Reclaiming Movement — An Example Conversation in “Finding Fat Joy”
Reclaiming Movement — An Example Conversation in “Finding Fat* Joy”
From the outside, the fitness spaces market as universal, “for all.” But for many fat folks, these spaces don’t feel neutral; they feel observed, judged, or simply not built with them in mind.
Walk into a typical gym and notice who the walls, ads, and trainers represent. You will see assumptions embedded in equipment sizing and locker room layouts.
The gatekeeping doesn’t stop at the gym door.
You find it accessing gear that fits and performs. Or, a well-designed bike that supports higher weights. A kayak with a comfortable, accessible cockpit. Wide athletic shoes that aren’t an afterthought. A sports bra that provides support. These aren’t luxuries, they are basic entry points. The scarcity of these options sends a clear message: these activities don’t include me.
Even in spaces that claim inclusiveness, barriers can persist. An instructor may guide a class with care and intention, but still not know how to adapt movements for different bodies. When modifications aren’t normalized, they can feel like exceptions instead of valid ways of moving.
All of this contributes to a deeply internalized belief: I need to change my body before I can participate. Not because movement itself is inherently inaccessible, but because people have shaped the spaces where movement “counts” around narrow expectations.
In “Finding Fat Joy,” we ask:
What if movement wasn’t something you had to earn access to?
What if movement was allowed to be joyful, exploratory, and available right now, in the body you have today?
We will explore and share resources that challenge barriers and reimagine what fitness spaces can look like, if movement is something you want. Inclusive classes, outdoor accessible programs and gear as well as size-diverse activewear brands that expand the definition of who belongs. Ones that center comfort, adaptability, and representation.
More importantly, these resources can offer something many people have been denied: permission.
Permission to take up space.
Permission to move without apology.
Permission to experience joy in a body that doesn’t need fixing first.
“Finding Fat Joy” isn’t just about identifying the barriers, it’s about building pathways through them. It is uncovering tools and communities that affirm rather than exclude. It is recognizing that the problem was never a body, but a lack of access.
And it is also recognizing this: you don’t owe movement to anyone.
It’s important to name this clearly: movement is not a requirement. Not everyone wants to engage in movement, regardless of access—and that lack of interest isn’t a moral failing. Choosing not to engage in movement is a valid experience, not something that needs fixing or overcoming. This conversation isn’t about trying to “get people moving”; it instead focuses on the structural, cultural, and personal barriers that can stand in the way of movement for those who are interested.
If it’s something you’re curious about, you don’t need to become someone else to explore it, you might just need spaces that open the doors to where you are. If you’re interested in this conversation and others like it, join us for our Finding Fat Joy group starting on April 29th. Learn more and apply here.
DISCLAIMER We use the word “fat” here as a neutral descriptor of a person’s body. Just like we would use “tall” or “short” to describe someone’s height. We use the words “fat” and “thin” to describe the spectrum of shapes and sizes. It’s akin to curvy, plus-size, ample, large. It is not a “bad” word, an insult, or reference to a person’s character. Using this word to describe a body is a bit of a radical move for people, to reclaim and reframe a word that had previously elicited so much shame. We recognize there are people in this world who use it as an insult or a derogatory term. But as a weight inclusive practice with a strong social justice lens, it’s our effort to create a shift in power.
