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And it was all thanks to FDS!
Before reading the forum, I never considered that women's only spaces could even be a thing. I have a join-quit relationship with regular gyms, mostly because I quickly get uncomfortable being there with gigantic, sweaty men staring me down.
I dreaded putting on workout clothes, and always felt like I had to dress "appropriately", so as not to get leered at. News flash: no amount of clothing is going to stop weird men from looking at you with weird predator eyes.
It was always a matter of entering, making sure to not glance at ANYONE while exercising, and leaving quickly. I'd do workouts completely alone, even when in a group class. It builds no sense of community and quickly gets depressing. Trying to go to gyms with my friends always fizzled out quickly, for the same reasons.
The women's only space I joined actively tries to create a community of fitness-minded women! I'm now actually able to talk normally during training, ask for help, and enjoy my group classes with attentive teachers.
There's no male-centered "grindset" atmosphere, just a simple understanding that exercise helps us be healthier and happier. The focus isn't on "gains" or rapid weight loss, it's simply on building healthy habits and growing as people. The classes range from Yoga to Crossfit, and I'm enjoying the variety that I simply never got from running on treadmills and lifting weights by myself.
I finally feel like I can enjoy exercise again, and this time I'm committed to sticking to it!
Sounds like heaven
I’ve been looking into this too but there aren’t any near me! I’m so glad you managed to find a good one, I hope they become more popular soon!
Yay!!! I’m so happy that the posts resonated with you and that you found this space. I’m really biased because I used to work at a gym that had a women only space. It was only staff (like myself and other women) who were allowed to set up, clean and come into those areas. They had a coed section but that was upstairs and the women would enter a door where no men were allowed. It contained a full workout studio, nursing station, pool, sauna and steam room. I loved my job and the owner (a women btw) made it such an empowering and welcoming space. I worked there as a college student and after my shifts I would go workout in there (we had a free employee membership) and I used to be an assistant Zumba teacher and it was amazing because it was WOMEN’s only space. We could dance and shake our arse without any creepy scrotes watching us. I wish every area had them and if anyone has the means to afford it I would highly recommend to join one.
I'm jealous. All the gyms in my city don't even offer women only change rooms. There's "men only" and "gender neutral" 😢
I'm so very happy for you! I attend a women-only gym as well, and I am extremely happy with it. There is a unique atmosphere in a female-only gym and I thrive there. I am surrounded by women who are trying to strengthen themselves, and by staff and trainers who are experienced and aware that "strengthening ourselves" is often a holistic sort of journey. It is so beautiful to be in a space that does not center men one single bit. It's all about us and building our strengths.
I am so happy you found a space like that ❤️