What were they thinking?
A gym in the UK are getting in a bit of trouble for their inappropriate advert encouraging people to sign up. We’re all for a joke on a billboard but this one is just ridiculous.
The gym in Derbyshire had an advert which contained the words, “Tired of being… fat & ugly? Just be ugly from £14.99 per month.”
Fit4Less: An offensive or humorous billboard poster for gym membership? pic.twitter.com/3FkAsdFGnW
— Man in Black (@69mib) August 9, 2016
It’s not the first time this branch of gyms have used an unusual way to attract new clients with their last advert reading, “They’re coming… and when they arrive they’ll take the fat ones first.”
#Fit4Less gym in England uses this billboard. #Fitness #Aliens #Gym pic.twitter.com/xsdSV8uFTi
— Elizabeth Ross (@lions725) April 4, 2016
Natalie Harvey, the founder of a local charity, Combat Bullying, which aims to stop bullying, has spoken out about the latest billboard and told the BBC, “I don’t understand why we are using these kinds of advertising. It’s almost like shaming people.”
She added, “If it’s near a pub or where adults frequent I’m not bothered, but it’s a big poster outside a family supermarket.”
Where is the @thereaIbanksy when you need him?! Would love some positive helpful art to cover this filth up! pic.twitter.com/iTbqrZmIWR
— Natalie Harvey (@natharvey77) August 5, 2016
The gym released their own statement saying:
“Fit4less is a brand that doesn’t take itself too seriously, the campaign is intended to be seen as light-hearted fun and we certainly don’t mean to cause offence.
By adopting a light-hearted approach we can reach a wider audience and gain the attention of people who wouldn’t usually respond to traditional gym advertising.”
