Gyms and Women only sections. Sexism or not?

30Min · 16-01-2012 11:55AM

If the mixed section is always packed and the wimen's section always has spare machines then I think you should ask the gym to swap over some machines. Makes perfect sense.

Fear Uladh · 16-01-2012 11:55AM

Equality for some, miniature flags for others!

Duggy747 · 16-01-2012 11:56AM

Not being be to hide in the girl's jacks without them screaming in terror is sexist, if truth be told.

Why, I'd only be too happy to see a girl staring at me in the vents above the cubicle!

pookie82 · 16-01-2012 12:02PM

Yes, technically what's happening here is discrimination: "Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group."

I can understand that some women are self conscious when it comes to working out around men. But there are women-only gyms to cater for that. If they want the privilege of working out in a special man-free zone, I think they should have to pay for the extra privilege, OR the men should also have a female free zone; a) for those males who may be self conscious also and b) to provide the same number of equipment to men and women. The unfairness here is not that women are getting a special area, but rather that this in turn means they have much more choice with regards to machines, less queueing time, and a generally better gym experience just because they have a vagina.

If you feel strongly about it, why don't you ask a trainer next time you're queueing if you can use a free machine in the women's area. When they refuse, write a letter of complaint asking them to at least provide you with the same opportunity to get a machine as they have, pointing out that they pay no more than you for the advantage they have.

Women wanting to work out without the glares of men is not a bad thing, but I'd be pissed if I were a guy and I was paying the same fees as them without my extra room.

Batsy · 16-01-2012 12:03PM

Cian92 wrote: »

My gym has the regular unisex gym, along with another gym for women only. Women don't pay anything extra to use this gym. Do people think it is a double standard on the sexism front, if a gym provides a womens only section and not a men only section too?

Often during peak times the main gym fills up and you have to wait for a machine, but if you are female you can just go to the womens only part and find yourself a machine no bother.

I don't think it is fair that females get access to more equipment for the same price and that there is no equivalent facility for men.

What do ye all think? (Before I write my letter complaining)

Of course it's sexist (or you see it as sexist if you aren't a Lefty or a member of the PC Brigade).

And look at those horrible harridans on ITV1's Loose Women, sitting there in every episode slagging off men. Of course, ITV1 would never be able to get away with a programme called Loose Men in which a group of men sit there slagging off women in every episode.

Batsy · 16-01-2012 12:06PM

starbelgrade wrote: »

There's nothing sexist about it as I'm sure that if men were looking for a men only section, then gyms would also start providing them.

Maybe in Ireland, but in Britain men-only gyms could never exist. As soon as one is set up they'd be forced to close down again due to being "sexist."

In Britain even the Boy Scouts cannot be exclusively male now. The Boy Scouts now have to admit girls because apparently it's "sexist" for the BOY Scouts to have just boys in it.

Of course, boys are not allowed to join the Girl Guides, though.

Batsy · 16-01-2012 12:08PM

And what those numpties who create women-only gyms don't realise is that they are excluding half of their potential customers.

Yeah, what a clever business venture that is.

Mr.Biscuits · 16-01-2012 12:17PM

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

Quit being a cry baby and move on with your life.

Charter wrote: »

"Attack the post and not the poster"

kylith wrote: »

I used to work in a gym and, trust me, women need somewhere to exercise away from some men. Seriously.

Some women, some men? This is for all women at the gym, and applies to all men - presumably.

Cian92 wrote: »

I don't think it is fair that females get access to more equipment for the same price and that there is no equivalent facility for men.

If men and women are paying the same fees for membership at the gym and it's a unisex one - then within reason, both men and women should have equal access to equipment that the gym provides.

Faolchu · 16-01-2012 12:24PM

Cian92 wrote: »

God forbid a man could feel self conscious though.

i agree the one sidedness is a tad unfair for us fat bastards

southsiderosie · 16-01-2012 12:24PM

Mr.Biscuits wrote: »

Some women, some men? This is for all women at the gym, and applies to all men - presumably.

If men and women are paying the same fees for membership at the gym and it's a unisex one - then within reason, both men and women should have equal access to equipment that the gym provides.

I think that in some gyms, given the gender dynamics around the free weights, a lot of women feel like they don't have equal access.

That said, I would agree with the earlier poster than if there is clearly excess capacity in the women's only section that some machines should be moved back into the general pool.

starbelgrade · 16-01-2012 12:25PM

Batsy wrote: »

Maybe in Ireland, but in Britain men-only gyms could never exist.

