What's your take on "womens-only" fitness?

NekoLaw · 3 months

Not every woman who goes to the gym is a twentysomething hardbody who gets ogled by dudes. I think places like Curves tend to cater to a more mature, less athletically inclined woman who 1. Isn't used to working out 2. Isn't particularly comfortable with her body, and 3. doesn't want to be judged (by men or women) - they worry more about looks of derision than lustful staring.

So if a self-segregated setting that caters to their particular needs makes some women feel more comfortable and gets them to a healthier place in their lives, then I can't find a thing wrong with it.

bluntbangs · 3 months

I couldn't give a rats ass about a man judging how hard I work out. I do get uncomfortable with men around, and certainly feel better if the gym has more women in it.

Whilst my gym doesn't offer a women only option, I think to deny the choice to work out there puts some women in the situation where they won't go to a gym or work out elsewhere, thus becoming the stereotype who ISN'T fit. And why should a little modesty/self consciousness prevent a woman from having the same access to health and fitness?

duckduck_goose · 3 months

I don't think women-safe spaces are second-class at all. Some women at any stage of her weight, shape or body comfort simply don't want to get ogled at a gym. I think women majority classes are a certain comfort zone for many females new to a work out routine or women positive classes [like zoomba I think is a dance class mainly attended by women or certain fat-to-fit-for-women classes would be an easier transition] so why enforce some zero tolerance push past men ogling you, stares, sideways glances mindset?

There's plenty of areas, and I believe this to be a valid one, where women should have the option to opt out of co-ed spaces if that's her comfort level and shouldn't be judged as being weak for it. I certainly prefer women for certain things: doctors, hair dressers, women centric group therapy because fuck you; that's why!

SenorMonoculo · 3 months

I enjoy co-ed spaces because they usually have a larger range of weights and machines, but it gets really irritating to have to constantly shoo "bros" away. I feel like if I am using a set of weights, they get more impatient with me than other men, who usually have a bunch of weights they're not using around them. It's like they think I'm an easy target and I'll be cowed by their assertiveness.

Even if I tell them to fuck off, it gets old very quickly. I just want to be able to work out quietly, without anyone talking to me, and leave. But in co-ed gyms, I'll have guys come up to me, mid-set, and harass me about how they want to use the equipment "for just a minute." It's like, Yeah, I'm using this for just a fucking minute too. I waited my turn so go eat a dick and wait your's.

Sorry for the rant.

icancook2 · 3 months

I've used women only (Curves, Lucille Roberts, my college had a female only gym) and co-ed (NYSC, Planet Fitness, YMCA), and I found the co-ed gyms to be better in terms of number/availability of weights, quality of machines, and trainers available. My mom found that women only gyms were better for her because she felt more comfortable. I think it's a YMMV situation!

pussyham · 3 months

They're not for me, but I don't care what other people do. If it makes some women more comfortable to work out there (as opposed to working out nowhere), then more power to them.

Kay_Elle · 3 months

Honestly, I just wish there were different "subcategories" of gyms - like, for example, one for the people who are really into their body image, and 5-days-a-week- workout fanatics, and other gyms for just regular peeps who wanted to lose a few pounds. I just find that those two worlds do clash so immensely.

But I have nothing against women-only gyms, and I can see who some women would prefer them.

headygoodness · 3 months

I go to a women-only gym occasionally. At first, I felt a little sheepish and lame about it. But honestly, at the "co-ed" gym, I'm not going to get into it with anyone. I'm not there to educate some clueless, obnoxious dood about how to act in public. The women-only gym is generally feels much more relaxed, and I like it.

deadundead · 3 months

Personally, I don't really care who else is at the gym or studio with me. I'm focused entirely on myself and I don't want to bother anybody or have anybody bother me. I don't even go with friends or with my boyfriend. It's my time and my time alone, damn it. If I've been leered at or stared at, I sure as heck didn't notice. Then again, I'm not exactly the one that would be wowing these strangers in the first place. I'm sure there are many others like me that don't feel the need to seek out a more private alternative.

