What are your thoughts on the gym for women?

As a gym rat myself, I don't think going there is "falling victim to the male gaze". I go there to improve and maintain my health, improve fitness/strength, relieve stress and genuinely just have fun. There's nothing inherently patriarchal about that. I don't care about "gym culture" since I always just mind my own business. I recommend doing sports in general, it's good for your health.

It's a vibe thing for me. I push myself more when there are other people around me. I'm not good at working out at home. There are too many distractions.

I look my absolute worst at the gym, and part of that is intentional. I don't want men looking at me or approaching me. I'm there to work out, and I think they can sense that.

While my gym is definitely chock full of bro types.....everybody seems to put their headphones on and mind their own business. Getting physically stronger is advantageous to ALL people and especially women. It keeps us safer not only because we're stronger but it gives us confidence which is the best kind of LVM/NVM repellant there is!

I love the gym and it definitely benefits me. It’s actually one of the few places where I don’t feel victim to the male gaze because people are there concentrating on their health and wellness rather than whatever I’m doing.

When I'm going to the gym I get stronger, my stress is relieved, and I sleep better. Definitely benefits me. Men dont really bother me at the gym except for their BO, and I try to not pay attention to them. I fear the day I spot a man in lipstick in the locker room, but it hasnt happened yet.

Since the male gaze prefers skinny (vulnerable) women over athletic (strong), I think we're fine. My PT turned a potential client down because she wanted to work a cardio routine with no strength training - her husband didn't want her getting swole.

We go to the gym to get fitter and healthier, both mentally and physically. Being sedentary is really bad for your health. If you do it to be more attractive, sure, go work on that in therapy. Becoming more attractive is a side benefit of being healthier.

There are too many benefits to dismiss exercise as catering to the male gaze

I’m not a gym person, but I do gymnastics and yoga and will sometimes take cardio kickboxing class. I think some of the gym culture online can be surrounding womens looks but I think it’s better that the gym is seen in a good light for women bc getting fit is obviously good for your health.

I started going to the gym religiously 10 years ago. It changed my life, health and confidence for the better. I don’t do it for men but yes, I get more attention bc my toned physique (by both men and women). But that’s not why I do it. I would hate to date men with any sort of insecurity though.

Exercising is always a good idea.

Gym is great for our health as long as we do the exercises correctly. It is very easy to weight lift incorrectly and therefore hurt ourselves or just not build any muscle. Women don't make the gym our whole personality like gym bros do. Any form of exercise is great, for me I need gentle exercise due to fibromyalgia. The gym is too intense and heavy for me. Whatever works best for each person you know?

I love going to the gym, it makes me feel strong and confident, and serves as a good emotional outfit. I prefer co-ed gyms over all female ones though, purely because they have a nicer view. I think improving your fitness is always a win, no matter who you are or what stage of life you're in

Yes, as long as we don't use the leftist definition of woman

That's a really interesting question. I wonder what what a gym that was specifically made for women would be like.

Gym rat 4 life here! Yes, it's an absolute positive! And I've never experienced any horror story. When I went to those "do what you want" gyms, I never saw any type of conversation, good or bad. Everyone was minding their own business, men and women. Now I go to a gym structured as 60 minute group classes, there is no time to talk at all. Only whatever brief small talk 5 minutes before class. Also, this new gym is about 80% women. I think some women fears about being disturbed in the gym are overblown. It's overthinking it.