University faces backlash after scale removed from gym

[Deleted]

Carleton University faces backlash after scale removed from gym

'Those who are offended by the scale can simply choose not to use the scale.'

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/o...ersy-1.4021378



Carleton University is feeling the burn from students on social media for removing a weight scale from its gym to promote a more holistic approach to a healthy body image.

The recent move isn't sitting well with several students who are accusing the school of kowtowing to a small group of gym users who are easily offended.

"Next it will be the mirrors. #bringbackthescale," wrote one Carleton student on Facebook, while another said online, "Are you for real, Carleton? What a sick joke."

Details of the scale controversy were first reported in the university's student-run newspaper, The Charlatan, on Thursday. In more social media reaction, others wondered if the online article was satire.

The paper quotes one student as saying, "Scales are very triggering" for people with eating disorders.

University 'may reconsider' decision to remove scale from gym

In an email to CBC News, Bruce Marshall, manager of wellness programs at Carleton, said it was the recreation and athletics department's decision to remove the scale and that it wasn't based on complaints.

Following three days of online backlash from students, Marshall told CBC, "we will weigh the pros and cons and may reconsider our decision."

The scale was removed two weeks ago "in keeping with current fitness and social trends," Marshall explained in his email.

"Although it can be used as a tool to help measure certain aspects of fitness it does not provide a good overall indication of health and here at athletics we have chosen to move away from focusing solely on bodyweight," he said.

"If you need a number to focus on in regard to reaching certain fitness goals we suggest using girth measurements. You can start by recording measurements in multiple areas, for example your torso, hips, chest, legs and arms. You would then revisit these measurements after a few weeks to keep tabs on your progress."

While many students have come out against the move, a few have applauded the gym for considering those with issues managing their weight.

In 2015, gym staff at the California State University removed its weight scales from locker rooms for one day in honour of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

Weight scale 'vital' for boxers, rowers, student says

Aaron Bens, a communication and media studies student at Carleton, wrote to CBC that he is "frustrated" by the university's decision, which he argues is "the next escalation of trigger culture."

"We stand up for free speech and defend the books that offend certain people because of their merits. They can simply choose not to read them. This is the same thing. Those who are offended by the scale can simply choose not to use the scale," Bens wrote.

"Certain athletes like boxers and rowers rely on those measurements, for them the [scale] is vital."

Aidan Patten, a 21-year-old Carleton music student, said the scale controversy is generating some heated debate among his friends.

"A lot of people are just saying it's ridiculous, over the top. A lot of people lifting weights want to keep track of their weight. And then there's a few others that are disagreeing and saying it's more to remove the idea of people being obsessed over their weight," Patten said in an interview.

Gym should have consulted members first: student

"If it's part of a trend, then I guess they're being trendy. But I personally *– yeah it's too far."

The online outrage surrounding the issue is misplaced, according to Cameron Wales. The public affairs and policy management student said he understands Marshall's rationale, but said the university should have consulted with gym members before doing away with the scale.

"Certainly those groups who are affected by the scale being removed I would expect that they are being consulted on this decision and if they're not, that might have been an error on the part of the university," said Cameron, 21.

"It sounds like people on both sides – not that this issue necessarily has to have sides – there are concerns from people with different perspectives and those should all be addressed through consultation as best as possible."

[Ryme]

Moronic, but at least they're hearing the growing unrest of the other side.

[Jonuts]

Yea, this is incredibly stupid. It's a freaking gym. What kind of brain dead idiot thought this was a good idea? Fuck it. Lets get rid of everything that triggers people who want to take no personal responsibility, ever.

/triggered

[Deleted]

Next thing to be removed: mirrors!
And then make door openings wider, so people get the impression they are fit.

[Machismo]

Personally, I never cared if there was a scale in the gym. I go to a gym to work out, not to check my weight.

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Yea, this is incredibly stupid. It's a freaking gym. What kind of brain dead idiot thought this was a good idea? Fuck it. Lets get rid of everything that triggers people who want to take no personal responsibility, ever.

/triggered

Apparently, not having a scale just triggered a lot of people... ironic.

[Deleted]

Personally, I never cared if there was a scale in the gym. I go to a gym to work out, not to check my weight.

Apparently, not having a scale just triggered a lot of people... ironic.

Considering it's a University and as such probably has athletic programs, a Scale is extremely important for things like Boxing ( you know, weight classes? ) and Rowing and other sports where you want to minimize weight while ensuring strength.

