Nike Plus Sized Clothing
Nike has recently expanded their offering of athletic clothing by creating a Women’s Plus Sized Clothing line. Nike announced this news on March 3rd, with the statement, “Athletes have a desire to get the best fit and function in their apparel. They also want to feel good. This is why Nike is delivering the most robust range of sizes for women in more colors and styles than ever before. From a 1X to 3X, Nike’s expanded Plus Size collection is crafted to ensure the perfect fit at every size.” They’ve also released a short video of an interview with someone wearing the new clothing.
What does the Internet think about this move by Nike?
What is supposed to be a positive and uplifting move by Nike has been met with an absolute tidal wave of hatred from the mean spirited trolls of the internet. Many of these people are claiming that Nike is being “bent to the PC (politically correct) crowd,” or that Nike is “promoting obesity and unhealthy lifestyles” as some wonderful and scholarly twitter posts have shown us. (Note: I was going to share screenshots of the tweets, but I really don’t even want to dignify that kind of ignorance). There are people on the internet that are legitimately upset that Nike is catering to larger people. Besides the fact that these angry folks clearly need a hug from Mom, they are completely missing the point with this entire campaign.
This is a GREAT Idea.
What is the hardest part about working out? Getting started. It’s incredibly intimidating. I remember the first time I stepped into the gym… I was discouraged and overwhelmed by the thought of even being there, and I wasn’t even plus sized! I was minus sized! When someone makes the decision that they are going to step into the gym and start working on their fitness, one of the first things they are going to do is go and get workout clothes. Everyone needs good workout clothes! Now just think about this for a second… these people have already gathered up the courage to start working towards a healthier lifestyle, but now they’re faced with the task of finding some appropriate workout clothes that fit them properly. They go to the store, and the biggest size these women can find is large? How unbelievably deflating. More often than not, this is going to cause extreme self-doubt, and send them right back to square one. Limiting workout clothes selection to already fit people isn’t helping the world be a healthier place.
This will create a less intimidating avenue to enter into a health and wellness lifestyle.
Now that Nike has created a clothing line where everyone knows they can get high quality and comfortable workout clothes, making that next step of either getting to the gym, bootcamp, CrossFit classes, or whatever they decide to do is going to be that much easier and LESS intimidating. It’s really easy for people who have never had to go through this process to scoff at it all and tell the plus size community to “grow a thicker skin” and just go workout… but until you have been on the other end of the camera when some gym-bro is trying to shame you for working out, you’ll never know the actual struggle. Which, by the way, if you video people in the gym without their knowledge, especially if they are struggling, you’re a supreme douche-magoo. Cut that out. Less intimidation is paramount if we are going to help people get to a healthier way of life.
This does NOT promote obesity.
These were my favorite comments… Nike, as an athletic apparel company, is promoting obesity? **slams head on desk** PLEASE. Nike is doing nothing of the sort. Nike is promoting the ability to be comfortable in your workout clothes while striving for change. If you’ve been a fitness fanatic for awhile, there’s no doubt in how good it feels to have some new workout swag! Everyone deserves to have that same ability and feeling, especially if they are trying to work hard and change their life.
One of my goals in life is to bring fitness to all, no matter their race, gender, height, weight, ability level, etc. This is a MASSIVE step forward in making that happen. While Lululemon is my workout clothing of choice (have you ever squatted in their shorts? AMAZING!), I tip my hat to the company in Oregon. Thank you so much for making the health and fitness world a little more accessible for a lot more people.
To anyone reading this who might be afraid or intimidated by starting a new fitness journey, PLEASE email me. [email protected]. I want to help you.
To my friends and acquaintances, the last thing anyone needs when starting a new journey is to be ridiculed or shamed. Show these people unconditional support whenever they decide to take their new journey. Obesity and diabetes are the enemy, not each other.
-Clark Hibbs
9 down, 22 to go.
#YouCanDoThis