You can provide male or female only services in Britain provided that you can objectively justify providing the services in that way.

Faolchu · 16-01-2012 12:30PM

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

For some reason (maybe it's the bang off their own testosterone), the guys in the weights sections seem to ogle way more than the guys on the treadmills, .

no if the guy on the threadmill does it he's probably gonna loose balance and fall on his face. he's aware of this risk and does not want to end up looking the tit so its eyes front when on the threadmill

later12 · 16-01-2012 12:42PM

I love the insinuation that the perve traffic is all one-way.

I've frequently heard my female friends talk about male members of their gym (there's a particular gym back in Dublin which is known as a bit of a dating scene in itself, by the way) just in the same way that men do comment on women.

For some reason, it's just more acceptable for women to be offended by it.

MyKeyG · 16-01-2012 12:54PM

Yes OP by definition this is discrimination. I just wonder if some of the women justifying it on this thread would let the same excuses slide for a mens only section?

Personally I see nothing wrong with gender allocated gyms, swimming pools etc in general as people (of both sexes) are conscious about their body whether they think they're being ogled or ridiculed, but only if it were a two way street which it's not.

There seems to be a prevailing opinion on this thread that ogling and sexual intimidation is a one way street which is complete and utter nonsense. A gym is a gym. You take it as it comes or move on. The very notion of a womens only section is discrimination at it's best especially if it affords a level of comfort not available to men.

Teyla Emmagan · 16-01-2012 01:04PM

later10 wrote: »

I love the insinuation that the perve traffic is all one-way.

I've frequently heard my female friends talk about male members of their gym (there's a particular gym back in Dublin which is known as a bit of a dating scene in itself, by the way) just in the same way that men do comment on women.

For some reason, it's just more acceptable for women to be offended by it.

Men LOVE being perved at, what are you on about :pac:

later12 · 16-01-2012 01:06PM

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

Men LOVE being perved at, what are you on about :pac:

I prefer the ould glare of disgust myself.
Love it when a woman plays hard to get in the gym showers.

30Min · 16-01-2012 01:08PM

pookie82 wrote: »

Yes, technically what's happening here is discrimination: "Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group."

I can understand that some women are self conscious when it comes to working out around men. But there are women-only gyms to cater for that. If they want the privilege of working out in a special man-free zone, I think they should have to pay for the extra privilege, OR the men should also have a female free zone; a) for those males who may be self conscious also and b) to provide the same number of equipment to men and women. The unfairness here is not that women are getting a special area, but rather that this in turn means they have much more choice with regards to machines, less queueing time, and a generally better gym experience just because they have a vagina.

If you feel strongly about it, why don't you ask a trainer next time you're queueing if you can use a free machine in the women's area. When they refuse, write a letter of complaint asking them to at least provide you with the same opportunity to get a machine as they have, pointing out that they pay no more than you for the advantage they have.

Women wanting to work out without the glares of men is not a bad thing, but I'd be pissed if I were a guy and I was paying the same fees as them without my extra room.

Its supply and demand. Men will still go to a gym that has a women only section, because the majority, don't give a ****, they just wanna work out. On the other hand there are many women that will hang onto their money if there is not a place for them to work out without having to show off their wobbly bits.

It doesn't matter what people want or think should be the case- its business.

AeoNGriM · 16-01-2012 01:47PM

kylith wrote: »

I used to work in a gym and, trust me, women need somewhere to exercise away from some men. Seriously. We had everything from peeping toms to flashers: Some men, I stress some as it is in no way the norm for men, cannot tell the difference between work out wear and seductive undies. Not to mention, as said above, that some middle aged overweight women want somewhere to exercise away from prying eyes.

Surely the answer is to remove some men instead of ALL women?

'No, sir, we're sorry. Women are special and require their own private area incase you decide to look at them'

Of course, no woman has ever looked at a man in the gym. Ever.

:rolleyes:

southsiderosie · 16-01-2012 01:51PM

If men felt that they were being intimidated and ogled out of yoga class, then I don't see why anyone would object to there being a men's only session, especially if the gym felt they were missing out on potential clients because of it. Now if it was offered and only one guy showed up, while all of the other classes at the same time were oversubscribed, then it might be time to rethink things.

starbelgrade · 16-01-2012 01:56PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR5p7b5S3eE

Deus Ex Machina · 16-01-2012 02:03PM

If feminists really wanted equality it would be nonsense like this that they'd be railing against.

