LM Otero
Ellen Hays
Ellen Hays works out during a morning exercise class at a gym in Addison, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Downsize Fitness is a selective gym where the rule is that new members must tip the scales. New members are weighed and have their body mass index measured. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
LM Otero
Overweight Only Gyms
A gym member arrives for a morning exercise class at Downsize Fitness Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, in Addison, Texas. Downsize Fitness is a selective gym where the rule is that new members must tip the scales. New members are weighed and have their body mass index measured. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
LM Otero
Ellen Hays, Krisanne Hale
Personal trainer Krisaane Hale, right, weights Ellen Hays for a body mass index reading before working out in a morning exercise class at the Downsize Fitness gym in Addison, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Downsize Fitness is a selective gym where the rule is that new members must tip the scales. New members are weighed and have their body mass index measured. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
LM Otero
Ellen Hays, Krisanne Hale
Personal trainer Krisaane Hale, bottom, measures Ellen Hays for body mass index reading before working out in a morning exercise class at the Downsize Fitness gym in Addison, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Downsize Fitness is a selective gym where the rule is that new members must tip the scales. New members are weighed and have their body mass index measured. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
LM Otero
Overweight Only Gyms
Gym members use as treadmill to warm up for a morning exercise class at Downsize Fitness Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, in Addison, Texas. Downsize Fitness is a selective gym where the rule is that new members must tip the scales. New members are weighed and have their body mass index measured. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
LM Otero
Overweight Only Gyms
A trainer runs a morning exercise class at Downsize Fitness Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, in Addison, Texas. Downsize Fitness is a selective gym where the rule is that new members must tip the scales. New members are weighed and have their body mass index measured. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Teresa Crawford
Francis Wisniewski
In this Dec 6, 2012 photo, Downsize Fitness founder Francis Wisniewski is seen at one of his gyms in Chicago. The gym chain he started caters exclusively to people who want to lose at least 50 pounds. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford)
Posted: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 5:00 pm
Overweight-only gym fosters supportive atmosphere
Associated Press |
DALLAS (AP) — Downsize Fitness is an exclusive health club, evocative of the nation's trendiest gyms. But there's a strict requirement to join: You must be 50 pounds or more overweight.
The chain wants its members to feel comfortable while exercising, so there are no mirrors inside and the windows are fogged. Even the equipment is designed for heavier people.
Chicago entrepreneur Francis Wisnewski says he started the gym because "I've been overweight my whole life, and I was embarrassed to go to the gym myself."
The first locations opened in Chicago and Las Vegas in 2011, and expanded to Dallas in 2012.
Gym member Janie Busch said she likes the supportive atmosphere.
Krisanne Hale, a personal trainer in Dallas, is still trying to lose weight. She says that helps members relate.
© 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Tuesday, January 15, 2013 5:00 pm.
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