But the bigger issue here is that it's a representation of "feelings over facts" A scale is an objective standard of measurement, it represents reality, Banning the Scale proves these people want to deny reality.

[Jonuts]

Personally, I never cared if there was a scale in the gym. I go to a gym to work out, not to check my weight.

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Apparently, not having a scale just triggered a lot of people... ironic.

You dare mock my pain?

/doubletriggered


Jokes aside though, I stand by opinion that removing scales is stupid, because they're pretty useful.

[Machismo]

You dare mock my pain?

/doubletriggered


Jokes aside though, I stand by opinion that removing scales is stupid, because they're pretty useful.

It's better than when they remove people for making noises when they are lifting heavy weights... yeah, I'm looking at you, Planet Fitness.

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Considering it's a University and as such probably has athletic programs, a Scale is extremely important for things like Boxing ( you know, weight classes? ) and Rowing and other sports where you want to minimize weight while ensuring strength.

But the bigger issue here is that it's a representation of "feelings over facts" A scale is an objective standard of measurement, it represents reality, Banning the Scale proves these people want to deny reality.

I also find it was odd to get rid of the scale, just as I found it unnecessary to use one whilst at the gym. I also tend to look in the mirror, and use ellipticals significantly less than most people.

[ItachiZaku]

Yea, this is incredibly stupid. It's a freaking gym. What kind of brain dead idiot thought this was a good idea? Fuck it. Lets get rid of everything that triggers people who want to take no personal responsibility, ever.

/triggered

Growing more and more towards Equilibrium. I can't wait for Christian Bale and Ned Stark to start raiding villages for their emotion inducing books and poems.

[Jonuts]

It's better than when they remove people for making noises when they are lifting heavy weights... yeah, I'm looking at you, Planet Fitness.

To be fair, that's a Planet Fitness, not a gym. That's like an adult complaining about being removed from a McDonalds play pen.

[Machismo]

To be fair, that's a Planet Fitness, not a gym. That's like an adult complaining about being removed from a McDonalds play pen.

Well played.

[Self Inflicted Wounds]

What the actual fuck. Triggered by a scale?

[Deletedaccount1]

Pretty indefensible action. If you don't like your weight, don't weight yourself or better yet, change it.

[Draco-Onis]

Yea, this is incredibly stupid. It's a freaking gym. What kind of brain dead idiot thought this was a good idea? Fuck it. Lets get rid of everything that triggers people who want to take no personal responsibility, ever.

/triggered

I am confused who is dumb enough to weight themselves at the gym? no offense but what is the point of doing that.

[Self Inflicted Wounds]

I am confused who is dumb enough to weight themselves at the gym? no offense but what is the point of doing that.

Did you read the post? Boxers, rowers, etc.

[zenkai]

I am confused who is dumb enough to weight themselves at the gym? no offense but what is the point of doing that.

If you weigh yourself at the gym at the same time of day it isn't a bad away to track your weight gain/loss, but yeah I do agree you don't need a scale at the gym.

[Ozzyorcborne]

Removing scales so that the fatties can have a valid reason to remain fatties.....thats a new low from humankind. In all fairness though, i dont see why they should. The creatures that would get triggered by weighing scales probably cant even waddle themselves onto a treadmill, let alone fit through the door, all the while wheezing "im beautiful the way I am". What next? Ban the bench press because it triggers leg day freaks?

[Draco-Onis]

If you weigh yourself at the gym at the same time of day it isn't a bad away to track your weight gain/loss, but yeah I do agree you don't need a scale at the gym.

Changes in weight are better measured in terms of 1-2 weeks unless you are on a extreme diet like a professional athlete but yeah it seems weird to me too to have it. The gym I went to never had a scale and I never bothered with it since I had one at home.

[Revi]

Remove everything that could possible 'trigger' negative feelings or doubt in children and young adults. Excellent way to grow a generation of people with no mental resilience to hardship or conflict, and really soar to new heights in numbers of depression and anxiety sufferers.

Like keeping kids in sterile conditions until adulthood and expecting their immune systems to be able to cope with the real world. It doesn't, it breaks and they get really really sick.

[Jonuts]

I am confused who is dumb enough to weight themselves at the gym? no offense but what is the point of doing that.

...Why wouldn't you? Sports programs where you need to worry about weight class, you lift and derive your self-worth from driving that number up, maybe you're worried about your weight and trying to drive that number down, or hell, maybe someone is just curious. Removing the scale is something I'd expect from Planet Fitness, not a gym.

Or, if you don't care at all about that number, you can not weigh yourself and go about your day.