In today’s media dominant society there always has been a pressure for us all to look a certain way. Young girls are being fed that they need to be a certain size to be accepted or just fit in. But out of the population how many of us fit in to this viewpoint bought on just by the media. They have and will continue to airbrush and photoshop pictures to make this ideal continue to be the norm in their eyes. Most woman are over a size 12. In fact, a size 14/16 is the average size in the UK.
So with this In mind why do fitness companies think they have to use this media ideal image and use a size 6/8 woman with no curves that would even look good in a bin bag!

Most woman that work out are a size 16+ but why is fitness clothing designed for those that are under a size 12?

Just one example of bright clothing going up to the UK average size UK 14/16. 

I am a curvy size 12, I am a fitness presenter, trainer and instructor and I can struggle to find clothes to fit me, leggings that stay up, tops that are long enough and stay long during the workout and not ride up to cover my stomach which most woman are paranoid about and want to cover, me being one. Having nice pretty sports bras for us ladies who are top heavy and where we don’t have to wear 2, due to the pretty ones not being supportive enough for us ladies who have a cleavage and who do not want 2 black eyes at the end of the workout! And us instructors who teach most nights of the week who need to strap them in for this and also so we do not suffer from back pain. 

  Me with a few of my class participants who struggle to find bright clothing to fit them. But they can find bright trainers!

Most of my class participants are of a certain size which I love – they are working out to achieve their goals whatever they are. But they all have asked me the same question. ‘Where can we buy funky cheap bright fitness clothing from?’ and this is true. Most leggings are over £30 and if you are a larger lady who is losing weight quite quickly why would you want to spend £30+ on a pair of leggings you will wear once maybe twice a week for about a month maybe 2 max as they constantly losing weight! Most plus sizing fitness wear is black or grey. Why do these companies think everyone wants to wear black or grey?! I don’t, but it is not fair that a size 12 can buy all the coloursunder the sun but if you are a size 16/18 upwards you have a choice of 2 colours!! This is not fair and shows that these companies do not think of the average fitness participant who will be a curvy larger size but they cater for the stick thin gym bunnies instead as this fits in with the ideal media norm discussed above. 

If fitness wear companies thought of the average gym user and these days, the average fitness instructor who is no longer a stick thin bean pole, but instead a healthy curvy role model then they will design clothes for this high percentage of fitness participant. Also have the normal curvy instructors model them to inspire and encourage the youth and the young adults of today of what is a healthy look. 

  3 curvy fitness instructors on stage at a zumbathon

Again another group that these companies do not think about is the disabled client or in fact instructor. How can disabled people put tight stick to your leggings on? May not want baggy harem pants due to balance or wheel chair reasons and as I, do struggle to put sports bras on and get them done up! The same can be said for trainers. Again why don’t these companies get feedback or get disabled instructors and participants to help design ranges that are easier for them to put on and wear! 

There is also a big rise in the number of older people exercising as well as instructing and again these are often curvy and who would like to look the part whilst teaching or taking part in classes yet there are no ranges for this age group! 

I have found through my group exercise classes, those ladies that are older, larger or have a condition – be it disability or other health condition they are far more comfortable in their own skin, are bold, sassy, sexy and can move especially when you put a feather boa in their hands asking them to unleash their inner divas. That’s when the younger non curvy participants often run a mile as they are not comfy in ‘unleashing their inner divas’. 

The fitness industry is changing rapidly but the clothing is being left behind as the range of participants is changing. If you’re a larger curvy lady, why do you want to wear baggy black or grey t shirts and where their kids clothing becomes the preferred preference as it’s more comfortable to wear.