It’s all about creating a more welcoming environment to battle the bulge and drop the excess weight.
At Downsize Fitness health clubs, the treadmills are wider, the head trainers are weight-loss veterans and new members must be at least 50 pounds (22.7 kgs) overweight.
Francis Wisniewski, a hedge fund manager, started Downsize Fitness in 2011, when he was struggling to lose weight and found himself intimidated by one-size-fits-all gyms.
“I figured if I was uncomfortable, a lot of people must be. Overweight people feel like they’re on display,” said Wisniewski, who has gyms in Dallas and Chicago.
