The Gizzy YMCA has apologised and removed a line from a gym etiquette post after they received a huge amount of backlash on social media saying it was “body shaming”.
YMCA Gisborne Fitness made a post with a gym etiquette poster this month and said it was just a bit of fun, however, others did not agree.
Obviously there were standard gym etiquette rules advising people to re-rack weights, sanitise and clean equipment and not to sit on machines and text.
However, social media users were drawn to one line under the “wear appropriate workout gear” that said “dress for the body you have and not the body you want”.
One called the line “disgraceful”, while another described it as “absolutely disgusting”.
Others commented the poster did not fit with YMCA core values, which include “caring” and “respect”.
In response TMCA Gisborne Fitness said on social media that the intention of the poster was to “bring awareness using a comical post” and that “not all people share our humour”.
Acting Gisborne YMCA Chief Executive Lara Meyer said in a statement that it valued and appreciated the community feedback and understood the concerns raised about the poster’s tone.
“The Y is committed to upholding the values of our organisation and we always strive to reflect this in all that we do,”
“We have carefully reviewed the poster and acknowledge that certain elements of the wording may have unintentionally caused offence to some people. We believe that feedback from the community is crucial in helping us improve and grow,” Meyer said.
Alterations have been made to the poster in response to the concerns raised and comments on the Facebook post were closed to “ensure a constructive and respectful dialogue moving forward”.
The controversial line was removed but the rest of the poster stayed the same.
Photo Credit: NZ Herald
