There have been advances in the category of wellness and curve women, but we’re constantly reminded that there’s such a long way to go. A new study from Washington State University’s Department of Apparel suggests that fitness apparel in curve women is an area that needs dire reconstruction.

The likelihood of a curvy woman being able to find workout clothes that look good and make her feel good in comparison to a sample sized woman shouldn’t even be compared because often times the experiences are so different, and the convenience of being able to walk into a store and grab workout clothes before your workout that fit is a luxury that most don’t think about.

The study went as far to show that plus-size women actually end up resorting to the men’s department for workout gear. Assistant Professor Deborah Christel of WSU said, “There’s a societal expectation that I think is communicated in clothing availability. Companies are saying it’s OK for a guy to be big because we are offering guy clothing, but it’s not OK for a woman to be big because we are cutting it off at a certain size.”

What’s even crazier about this is how many women are working out for their health, yet this makes it harder. The same women who are being shamed for their “lack” of working out can’t because they don’t have clothes in which to do it. Lovely.

It’s a shame that brands don’t see this research and take it more seriously, as the need to consider curve women shouldn’t be an option anymore.