Nothingbetter2d · 16-01-2012 02:08PM

actually this also happens with women only insurance providers and nightclubs letting women only in for free before midnight.... ive never seen a club where men only are let in free before midnight.

Any time there was a men only club setup the women cried for equality... funny how it doesnt work in return.

Carlos Orange · 16-01-2012 02:08PM

Deus Ex Machina wrote: »

If feminists really wanted equality it would be nonsense like this that they'd be railing against.

If feminists wanted equality they would have come up with a better name for their movement.

Deus Ex Machina · 16-01-2012 02:14PM

psinno wrote: »

If feminists wanted equality they would have come up with a better name for their movement.

But that's a sexy name, you can imagine them in lingerie or in BDSM torture dungeons more easily when you hear feminism than when you hear "women's rights". You know those bitches are just kinky.

secrecy_ie · 16-01-2012 02:14PM

I joined a well known gym a few years ago because it had a pool. As much as I hate men perving, I really didn't think it would be a problem until I started using the pool there.

There were a group of men that used the jacuzzi every day and spent their time drooling over all the women getting into the pool. It made me feel very self conscious and I avoided the pool after that, choosing to use the gym instead.

As much as I hated going to that pool and having all those perverted eyes on me, I have to agree that separating one part of the gym for women only - with no extra fee - is sexist. I'm all for equality but I don't think further segregation is the way to it.

If you really hate exercising around men - exercise from home or join Curves.

MyKeyG · 16-01-2012 02:15PM

Nothingbetter2d wrote: »

actually this also happens with women only insurance providers

Well an EU court put an end to all that even though the choice to charge women less is based on statistics and not gender as such. It may eventually have some bearing on things like 'women only' in other areas regardless of the apparent justification.

On a positive note at least that feckin 'Sheila's Wheels' is off the telly.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/01/us-europe-insurance-idUSTRE7201MU20110301

AeoNGriM · 16-01-2012 02:20PM

secrecy_ie wrote: »

I joined a well known gym a few years ago because it had a pool. As much as I hate men perving, I really didn't think it would be a problem until I started using the pool there.

There were a group of men that used the jacuzzi every day and spent their time drooling over all the women getting into the pool. It made me feel very self conscious and I avoided the pool after that, choosing to use the gym instead.

As much as I hated going to that pool and having all those perverted eyes on me, I have to agree that separating one part of the gym for women only - with no extra fee - is sexist. I'm all for equality but I don't think further segregation is the way to it.

If you really hate exercising around men - exercise from home or join Curves.

Complain to the management? Women are good at complaining.

hatrickpatrick · 16-01-2012 02:37PM

If there's going to be one, there should be both. It's sexism if one gender gets an extra privilege and the other doesn't.

hatrickpatrick · 16-01-2012 02:42PM

keano_afc wrote: »

Do you go to Curves?

No, but the point is that women complain about this kind of thing if it happens in reverse, IE that golf club case a few years ago - that's why it's hypocritical.

In the same way as it would be hypocritical if I objected to women's only gym sections while maintaining that golf clubs should be allowed to discriminate.

Either discrimination is ok, or it isn't. It can't be slightly ok.

EDIT: In before I ridiculously get called a misogynist for objecting to double standards in society :rolleyes:

smallBiscuit · 16-01-2012 02:44PM

Is it sexist? Depends are women allowed to use the men's section? If so then yes it is.

First off the point made "Women feel uncomfortable being ogled at", I'm a bloke, but very conscious of stares (real or imagined) in a gym. Does that mean I should get my own private section?
Using the weights after somebody, male or female, I feel very conscious of the fact that they were lifting, say 60lb, and i have to reset to about 10lb.

Second, Women ogle men A quick google shows according to a survey, women ogle men half as much as men ogle women, but they do ogle, so ....

Third what about gays and lesbians, they will ogle their own sex, so that means not only are men not allowed in the women's section, neither are lesbians. Lets see the gay rights groups reaction to that!

OP, go into the women's section, when you kicked out sue for discrimination

Ladies, I'm sorry, I believe very strongly, not in women's rights, but in equality. We are all equal, regardless or sex or race or creed.

Gyms and Women only sections. Sexism or not?

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