Ladies Gym in Dublin

Siuin

Hi, I'm currently living just west of Dublin city centre and am looking for a female-only gym (or a mixed gym with a women's section where no men will be allowed).

I've looked over previous threads, but they're all out of date and many of the gyms have closed down. I want a gym which has proper cardio machines, so Curves is out of the question.

I'm not interested in hearing criticisms of female-only gyms, just advice and recommendations.
Many thanks!

username123

The gym Im in has a ladies only section, although Im not sure whats in it. There is a big cardio section too but thats mixed.

Its Westpark on the Greenhills Road. Sorry Im not more helpful but I only use the pool myself!

You could give them a ring or go up and ask to be shown around to see if it suits your needs.

Siuin

username123 wrote: »

The gym Im in has a ladies only section, although Im not sure whats in it. There is a big cardio section too but thats mixed.

Its Westpark on the Greenhills Road. Sorry Im not more helpful but I only use the pool myself!

You could give them a ring or go up and ask to be shown around to see if it suits your needs.

That'd actually be a really ideal location- many thanks!

username123

Siuin wrote: »

That'd actually be a really ideal location- many thanks!

Well if its any help to you its a very nice friendly gym and I certainly never feel self conscious there at all. My husband uses the weights section and he says that its a lot nicer than other gyms he has been in.

Its a very mixed place with members ranging from students from the college across the road to pensioners.

Stench Blossoms

That's a bit sexist no?

Pang

In Westwood in Clontarf there is a ladies only gym attached to the changing rooms. It seems to be quite popular. It is probably out of the way for you though.

Jerrica

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

That's a bit sexist no?

Having a female only gym or wanting to be in a female only gym? As much as we'd love it if gender boundaries were broken down everywhere the simple truth of it is that male-dominated gym areas are often fairly scary places for women to go. If there's a female only area that encourages women to start lifting things is it not a good thing?

Nervous Wreck

Jerrica wrote: »

Having a female only gym or wanting to be in a female only gym? As much as we'd love it if gender boundaries were broken down everywhere the simple truth of it is that male-dominated gym areas are often fairly scary places for women to go. If there's a female only area that encourages women to start lifting things is it not a good thing?

That's down to individual perception really.

Crunch in town has a small women only freeweights section
Seem to have as many female instructors as male in general though so they can set you up with the other weights

Jerrica

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

That's down to individual perception really.

And many of those female individuals view male-dominated gyms as scary places. The enlightened ladies of this forum aren't generally reflective of the masses.

username123

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

That's a bit sexist no?

How so? Would you consider female changing rooms to be sexist also?

LeinsterDub

username123 wrote: »

How so? Would you consider female changing rooms to be sexist also?

Yes if they provided female and general changing areas

username123

LeinsterDub wrote: »

Yes if they provided female and general changing areas

Actually they provide male, female and general changing areas. I see no sexism in this? Who is being discriminated against?

Cale

username123 wrote: »

How so? Would you consider female changing rooms to be sexist also?

Stupid analogy.

I assume both genders pay the same rates, yet women get a section especially for themselves to train in while men have to queue to use machines/weights?

That's sexist. And you simply can't argue it's not unless women pay for the privilege.

username123

Cale wrote: »

Stupid analogy.

I assume both genders pay the same rates, yet women get a section especially for themselves to train in while men have to queue to use machines/weights?

That's sexist. And you simply can't argue it's not unless women pay for the privilege.

Whats sexist about it? Any the equipment available in the Ladies only section is also available throughout the gym. The Ladies only section is tiny, its far more likely the ladies who use it are the ones who will be queuing. But dont let facts get in the way of your rant.

Cale

Cale wrote: »

Stupid analogy.

I assume both genders pay the same rates, yet women get a section especially for themselves to train in while men have to queue to use machines/weights?

That's sexist. And you simply can't argue it's not unless women pay for the privilege.

username123 wrote: »

Whats sexist about it? Any the equipment available in the Ladies only section is also available throughout the gym. The Ladies only section is tiny, its far more likely the ladies who use it are the ones who will be queuing. But dont let facts get in the way of your rant.

So it's not sexist because you deem the ladies only section to be tiny?

The fact remains women have a separate sections for themselves.

What's so hard to grasp about this?

PizzamanIRL

We don't want women getting stronger and overpowering men. That's why there's very little women only gyms. True story.

Iano_128

Just out of curiosity, I'm not being sexist or anything but what exactly is intimidating for ladies in gym's dominated by men? Like I said, not being sexist, simply curious..

Stench Blossoms

The way I look at it is (and this is not just in the gym but also in my workplace as I work in a male dominated area) if there was a male only event/place I would be pretty annoyed that I couldn't attend/go to.

Also, I've been to gyms where there was a designated 'ladies' section and usually, but not always, the ladies only sections are equipped with light weights etc. If the men aren't 'allowed' use the ladies section, why should I be allowed over to the mens?

username123

Cale wrote: »

So it's not sexist because you deem the ladies only section to be tiny?

The fact remains women have a separate sections for themselves.

What's so hard to grasp about this?

No, its not sexist because no one is being discriminated against. Whats so hard to grasp about that?

