A PERSONAL trainer has apologised after being accused of fat shaming on social media.

Matt Cowell, who works at Fitness First in Chineham, shared a cartoon of an obese wheelchair-bound woman criticising a slim female for not wearing a face covering.

In a speech bubble, the obese woman says: “Put a mask on! You’re putting my health at risk.”

Fitness First member Cami Cameron described the post as insensitive and said it could put over-weight people off wanting to go to the gym. 

Mr Cowell told The Gazette he apologised immediately after he received a complaint and deleted the post.

Cami said the image, as well as an earlier story Mr Cowell shared about obesity in England, had left her feeling uncomfortable and insinuated fat people were lazy. 

The 40-year-old woman, from Basingstoke, said: "I feel these messages were fat shaming, even if there was no intention to it.

"I want personal trainers to think you are more than fat. Fat doesn’t equal lazy.

“I’m obese, I also have hidden disabilities, depression, anxiety, PTSD and I go to the gym six to seven days a week and run three times a week.”

Cami said there are "so many reasons" why people are obese. She said: "I over-eat as a way of self-harm but my doctor doesn’t challenge because it’s better than cutting."

After experiencing fat shaming at gyms, including Fitness First, she said she only feels able to do classes. 

She said: “I do avoid working out in the main part of the gym [at Fitness First] because sometimes there is an atmosphere of negativity.”

Basingstoke Gazette: Personal trainer Matt Cowell shared this cartoon to his Instagram storyPersonal trainer Matt Cowell shared this cartoon to his Instagram story

Cami said she believes fat shaming is not the right way to go about getting people into the gym.

She said such posts are “scary” when you’re overweight. She said Mr Cowell’s posts are more likely to put off obese people rather than encourage.

While areas of the gym feel uncomfortable for Cami, she praised the exercise classes at Fitness First.

She said: “The two instructors at my classes never make anyone feel out of place or embarrassed. In fact, because of them, I have been empowered.”

Mr Cowell said he replied immediately and apologised, adding his initial intention was not to offend.

He said: “After the member contacted me, I replied immediately to apologise for any offence caused and stated that certainly wasn’t my intention.

Basingstoke Gazette: Basingstoke woman Cami Cameron said the post has left her feeling uncomfortable Basingstoke woman Cami Cameron said the post has left her feeling uncomfortable

The personal trainer continued: “In line with the government’s recent initiatives encouraging people to be more conscious of their weight and body composition because of the proven direct correlation to increased negative effects of Covid-19, I share content linked to that topic from time to time.

“I realise this area is particularly challenging and can be sensitive for some people, and so in an effort to help, I regularly provide free resources and encouragement for how people can improve this area of their lives.”

Mr Cowell said he tries to be a supportive voice to those undergoing health and fitness transformations, explaining: “I have been working with clients for a number of years and am very passionate about helping people make healthier lifestyle choices to improve their overall health and wellbeing.

He said: "I not only support my clients through this, but regularly feature content available to everyone that is aimed to encourage and motivate in this area. I realise the gym can be an intimidating place for many people and always make a conscious effort to create a friendly and positive environment.

Basingstoke Gazette: Personal trainer Matt Cowell works at Fitness First in ChinehamPersonal trainer Matt Cowell works at Fitness First in Chineham

He continued: “I have a number of clients at various stages of their health and fitness journey and am more passionate than ever to help them all become even healthier so in the unfortunate event they get Covid-19, they are as healthy as then can be to fight it off and recover from this awful virus.”

Fat shaming is the action or practice of humiliating someone judged to be fat or overweight by making mocking or critical comments about their size.

Almost two thirds of adults in the England were overweight or obese in 2017 and with 48 per cent of people saying they have gained weight during lockdown, obesity is rapidly becoming a hot topic on the national agenda.

However, opinions are divided on how to best tackle the problem. When US television presenter Bill Maher last year called for fat shaming to make a “come back”, it ignited a conversation about the subject.

Jane Ogden, professor of health psychology at the University of Surrey, said evidence shows the process of fat shaming an individual only makes individuals feel worse and can lead to weight gain.

“All the evidence is that fat shaming just makes people feel worse. It lowers their self-esteem. It makes them feel depressed and anxious and as a result of that what they then do is self-destructive,” she told The BBC.

Fitness First, based at Chineham Business Park, reopened today (Saturday, July 25) for the first time since lockdown measures were introduced.

The health and fitness centre has a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Google with more than 177 positive reviews.