumped to the gym’s defense
“What about size inclusiveness?” one of the gym’s members wrote online with a screenshot of the flyer temporarily posted to his Instagram story.
“We are looking for male and female eCommerce models to shoot our new apparel – Melbourne based,” the message from the Melbourne-based gym read.
It added that they were targeting medium-sized male models and female models that fit an XS or S.
The woman’s post quickly generated hundreds of comments, with many sharing their outrage at the “sickening” detail.
“Yikes, they actually put this on the internet,” said one woman, while another wrote, “I hate it here. How hard is it to just support inclusivity?’.
“Because people still don’t like us fat people, especially gyms,” a third replied.
“As if people bigger than a size small don’t wear gym clothes?????” added a fourth.
Many defended the fitness brand and saw no problem in wanting smaller models.
“I’m a fat girl and honestly this isn’t that serious or offensive. More important things to worry about!’ a woman responded.
“It’s really not that deep, they’re probably modeling sample size,” a second agreed.
“This could be for a variety of reasons, when it comes to merchandise sampling they may have just gotten those sizes or they may have already shot other sizes,” explains a third.
“It’s also a gym, so they’ll most likely want to promote ‘fitter’ people.”
Sample sizes refers to clothing sent by brands and designers for press, modeling and PR purposes.
They are normally made in petite sizes, ostensibly to save money on fabric, but have been criticized for not representing average body types.
Those angry with the gym’s post were unconvinced by the defenders’ apology with a saying, “The fact that there are so many ‘what ifs’!” Rather than just supporting body inclusion, I find it baffling.”
The gym has been accused of not supporting diversity (stock image)
“I need a follow up when they post photos from their model call because the number of people here assuming they’ve already shot plus size is sweet, but most likely wrong,” wrote a second.
A spokesperson for the gym said the post was a “miscommunication” and was not intended to exclude anyone or insinuate negative stereotypes.
They said they had only received items in extra small and small from their supplier in the yet-to-be-released clothing range, despite being asked for a range of sizes.