Eating disorders (ED) are serious illnesses. Those struggling with EDs often engage in gym exercise and may encounter or work with a variety of fitness professionals, placing both fitness professionals and gyms in a position to identify, intervene, and perhaps even help prevent EDs. Most fitness professionals in Canada do not receive formal education, training, or guidelines on how to identify EDs or on how to navigate issues that arise when faced with gym members who are struggling with these illnesses. This enhanced critical incident technique (ECIT) study interviewed 10 adult women in ED recovery to better understand which aspects of their gym experience helped their recovery and which aspects hindered their recovery. Participants supplied 115 incidents which were organized into one of 13 themed categories. The results of this study will be used to inform education, training, and guidelines on EDs in the fitness industry.
