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Club Bounce Believes Big is Beautiful
Posted on Oct 27th 2009 4:00PM by Deborah DunhamFiled Under: Diet & Weight Loss
Step inside California's Club Bounce and you'll witness the typical party atmosphere of any nightclub. Take a closer look though, and you'll see the majority of people shaking their groove things are overweight. That's because this is a club that caters to BBW (big beautiful women) and BHM (big handsome men).
Click on the video below to learn more about Club Bounce. Story continues below the video
With some researchers predicting that 75 percent of adults could be overweight by 2015, plus-sized nightclubs like Club Bounce may be giving the majority of our population what they want most -- acceptance. Body-image expert and author of "Love Your Body, Love Your Life," Sarah Maria, says this kind of acceptance can be very powerful. "The better people feel about themselves, the more willing they are to make healthy choices. Positive changes come from a feeling of power -- not inadequacy."
One patron, Vanessa Grey, told the Associated Press she agrees. "When you're out there trying to get your dance on at those other places, you get looks, the stares. But not here. Everything's accepted here."
Some may argue that this type of club simply allows people to remain comfortable at being fat and unhealthy. Psychologist Dr. Robyn Silverman thinks this is ridiculous though. "It's wonderful that plus-sized people have a place where they feel comfortable and can get out to dance and move. Otherwise, if they feel judged, they would be more inclined to sit at home in front of the TV or computer."
What began five years ago by one woman who was tired of being "the only fat girl at the local nightclub," Club Bounce now attracts up to 400 people nightly, claiming to help people of all sizes realize they are not second-class citizens. Owner, Lisa Marie Garbo, says she doesn't think "fat" is a bad word anymore. "I think a lot of people embrace it now." Silverman agrees, "Just because some people think thin is in, doesn't mean plus-size is out."
To learn how to get fit with dance, no matter what your size, check out these tips.
Click on the video below to learn more about Club Bounce. Story continues below the video
With some researchers predicting that 75 percent of adults could be overweight by 2015, plus-sized nightclubs like Club Bounce may be giving the majority of our population what they want most -- acceptance. Body-image expert and author of "Love Your Body, Love Your Life," Sarah Maria, says this kind of acceptance can be very powerful. "The better people feel about themselves, the more willing they are to make healthy choices. Positive changes come from a feeling of power -- not inadequacy."
One patron, Vanessa Grey, told the Associated Press she agrees. "When you're out there trying to get your dance on at those other places, you get looks, the stares. But not here. Everything's accepted here."
Some may argue that this type of club simply allows people to remain comfortable at being fat and unhealthy. Psychologist Dr. Robyn Silverman thinks this is ridiculous though. "It's wonderful that plus-sized people have a place where they feel comfortable and can get out to dance and move. Otherwise, if they feel judged, they would be more inclined to sit at home in front of the TV or computer."
What began five years ago by one woman who was tired of being "the only fat girl at the local nightclub," Club Bounce now attracts up to 400 people nightly, claiming to help people of all sizes realize they are not second-class citizens. Owner, Lisa Marie Garbo, says she doesn't think "fat" is a bad word anymore. "I think a lot of people embrace it now." Silverman agrees, "Just because some people think thin is in, doesn't mean plus-size is out."
To learn how to get fit with dance, no matter what your size, check out these tips.