But, this is just me. There are plenty of people - plenty! - for whom even entering the gym is a daunting task in and of itself. How many people are at home using workout DVDs to get to a point where they feel comfortable enough to go to a gym? If some of these people would prefer to go to a women's only gym a la Curves and the like, who am I to say that that's wrong? As long as there's demand for it and as long as there's equal opportunity for all (by this I mean, Curves accepting transgendered woman without batting their lashes and there being ample options for men), then who cares?

epithelia · 3 months

I don't want to work out with men because I don't like the oggling and strutting that goes on. I'd rather work out surrounded only by women. I'm fat (5'5" and 190lbs) and it isn't that I'm bothered by guys looking at other chicks and not me. I just feel most comfortable with other women. Not because I'm afraid of sweating, not because I'm afraid of smelling or not being pretty. It's just a preference.

attakburr · 3 months

As someone who's done it both ways, I can get the appeal of a women's only gym.

I honestly don't think it's that different then the purpose of 2xc in the midst of Reddit.

Edit: to be clear-- I have done curves, and I have done fitness classes at a co-ed gym that were targeting women (men were welcome but rarely showed), as well as straight up co-ed gym.

I would love to see a women's gym that has the same equipment as a standard co-ed gym. My only problem with Curves is that now that I have more 'gym experience' it feels more like a 'starter' location... I'm probably going to get flack for that, but it just my feeling.

Jerri_Blank · 3 months

Imagine you're an obese woman who has decided to get fit. Do you want to go to the gym where people will leer at you, snicker or make snide comments? Or, would you prefer the gym that caters to exclusively to women and comfortably serves your demographic?

Not everyone has the same perspective.

buzzing_girl · 3 months

I've never been to a women's only gym. Honestly when I go to the gym I just go there, work out, leave. I don't notice anyone staring and really have never had any uncomfortable experiences. I enjoy a co-ed presence in my gym classes and actually prefer to be paired with a male in boxing class as they actually push me to work harder. The guys in the weight section are also helpful and showed me how to use the squat rack and I have never felt uncomfortable there. We are all there to get fit! I barely notice other people at the gym.

Single sex gyms might be desirable for others but I've looked at the classes and facilities at women's only gyms in the past and been disappointed. Single sex gyms - not for me.

I will add the most negative gym experiences I have had was nasty comments from another female so really female gyms are not some utopia. Females can be arseholes too.

blue_lotion · 3 months

Years ago I belonged to a large gym chain in So California. For some reason they had the men's area and the women's area. The men's area had more machines and weights. 1/2 the women's area was an open floor for classes. Men couldn't take them.

I guess it's irrelevant to the discussion; I just haven't thought about it in a while. I really don't care who is around when I work out. If you want to start at me, my ass is your oyster.

sambojomo · 3 months

I think that if a woman is so insecure that she refuses to exercise in mixed company and therefor doesn't exercise, then giving her the option of being able to exercise in a segregated environment is great. I'm pro-exercise and pro-whateverworksforyou.

loinbread · 3 months

Losing weight and getting fit is a very personal thing and some audiences can make you feel vulnerable. Women-only fitness centres exist because there is a demand for them.

tiffanydisasterxoxo · 3 months

I'd prefer going to a gym where I know all the people are going through what I am and that understand what being a woman is like. Plus I don't want to have to worry about men staring at me sweat. Being in a female only gym just seems safer. If you want men to stare at you go to a coed gym.

EllieTuttle · 3 months

I wish it weren't necessary - that we could have coed workouts that were still empowering for women, but the truth of the matter is a lot of women aren't comfortable working out with men. Comfort and solidarity will always come first in my book.

Rose1982 · 3 months

I prefer co-ed gyms... I like people watching and it's more interesting. Also, fitter people tend to be there (as opposed to overweight middle-aged women trying to get back into shape) and I find it more motivating to help me towards my own fitness goals.