I mentioned it being tiny because you assumed people were queuing elsewhere except in the ladies only section. Untrue.

There is nothing available in it that is not available elsewhere in the place - that is why I deem it not sexist.

Instead of automatically deeming something sexist perhaps look at the reasons it exists - a lot of women are uncomfortable exercising in a male dominated space. Whether you like it or not, that is the situation and why women only gyms or women only sections in gyms exist.

Would you prefer that some women just didnt go to the gym at all because they felt intimidated?

username123

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

The way I look at it is (and this is not just in the gym but also in my workplace as I work in a male dominated area) if there was a male only event/place I would be pretty annoyed that I couldn't attend/go to.

There are male only places you cant go (or shouldnt go). Gents toilets.

Stench Blossoms

username123 wrote: »

There are male only places you cant go (or shouldnt go). Gents toilets.

I'm pretty ok with not being allowed into the gents toilets or changing rooms. That's kinda nit picking imo.

But where else could I not go?

username123

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

I'm pretty ok with not being allowed into the gents toilets or changing rooms.

So why is the ladies gym different to the above? Its just about bodily privacy.

There is nothing in it that doesnt exist elsewhere in the place. No secret womens only machines. Just extras of stuff thats also in the rest of the place.

Edited - you added the nit picking comment - whats nit picking about it? Its for the same reasons as single sex toilets and changing rooms.

xgtdec

the provision of a female only section to a gym enforces the stereotype that women are physically weak(provision of light weights) and mentally weak(i cant work out infront of a man)!!

Real women just get in and get on with it!!!!

Stench Blossoms

username123 wrote: »

So why is the ladies gym different to the above? Its just about bodily privacy.

There is nothing in it that doesnt exist elsewhere in the place. No secret womens only machines. Just extras of stuff thats also in the rest of the place.

Edited - you added the nit picking comment - whats nit picking about it? Its for the same reasons as single sex toilets and changing rooms.

I would say your argument is valid if people were in the nip in the gym, but they aren't.

As xgtdec said it's re-enforcing the stereotype that women are physically weak.

You show me a women's only section in a gym, that no man goes into, that has the exact same equipment as the male section and I'll shut up.

Oryx

Guys the op specifically said they just want to know where there is a good womens only gym.

This is not a debate on the rights and wrongs or sexism of womens only gyms.

Cale

username123 wrote: »

No, its not sexist because no one is being discriminated against. Whats so hard to grasp about that?

IF the gym fees are the same (which they most likely are), then men are being discriminated against.

username123 wrote: »

There is nothing available in it that is not available elsewhere in the place - that is why I deem it not sexist.

Except the floor you walk on in the women's only section, for the men.

username123 wrote: »

Instead of automatically deeming something sexist perhaps look at the reasons it exists - a lot of women are uncomfortable exercising in a male dominated space. Whether you like it or not, that is the situation and why women only gyms or women only sections in gyms exist.

Then we should have gyms especially for obese people, specifically obese men, who are intimidated by other men and women in regular gyms.

It's up to the person to overcome this perception they have (because that's usually all it is - granted there are times when it's not just a perception, but having gender specific areas isn't the answer.)

username123 wrote: »

Would you prefer that some women just didnt go to the gym at all because they felt intimidated?

Stop being stupid.

username123

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

I would say your argument is valid if people were in the nip in the gym, but they aren't.

As xgtdec said it's re-enforcing the stereotype that women are physically weak.

You show me a women's only section in a gym, that no man goes into, that has the exact same equipment as the male section and I'll shut up.

I couldnt be bothered arguing this. Its a non issue.

Personally, Id prefer to see women using the women only part than not going at all - which is why it was introduced in the first place.

If people want to get upset that its sexist - thats their prerogative. Have a pleasant weekend all.

Jerrica

xgtdec wrote: »

Real women just get in and get on with it!!!!

And what, it's fake women who want to use the women-only area? Do they have plastic vaginas or something?

This is hilarious. The OP wants to use a women-only gym for whatever reason. She gets one or two valid replies and then it descends into "SEXIST!! I WANT TO USE ALL THE GYMS EVERYWHERE WITH MY REAL VAGINA AND BOOBIES AND ALL THE MEN PARTS TOO BECAUSE GENDER EQUALITY!!!".

ffs.

Some women will feel confident using the regular gym area. Fair play. Some women will use the female only area, realise they're actually pretty cool with it and think they might just be able to hold their own in the regular area. Kudos to them. Some women will use the women's only area, continue to be intimidated by the general area/ not want to sweat in front of the men/ just feel more comfortable there for whatever reason. Is it not better to encourage ALL the above to continue to use the gym?

Oryx

Enough.

Stick to the op. Final warning.

xgtdec

Its also worth pointing out that in a gym, there is no mens section...ive yet to go to a gym and see a sign saying "mens section". maybe they exist ive just yet to see one!

In a very broad view ive no idea why women gave such a fight for equal rights(and rightly so) only to piss their arguement away on stuff like this!!

In 20 years time it will all be a moot poijnt as the "womens section" will have become the lesbian section and all gyms will have to provide homo and hetrosexual changing rooms. Enjoy your Friday:D

mu apologies i didnt see the mod warning while posting!