Why is it more to the gyms that only women engage in

Last week, when I graduated from a normal day of my feet in my gym, a man in his late fifties turned to me. I prepared myself for a little, but what he said was much worse. “Do it again so I can watch this corner,” he said, smiling.

I don’t have to be shocked. I was to go to the gym Three years and had several comments on me, as well as nasty posts on Instagram, as well as full strangers who invaded my personal space.

And yet I am surprised. I keep myself when I’m in the gym; Let my headphones be full and wear huge jumpers, trying to avoid unwanted attention. But everything, I found that I pack my things early to avoid the unwanted look of this man.

Depressive, my experience is not unique. In fact, almost a quarter of women received at least one unwanted comment from a man in the gym, according to recent studies under the leadership of Liverpool John Mura University.

This is certainly 29 years old Ivy ashLestershir singer, who was also at the reception of similarly uncomfortable comments – was passed as “Banter” when appealed. Other men “became trapped”, putting her hand on the bottom of the back, telling her how to perform the exercises properly.

“This is when I just engaged in my own workout without bothering anyone,” she says, adding that she will wear bags and eventually avoid scales at all, trying to avoid the unwanted attention of her husband. “I would try and not be noticeable to prevent comments. I would just like them to go away. It made me feel uncomfortable. “

No staff or gym member has never entered to help her that she believes that the men in question have been licensed. The result was that she felt dangerous, especially in the evenings, when she felt the need to plan her way to escape in anticipation of unwanted attention.

“There are almost no employees at the time and As a womanWhat goes through your mind is how it is safe to go to the car. I would be in question why I put myself in these situations – but I just tried to go to the gym. “

Ash-one of an increasing number that moved to a gym that is only engaged in women to go out without fear or judgment; something that seems to rise. The #womensonlyGyMS hashtag has over 18 million views on Tiktok, and as of February 2024, Google Secings growth for gyms engaged in women.

Since the transition from a mixed gym in 2022, she has found her new training space, which is a motivational and expansion of opportunities she is looking forward to. “I wear as I want now,” she says. “I feel that going to the gym is a positive experience; It is a pleasure to laugh with people and have a good time, this is much more atmosphere of the social community. “

The atmosphere is important, but of course, women join the gyms because they want to adapt. One question that rises when conducting a study of amenities in gyms engaged only in women is a feeling of frustration when it comes to what is offered. 25-year-old fitness-influent Natalie Barnett, who lives in London, has been disappointed, finding that gyms concerned only for women lift heavy scales And they only want to engage in cardio or feet and fogs, or lose weight.

“I have been training for seven years; I need scales to move to a certain amount, I need squats, ”says Barnett, who also received a lot of unwanted attention of a man, a dismissal and intimidation in the gym. “There is still a huge gap on the market.”

Barnett, which has more than two million subscribers in Tiktok and Instagram, has decided to create his own gym, which only women is engaged four years ago with the hope of breaking this stigma. However, after not attracted investments, she eventually used 50,000 pounds of her own money to start Girls stainsThe women’s gym, which soon opens in South London.

Within four days after the announcement of launching, more than 7,000 women have registered their interest, many of whom are discovering their own harassment experience.

Hannah O’neill Ward is a personal trainer who was hired by full fitness to develop a safe space for women’s training. The result is a women’s gym with a common fitness – in Manchester, very aesthetic: green plants and neon signs that read the “Women’s gym” and “nice to see you” decorate the walls. O’Neill Ward says this is the reason that most women come to the gym are to give up intimidation and fear. Many women come here for religious reasons – to be able to wear what they like when they train.

In the locker rooms I meet Sue, 76 years old that has been a member since The gym opened Last September. It uses the area of ​​free weights three times a week to maintain a suitability and a power of 10 km in other days. She chose this gym partially to avoid the noise that men can make during the workout, and she likes how friendly and fun activities.

The gym costs 66 pounds a month for people aged 23 to 64, with a reduced price of £ 53 for young people and people over 65, plus £ 15. It is double that I cry in my mixed gym, but the prices for the gym depend on many causes exceeding sex.

Nancy Best, personal coach and founder Ladies who crunchHe thinks that this is the problem we see in the fitness of a woman as a whole: “The wrong, women’s fitness allow you to be more expensive. Women are constantly being told to change their way of their appearance, and they are commanding the highest price, since marketing is almost like an insider’s secret or magical solution to look amazing.

“A decent product should be the same price. There is no reason why it should be more expensive. Many gyms sell aesthetic experience, and many of them have glamorous dressing rooms – this is something more for women. Women, especially women in menopause, need strength training as ever. I do not think that creating these exclusive gyms where the price is fair. “

It means that they think they are a great idea if the price is fair: “I think women who can come into space where they build relationships with women who share their values ​​are truly powerful. Creating these safe spaces, Where women can make connections and ask connections are a really positive thing. “

Barnett says gyms concerning only women are usually more expensive “so the higher price reflects the ability to train in space harassment and intimidation With comfort, safety and quality. “

Women’s coach Sarah Campus agrees. “Gym-only gym halls are a great idea for those who are less confident and may prefer more comfortable and without judging the training environment, but women should not pay a premium only to avoid discomfort from male-athletes. “.