Carlisle gym members - anyone else feel odd about this poster?

#1 · 11-06-2011 02:29PM #1

Hi

I'm a member in Carlisle gym and was there today for the first time in a couple of weeks. I was quite bothered by the new posters they have put up advertising their new car wash / valet service. There are posters outside the building, in the reception area, in the gym area and on the noticeboards in the ladies changing area - I noticed at least 6 of them on my way from the carpark to the changing room. The picture is of some kind of sports car with a young woman wearing something approaching bondage gear leaning on it. It's really sexualised and the message is quite clearly a "sex sells car washes" one. It's the kind of poster you used to see in male dominated environments, like a mechanics or a student house rented by a group of boys.

To my mind, I felt quite uncomfortable with it. The gym to me is not a place for sexy posters; it's a place for members to work out. I have no problem at all with relevant aspirational type posters, such as the image of a pretty woman wearing sportsgear in a pose advertising pilates classes.

I expressed my concerns to the staff member on the desk; he said he'd had a few people mention it to him but that Ben himself had authorised it so there was nothing he could do. I really don't feel happy that my gym, where I've been a member for a couple of years, is now decorated with frankly vulgar posters. I'm going to write directly to the manager and to the head office on this and if anyone else feels the same, I'd like to ask you all to complain too.

I'd be interested if anyone else who has seen it has any thoughts.

The Davestator · 11-06-2011 02:51PM

I reckon you're being a bit sensitive. Would you object to a David Beckham billboard or poster in his designer jocks or the diet coke man?
The poster worked- you noticed it and are speaking to others about it!

fiona-f · 11-06-2011 04:50PM

Thanks for your reply. I wonder have you actually seen the poster I'm referring to though? It seems to be of a different order to that you'd normally see in advertising. In fact I can't imagine any mainstream newspaper / magazine / billboard publishing it; it's definitely more men's magazine territory than a standard advert with a sexy girl / boy in it.

I suppose the point I'm trying to make is that gyms can be an intimidating place for women, often on here you see beginners reassured that "don't worry, no-one is looking at you, they're far too busy concentrating on their own workout to care what anybody else looks like". And that message might well get lost if the walls are adorned in a poster that looks a bit like an ad for a soft porn movie. A gym should be and look welcoming to all its members and to my mind, having it look a bit like a frat boy house bothers me.

I see your point on the no-such-thing-as-bad-publicity bit although I wonder if that is really true - I know for example I actively avoid Harvey Norman because their radio ads drive me crazy and I definitely won't be getting my car washed during my workout!

Hanley · 11-06-2011 05:22PM

Can you show us the poster? For ehhh... our review. Yes. Review.

fiona-f · 11-06-2011 05:37PM

Indeed, I'll take a pic only if you promise to study it carefully and in great detail! :cool: I'm sure you probably think my post is some sort of elaborate scam by Carlisle to attract new people in!

Seriously though, I genuinely think it's a bad move for women members of this gym, particularly for women who might be less confident about using a gym and likely to be completely turned off a healthy lifestyle by this, so I'm trying to do something about it and would love if anyone else who feels the same way might also make their feelings known to the management.

Hanley · 11-06-2011 06:01PM

Tbh.... Carlise's so cheap and there's not much else around that I doubt they'll lose any members from it. Might even gain some dudes.

The Davestator · 12-06-2011 09:10AM

Anything that causes ben Dunne to lose members is great in my opinion.

Op- you clearly feel strongly about it so let us know what response you get from management.

Dotcomdolly · 13-06-2011 10:59AM

Well someone was listening because the lady is no longer a feature of the poster

fiona-f · 13-06-2011 06:52PM

Oh that's really good, thanks for that info Dotcomdolly, I think it's definitely a positive step that shows the gym can be respectful of all of its members (will see for myself tomorrow!). Thanks to everyone for giving their point of view as well and to anyone who might have made their views known to the staff/management.

Carlisle gym members - anyone else feel odd about this poster?

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