Advocating for eating disorder informed fitness spaces.
In a society that relentlessly promotes health and fitness - and with social media flooded with conflicting messages about food and exercise - it’s easy to mistake disordered relationships with your body, movement, and eating as “wellness.”
But in the process, we’ve lost track of what health truly means.
We’re here to change that.
Our mission is to see every gym and fitness space become eating disorder-informed. We’re campaigning for mandatory training, safeguards, and resources across the fitness industry - so staff are equipped to recognise the warning signs of eating disorders and compulsive exercise, support members safely, and protect against harm.
Eating disorders are the deadliest mental illness, yet in the UK treatment wait times average 3.5 years
Over 4% of the population is affected, with hospital admissions rising 122% in the past decade.
Pervasive diet and fitness culture, amplified by social media, normalises disordered behaviours as desirable.
Gyms and fitness spaces have no safeguards in place — people are slipping through the gaps, and lives are being lost.
what’s our why?
Eating disorders are serious, complex illnesses that profoundly affect both health and quality of life.
It’s estimated that every 52 minutes, someone loses their life to an eating disorder.
The
gap
There’s already specialist staff training available for schools and universities - vital settings for early intervention. However, nothing yet exists for gyms.
This is a clear gap, and one we are determined to close.
CREATING CHANGE
We’re working with Beat, the UK’s leading eating disorder charity, to develop a specialised training programme for gym & fitness staff. This training will:
Educate staff on eating disorders and compulsive exercise.
What are eating disorders? Who is affected? How do they present?
Training provides a clear understanding of how eating disorders and compulsive exercise show up in fitness spaces - helping staff recognise risks that are often hidden in plain sight.
Equip them to recognise early warning signs.
Excessive training? Repeated injuries? Becoming withdrawn?
Staff will learn how to identify subtle patterns and behaviours that signal someone may be struggling, making it possible to intervene early when it matters most.
Empower them to signpost people to the right support.
When to step in? What to say? How to raise concerns sensitively?
Empowerment means giving staff clear answers to the questions they’re already asking - what to say, when to say it, and how to approach concerns with care. Training provides the words, the timing, and the confidence to act safely and compassionately - directing people to evidence-based support services and resources.
be part of the change
be part of the change
We’re fundraising to cover the initial development costs of this training programme, in partnership with Beat.
Every donation brings us closer to safer, more supportive gyms and fitness spaces across the UK.
