Gym invitation for children criticised

AN INVITATION from a Dublin gym to girls as young as 12 to visit for “figure analysis” has been described by the National Parents Council as “stunning and concerning”.

Rose Tully, spokeswoman for the NPC post-primary, was responding to a postal invitation, sent from the Lime Street branch of the Curves gym chain in Dublin’s city centre, to national school principals in the area. Curves gyms are aimed at women.

The letter, which was received in schools last week, reads: “Curves is delighted to invite you, your employees and your students aged 12+ for a free tour and figure analysis. The first 10 people to sign up pay no joining fee.”

Ms Tully said she was “stunned” when she first heard of the invitation, to include children as well as adults.

“It’s hard to know what someone would be thinking sending out that. I would be concerned about young girls getting caught up in the whole area of being over-concerned about their weight.”

Aodháin Ó Riordán, principal of St Laurence O’Toole’s girls’ national school in Sheriff Street, was one of those who received the invitation from Curves.

“I was appalled. We would have girls in that age group here in sixth class.

“Our job in education is to build young people’s self esteem, to nurture their positive feelings about themselves, to encourage them to know that they are fine whatever size they are.”

When contacted, the Curves branch manager was not available over three consecutive days.

However, a member of staff, who did not give her name, said the offer was “not only for slimming” but was for “toning and strengthening”.

“Using the machines which run on hydraulics involves pushing and pulling which can strengthen, and prevent osteoporosis.”

Curves International gyms operate on a franchise basis and operate in over 60 countries. According to the Curves website there are branches in 22 counties throughout the State, including 22 branches in Dublin, eight in Co Cork and two in Co Galway.

Several, including the Lime Street branch, have been awarded the “shining star” accolade. A “shining star” branch is one that has been recognised by Curves International as an elite club.

A spokeswoman for Curves in Ireland said the invitation from Lime Street branch was a “one-off”. It was not policy to invite children to the gyms.

She said teenage girls were welcome to use the facilities as long as they are mature enough.

“Sometimes mothers ask can they bring their daughters along, and I am talking about 16- and 17- year-olds, and as long as they are healthy enough to they are welcome but it is absolutely not policy to have children in the gyms.”