Do you ever feel judged when you go to the gym? It takes bravery to walk into a fitness establishment where you know there will be a good number of super-fit, sometimes intimidating people. I like to believe that most people would cheer on anyone who is working towards better health but sometimes a light shines on the judgement that exists in our body-obsessed culture.

Last week, a certain gym chain received a lot of flack for a social media picture that they removed soon after posting. Actress Abigail Breslin, who rose to fame with her role as a young beauty pageant contestant in Little Miss Sunshine, took a screenshot and posted the gym’s photo on her Instagram account.

Ms. Breslin nails it when she says, “Working out should be something you do for yourself, your health, and your mind * body, not [because] a corporation declares your body shape isn’t what girls should look like.” There is already enough pressure, especially for young women, to appear perfect at all times. Perfect bodies do not exist. While magazines may have a template for how their models should look, fitness is not “One Size Fits All”. The goal should be keeping your body, whatever your shape, healthy. Is having a pear shaped body something that you can even change? A brand that has been in the fitness business for more than 40 years should know that spot reduction is not effective. Rather than telling clients to change their inherited body shape, smart fitness companies should focus on helping clients workout as a way to love their bodies – which is exactly what the best fitness training studio in Severna Park and Millersville area does (Repke Fitness).

You should workout for you! Workout for a healthy heart. Sure, you can workout to look better, but have your own realistic standards about what your body should look like. If you have strong muscular thighs, don’t go to war with them. Use them to power bike rides on challenging trails. No matter what body shape you were born with, you can workout to improve how your body feels and functions.

The chain has since apologized for the gaffe, explaining that the affiliate’s message does not reflect their attitudes or mission. This apology may appease some clients, but if you are looking for a place to improve your health without judgement, Repke Fitness in Millersville, Maryland is ready to welcome you. We provide personal training in Glen Burnie.

As a nurse and personal trainer, Louben Repke wants you to achieve a truly healthy body. His clients will attest that he will challenge you without judging you. The studio is busy with hard-working clients, but never as chaotic as a huge corporate chain. Make an appointment today and Louben will show you how to feel good about taking care of your one and only beautiful body.

What are your thoughts about the Gold’s Gym post?