Women in the Gym

In 2024, it’s easy for women to go to the gym. Most people know that women belong in the gym if they choose to go. There are many women who lift weights around the U.S. and world. But, there are still so many women who do not feel comfortable enough to get started in the gym. Why is that?

I started to consistently go to the gym in 2021, my freshman year in college. I’ve swam my whole life, so I’ve been in and out of the gym, but I started going 5 days a week once I got to campus. VCU has an amazing gym that comes with tuition. There is a downstairs area mostly full of machines, squat racks, and free weights. The upstairs is a majority of treadmills, stairmasters, and bikes; more cardio focused. The first month I started going to that gym, I stayed upstairs. I was very nervous to go downstairs with all of the big, bulky men and take up “their” space. When I was more confident in myself and my ability, I finally went downstairs to use the machines and weights. 

This is a feeling that many women have when they enter a gym. I have thought about why that could be and when reflecting on my experience, I think I understand why. 

Men seem to know exactly what to do in the gym when they are around 18-22 years old. They know how to work different machines, what workouts to do to hit certain muscles, and how to do exercises correctly to not hurt themselves. They have a headstart over women. When I was younger, I remember my dad taking my brother to the gym and teaching him at a young age how to do different lifting exercises. My brother played soccer so it makes sense that my dad would show him how to workout. But, I swam competitively during my middle and high school career, so wouldn’t it be beneficial for me to learn how to lift as well? 

I am not saying this to diss my dad or brother, but more so society and the stereotypes still instilled upon women. Growing up, men are more likely to have people around them, (friends, family, teachers, coaches) to show them how to exercise through lifting weights correctly. It’s different for women. I’ve definitely learned about gym etiquette from my dad and brother but a good amount of why I am so confident in my abilities is because of research. I’ve learned so much about lifting online. 

When I first started to go to the gym I felt like I had to know exactly how to do everything correctly to take up space. I was worried that men would judge me for doing something wrong. I know that this is most likely not true, but it is still something that other women think about as well. 

I say all of this to encourage men, fathers, brothers, and even other women to help women in the gym if they seem to be struggling. The gym is a place for everyone to go to ultimately feel better about themselves. That can be psychically, mentally, or even spiritually. The gym should be a judgment free zone, and I hope that most men understand that women come from a completely different place from them (most of the time) when they first enter the gym.