That said I think there's definitely a time and a place for women-only gyms. Many women, i.e. the aforementioned middle-aged ladies, are simply too intimidated to be around a bunch of muscled heavy-weight men and if a segregated gym makes them more comfortable and allows them to achieve fitness goals, then great.

RosieLalala · 3 months

Perhaps this is my region...

there are women here who will not work out in a mixed gym because it requires them to wear tighter clothing, or clothing that shows more skin, than they are comfortable showing (or able to show according to religious/social doctrines). Better to give the option of working out in a segregated space than none at all, no?

Jollysaur · 3 months

I think I would like a fatties only gym. Just so I wouldn't have to deal with fit people in the middle of my work out. It isn't nice to see the little girl next to me barely braking a sweat when I feel like I'm about to die of exhaustion.

[deleted] · 3 months

Men and women are just people. I don't get intimidated by exercising around men. I'm there to work out. So are they. So why care?

If you're really that worried about men and you'd be just as o.k. with the idea of men's only gym, then go ahead and go to a woman's only gym. I certainly won't stop you. But I do think that some of the fears and insecurities that lead to the popularity of women gyms should be closely examined. These are issues that need to be addressed individually and also at the societal level.

Also, I'm totally not cool with "women only" gyms that discriminate against trans women or gender queer people.

[deleted] · 3 months

My gym has a women's only changing floor that I use. It also has a front desk (to get a locker key, like the other floors) and the attendee is a woman. I feel safer knowing that no man belongs there and will be showed out if they accidentally come through the door.

Also I like that women's only work out areas allow for women of different cultural backgrounds who normally aren't allowed to/accustomed to showing skin don't have to (in front of men). When I was living in Stockholm, where there was a large Muslim population, the women felt uncomfortable at the gym if they could not choose to segregate themselves.

Otherwise, for myself, I agree with you. It was difficult at first to work out in front of men because I really didn't want to be approached. Now that I am a regular I can say that 1. men don't approach me as much as I feared, which was also empowering and enlightening to know and 2. if and when they do, I am very comfortable saying no (or yes! - though that hasn't happened..).

mandano · 3 months

I think women just don't want to feel like they're being looked at and judged by men while they're excercising and/or not looking very good. It is women's fault that "the male gaze" is basically the default perspective of society?

janewoe · 3 months

Personally, I am more insecure about being judged by other women than by men at the gym.

However, I respect that some people prefer to work out with their own gender. Men also might want the gym to be a "boy's club" filled with machismo and testosterone, and if that's what they want, I would not be opposed to an all-men's gym and an all-women's gym.

I would be very opposed to FORCING people to always work out only with their own gender though.

Gyms and the related markets should just provide the options. Let people work out where they want to.

distopiandreamboy · 3 months

As a guy, I haven't gone to the yoga classes at my gym for the exact same reasons. I love yoga, but as soon as I walk into the class I feel like I'm violating some invisible boundary. I just don't feel welcomed at all.

peachbot · 3 months

I don't want to deal with tackling the issue head on or teaching men that I'm just as good and can work out here, too. I just want to get my shit done and get out. I'm not at the gym to teach manners to beasts.

Baaabydoll · 3 months

It's boring, I like working out with men. I don't see the point in segregating ourselves when it's actually more entertaining to work out with men.

reeksofhavoc · 3 months

I think the term is stupid because when I see chick lifting five pound weight 30 times it makes me wanna hurl.

There is no reason why a woman cannot life a 30 pound plus weight properly.

Total bullshit.

I did work out at a gym that had a womans section. It was kind of nice because no dude could come up and hit on me.

Unfortunately to get to the tanning beds you had to go through the womens area. One time I saw a guy mackin' on a chick on the treadmill and I wanted to walk up to her afterward and say - Hey this is the womens section for a number of reasons.

Most people really don't get shit like that. Those two did not.

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