I was banned from the gym for being too fat after bosses called me a ‘health and safety risk’

AN INFLUENCER who weighs 460lbs called the police on a gym after he was allegedly refused membership for being “too fat”.

Júlio Otávio Miranda da Silva, 35, claimed that staff at Academia Horizon in Brazil’s São Paulo region described him as a “health and safety risk” after a trial swim.

“I went to a trial class at a gym in the Campestre district of Santo André and today [January 22] they called me saying they could not accept my registration as a member,” he said.

“Distraught” by the decision, he reported the accident POLICEwhich registered the case as “non-criminal”.

They warned that the gym’s actions could “constitute unfair practices under consumer law… which prohibits discriminatory treatment, unreasonable denial of service and practices that unduly disadvantage consumers.”

Júlio was therefore encouraged to “seek civil action” to hold the gym accountable.

A statement from the company said: “A visitor attended a trial swimming course and it became clear during the session that there were difficulties which could compromise safety.

“After the class, we had an open conversation and explained that under the current conditions of our facilities, it is not possible to continue enrollment without jeopardizing the participant’s safety.

“We want to emphasize that this decision was not based on prejudice, but on responsibility, caution and concern for the health and well-being of the visitor.”

But Júlio stressed that the only challenge he faced was getting out of it swimming pool – which required “a little more energy”.

“I made it clear to them that it was not a problem,” he told Brazilian media. “I was very angry.

Júlio, who goes by “mamuteofficial” on social media, has 1.8 million followers on Instagram and 915,500 on TikTok.

He documents his weight loss journey online and has shredded over 220 pounds so far.

Support for the influencer has been growing since the gym rejection story went viral online.

Carlos Secco, another influencer based in Santo André, shared a video of Júlio outside the police station, warning that “any kind of prejudice will not be tolerated.”

In the caption, he wrote: “More than ever we need empathy, love and giving to others.

“Evolving as a company is not just about compliance lawit’s caring for people, looking at each other with humanity and social responsibility.”

Fans urged Júlio to “keep his head down and hold on tight.”

“I’m rooting for you!” one read comment. Another described him as their “inspiration” and praised him for “showing up” on the internet despite prejudice.

Brazil is often described as the “obesity capital of the world” as the condition has doubled among adults to nearly a third of the population over the past two decades.

The Sun has previously reported how the country is responding to the crisis with measures to improve health – but also embrace bigger bodies by introducing a special ‘fat rights’ day in several states.

Already in 2014, almost 5,000 extra-wide seats were offered during the World Cup to help fans with obesity, a disease classified as a disability under Brazilian law.