University Criticized for Banning Weight Scale At Gym

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By Amber Randall

A Canadian university is under fire after it removed the weight scale at its gym last week.

Carleton University replaced the scale with a sign explaining that the removal is “in keeping with current fitness and social trends,” reports Heat Street.

Bruce Marshall, the manager of health and wellness programs at the college, explained that they removed the scale because it’s not healthy to constantly measure weight.

“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,” Marshall said.

Some students have come out against the move, claiming that the college is being overly sensitive.

Aaron Bens, a communication and media studies student, found the decision to be “frustrating.”

“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 to CBC News.

Other students agreed with Bens, saying that the scale can be necessary for athletes to use.

“We shouldn’t remove something because some people abuse it,” another student said. “If they can’t handle the number that shows up on the scale then don’t step on it.”

A freshman at the university, Samar El Faki, agreed with taking the scale away.

“Scales are very triggering,” she said. “I think people are being insensitive because they simply don’t understand. They think eating disorders are a choice when they are actually a serious illness.”

Due to the outrage, the college gym might consider bringing back the scale.

“We will weigh the pros and cons and may reconsider our decision,” Marshall said.

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