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  • Writer's pictureUoW Fashion Society

Gymshark Gender Equality

In recent years, the representation of all body types within the fashion industry has become

commonplace (as it should). With a multitude of brands introducing a varied selection within

plus-size ranges to accommodate for women who feel under-represented within the clothing

industry, there has been some confusion on social media over why certain brands, namely

Gymshark, don’t seem to have the same “all bodies are beautiful” mindset when it comes to

men.


Rightly so, plus-size female models are shown, and praised, on Gymshark’s social media pages and advertisements. The brand ensures that they spread body positivity for women through the models they choose and the products they offer. It is undeniable that this is a huge win for a

gym clothing brand, where other brands have failed to be representative of all body types,

Gymshark has succeeded. Many brands have come under fire in the past for solely presenting

unrealistic body types to impressionable young females, most famously Victoria’s Secret, which

can create a negative body image for many.


Whilst Gymshark have admirably played their part in the representation of all female body types,the male models they choose for advertisements is questionable.


Below are some examples of the posts shared on Gymsharks official Instagram page…



















Even after hours of searching through the page, it is a struggle to come across a post of a male model that doesn’t have prominent abs and rippling pecs. Why is that? Why is there no variation of body type for the male range? It can be equally as damaging for men to see an overly muscular body type as it is for women to see an overly slim body type, and many people believe that it would be beneficial to represent a variation of male body types.


Should there be more effort from fashion companies to ensure that they spread body positivity

for both genders? It is difficult to keep up with the ever-changing trends and movements across

social media platforms, but it can be argued that if they can promote inclusivity in their women's department, they should be able to for menswear as well. Although some male customers argue that it doesn’t affect them, and they look up to these models as inspiration to better themselves, it is certain that not all men feel the same way. Some men may feel underrepresented and want to see their own body type reflected and praised in the media. This could have massive benefits for men's mental health, which many argue is a subject that is still not spoken about enough.


Normalise praising all body types.


Written by Freya Burgess

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