Fitness center emphasizes body positivity

An art piece on a wall at Clarity Fitness in downtown Decatur is made up of an assortment of bathroom scales—all smashed and broken. The piece represents the gym’s rejection of the traditional approach to fitness. The smashed scale wall, according to the panel next to it, symbolizes “the liberation and release when you finally trust your body over the number on the scale.”

“We don’t use such trigger words as ‘scale,’ ‘diet’ and ‘weight,’” explained Abbey Griffith, owner and founder of Clarity.

At a Jan. 4 event celebrating Clarity’s fifth anniversary, Griffith said Clarity was designed as a safe space for people with eating disorders who want to exercise in an environment where there is no pressure and no judgment. Griffin said her own struggles with food led to her creation of the concept. She said only about 50 percent of Clarity’s clients have eating disorders, the other half are simply attracted to the idea of pursuing fitness without the pressure of numerical goals.

“Some clients are referred by therapists, or healthcare professions, but many see us here in Decatur or hear about us and decide it’s right for them,” Griffith said.

“Here, people set their own goals,” Griffith continued. “Our staff members are here to help them and encourage them, but they are trained to be sensitive to each person’s emotional needs as well as their fitness routines.”

Griffin said Clarity is the only gym in Georgia with trainers specifically trained in health at every body size, body positivity, and eating disorder informed movement. Body positivity, Clarity’s brochure notes, “is a social justice movement that originated in the ‘60s for marginalized, disabled and bigger bodies. Clarity Fitness stands behind the Health at Every Size, Fat Liberation, Weigh Inclusivity advocacy work and conversations.”

Clarity helps its clients “reshape their relationship with the skin they’re in,” Griffith said, adding that the gym “takes the time to understand our members’ goals, concerns, and headspace.”

“Body image is not improved from changing the exterior. It is about seeing your body as a teammate –moving, fueling, and taking care of your body on your own terms,” the Clarity brochure notes.

Griffin said Clarity can connect those who want it with non-diet-based therapists and dieticians as desired, adding that at Clarity clients celebrate “non-scale victories.”

The posted rules at Clarity include those typically found at a gym such as “Please re-rack your weights,” and “No horseplay or inappropriate behavior,” but also include “We’re a body positive gym, meaning we’re scale, tape measure, caliper, diet talk and body-shaming free. Keep it safe and good energy for everybody and focus on what really matters” and “Leave the bad vibes at the door; this is your safe space.”

General Manager Mimi Dupree said she has been part of Clarity since before it opened. With a background in fitness and in management, Dupree said she “loves the mission” at Clarity. “Wellness is a lifelong journey, not a campaign to get to a certain place on the scales.”

Dupree said they chose the West Court Square area of downtown Decatur because it’s “an up-and-coming area with a lot of positive energy.” She helped Griffin establish a space that is “accessible, inclusive, thoughtful, and empowering.”

Soon after Clarity opened, the COVID pandemic hit and “that changed the narrative a little,” DuPree recalled. “Like nearly every other gym, we closed for a few months until we could figure out how to operate in a way that’s safe for everyone with such practices as safe distancing.” She said the business was back to normal operation at the start of 2024.

Although Clarity now has more than 200 members, crowding is not a problem, DuPree said, noting that most come throughout the day for 30- to 60-minute workouts or for 55-minute classes.

The downtown Decatur facility is currently Clarity’s only location, but Griffin said that based on its popularity, that may one day change.