Finding the motivation to go to the gym isn’t easy for anyone. But it can be much harder for women, for reasons that have nothing to do with actually working out.
Knowing they’re likely walking into a hornet’s nest of people (men) who will bother, critique, stare at, or otherwise annoy them is an unfortunate reality for many female gym-goers.
About 14% of women say they’re intimidated by the possibility of men leering or judging them while they work out, according to research done by Cosmopolitan Body in 2014. The problem gets even worse in the weights section, which is typically overrun with men. The survey discovered almost half of all women found the area intimidating because of “the people who use it.”
Look At 6 Things Women Put Up With in the Gym, and Why They Shouldn’t Have To
Anecdotal evidence backs that up. Reddit and fitness discussion forums are rife with women asking for advice on dealing with men at the gym who gawk, flirt, interrupt, or even harass them. The common (and quite depressing) responses: develop a “resting bitch face,” learn to be super rude, get better at ignoring people, or report these men to gym management.
Instead, we ought to be reminding men they don’t own the gym; women shouldn’t have to “put up with” rude behavior or “find a way” to not attract attention. Wouldn’t it be better for everyone if women didn’t have to deal with harassment at all?
So, fellow dudes and fellow gym goers, I implore you, think for a second about what women go through at the gym. And if you catch yourself or your friends doing any of this stuff, please cut it out.
Making a woman feel “on display” by leering when she’s just trying to get a workout in is a surefire way to make her feel uncomfortable or even scared. And no, tight pants and sports bras aren’t an invitation.
@esporter @Upworthy Just generally making crude gestures, and staring. Also, just hanging out behind the machine u’re using
Victoria Phillips (@ToriaPhillips) March 31, 2017
Think a lingering glance here and there isn’t a big deal? Upworthy reader Meredith Cantrell says many of the women she knows actually drive to “gay neighborhoods” to work out so they won’t be gawked at.
Totally unnecessary if guys can learn to keep our eyes to ourselves.
It’s not that you can’t meet that special someone at the gym, but there’s a time and a place. Flirting with a woman at the gym when she’s in the middle of lifting weights or grinding out miles on the treadmill is neither the time nor place.
@esporter @ryeisenberg Don’t gesture for me to remove headphones. I got 1 hr a day for myself. Unless there’s a fire, there’s nothing I wanna hear from you, dude.
Allison Glock (@AllisonGlock) April 1, 2017
Not only is it super rude to interrupt (honestly, you’re not going to get a good response doing this anyway), it’s also pretty dangerous to distract someone while they’re, say, holding the equivalent of their own bodyweight on their back while doing squats. Yet, incredibly, it happens all the time.
A good rule of thumb: When someone’s wearing headphones, it usually means they don’t want to talk to anyone. Even you, handsome.
Reader Emma Johnson writes that one day, while working with her trainer, she hit a pretty impressive 250-kilogram leg press (over 550 pounds go Emma!). A jealous guy standing nearby couldn’t help but chime in, “Yeah, but you’re doing it wrong.”
Look, guys, women are strong. Sometimes they will be stronger than you. Deal with it like an adult and get back to work on your own fitness goals.
Read more: http://www.upworthy.com/6-things-women-put-up-with-in-the-gym-and-why-they-shouldnt-have-to
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More about gym benefits for women on this link: https://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/a5436/10-surprising-benefits-of-exercise-113925/