Plus Size Women Flock to Athletic Training

Fitness expert Sharon Snyder, and her company Bumblebee Fitness, are training nearly 50 plus-size women to compete in San Francisco's annual 12K run, the Bay to Breakers.

San Francisco — On January 18, nearly 50 plus-size women will meet to plan their training schedule. All of them plan to finish the San Francisco Bay to Breakers 12K event in May.

"I believe that exercise can be fun and that we can be fit at any size," says organizer Sharon Snyder, a plus-size woman with a fondness for event training. "I believe that other plus-size women would enjoy the challenge and camaraderie of training in a group for an event."

At the meeting on January 18, these women, who responded to an ad Snyder posted on Craig's List a few weeks ago, will meet for the first time. Over the course of four months, they will gather twice a month for body loosening exercises, warm-ups, walking, cool-down, and stretches. "We will also talk about gait, footwear, comfortable training clothes, and proper hydration," adds Snyder, who was stunned by the enthusiastic response she got to her ad. "I had expected maybe 15 or 20 women, but the number is now approaching 50,"

Why have plus-size women embraced this unique opportunity? "Because they've probably been subjected to fitness professionals in the past who did not understand their goals or their needs," explains Snyder, whose company, Bumblebee Fitness (www.bumblebeefitness.com) was created to give plus-size women an alternative to one-size-fits-all work-out regimens.

Make no mistake – this is not a diet or weight-loss group. The group is designed around fitness and training for individual goals. "If you want to lose weight, you're welcome to join us," says Snyder. "If you don't want to lose weight, you're welcome to join us."

Though the group has reached capacity, plus-size women interested in personalized training may visit Bumblebee Fitness (www.bumblebeefitness.com) or phone 415-648-1348.

About Bumblebee Fitness
Bumblebee Fitness, founded in 2001, is the brainchild of fitness expert Sharon Snyder, who dedicates herself to working personally with plus-size women seeking cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance. Bumblebee Fitness offers a judgment-free approach to fitness for plus-size women.

About Sharon Snyder
Sharon Snyder is the owner of Bumblebee Fitness. An ACE-certified Personal Trainer, she also is a Red Cross-certified Water Safety Instructor. She is currently featured in the current (January/February) issue of Alternative Medicine in a story called "Change Your Life."
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