Women Who Gym
By: Rachel Williams
In a world where self-love and empowerment have become essential elements of our daily lives, the gym is not just a place to break a sweat anymore. The gym is evolving to a place where we as women can redefine our physical and mental limits.
For many women, the gym is a place of self-discovery and empowerment. For others, it can be an environment that fosters anxiety and can be a place that makes many women feel unsafe.
Zoha Aman, a sophomore finance major and vice president of TU Girl Gains, an exercise club dedicated to promoting female fitness and empowering women and non-binary individuals, used to feel the nerves many women feel about the gym. Many factors contribute to making the gym a stressful environment for women, from being self conscious about form to the overwhelming amount of people in the space. But, with time, Aman found ways to make going to the gym a more positive experience.
“You just gotta push through,” Aman said. “I think going in with a plan, wearing loud headphones and not making eye contact are things that helped me when I was anxious.”
There are many ways to make the gym more enjoyable like setting clear fitness goals, learning proper techniques, and starting with manageable routines. These practices can build self-assurance and increase women’s confidence at the gym.
It’s important to adopt a mindset that prioritizes health over appearance, and celebrating every achievement along the way can empower college girls to feel more comfortable and confident in the gym environment. Confidence at the gym often comes with practice, consistency, and a positive attitude.
The gym is also a place where many women feel unsafe. It can be hard to focus on your workout if you are always in a state of discomfort. From body checking to being insecure about how to use the machines, it’s important to remember that everyone is at the gym for their own personal reasons and many people are willing to help others out.
“The other day I was trying to do a pull-up with a resistance band and I couldn’t reach to pull the band,” Aman said. “A guy walked up to me and asked if I needed help, and he just pulled it, and I said thank you, and he went on his way.”
Many women-only gyms in Philadelphia focus on women feeling safe and healthy. KG Strong, located on 1901 S. Ninth St., offers female-focused private training, kettlebell-specific coaching, small group training, and yoga. KG Strong is just one of a few of the women-only fitness centers in Philadelphia.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the gym is the sense of community it fosters. Women who go to the gym often find themselves surrounded by like-minded individuals who share their goals and aspirations of becoming stronger and feeling healthy. Women have created a supportive environment that encourages growth and progress at the gym.
Experiencing anxiety or feeling uncomfortable at the gym is normal, and many women go through it every day. The gym is a place that should make everyone feel strong and confident. Going to workout classes, working out with a friend or joining a group like TU Girl Gains is a great place to start fighting off the negative energy that is related to public fitness.
Being a woman at the gym is a journey of challenges, triumphs and self-discovery. The concerns of safety and intimidation are real but not insurmountable. It is time for women to reshape gym culture, create safe spaces, and find strength within themselves and their communities to make it a positive environment.