Women Turn to Female-Only Gyms to Escape Unwanted Attention
An increasing number of women, inspired by fitness influencers, are opting for female-only gyms as a shield against unwanted male attention.
According to a study by OriGym, 60% of women have experienced harassment in mixed-gender gyms, ranging from mocking remarks to inappropriate comments about their bodies.
In light of these unsettling encounters, many women intentionally steer clear of areas in gyms perceived to be dominated by men, like weightlifting zones and open workout spaces.
Research from Girls Spot Gym reveals that an impressive 79 percent of women would switch to a gym exclusively for females, where men are entirely prohibited.
These alarming statistics and negative personal experiences are motivating entrepreneurs to create secure environments where women can exercise freely.
Personal Stories of Harassment
Emily Williams, a 29-year-old from London, recounted her first experience of gym-related sexual harassment at the age of 24. While working out, a man made persistent remarks about her physique.
“He approached me from behind and made a comment about my backside. I didn’t appreciate it at all,” Emily shared. “I confronted him, asking, ‘What’s your problem? Why do you keep commenting?’ He replied, ‘I’m a man; that’s just what we do.’
Unfortunately, Emily’s encounters with harassment did not stop there. “I recently left a gym because someone recorded me without my consent,” she stated. “On another occasion, a man was on FaceTime while I was exercising, turning his phone toward me to film.”
Frustrated, Emily launched an Instagram page, Gym Safe Ladies, aimed at exposing sexual harassment and sexism that occur in gyms across the country. In 2022, she discussed these issues with London Mayor Sadiq Khan and various commercial gyms as part of their Lift Me Lift campaign.
Influencers Join the Movement
Fitness influencer Natalee Barnett, who boasts over 2.5 million followers across social media platforms, has also been vocal about gym harassment. She spoke to FEMAIL about the spectrum of unwanted attention she faces at the gym.
“From staring and mansplaining to being physically touched and feeling intimidated, women deserve to work out just as much as anyone else,” she expressed. Natalee also shared her personal experience of being sexually assaulted at 18 in a gym setting.
Recalling the incident, Natalee said, “While I was laying on a bench, he touched me inappropriately. It was so quick that I initially questioned whether it really happened. I couldn’t believe someone would behave like that in a public space.”
Having experienced such trauma, Natalee sought to join a women-only fitness club; however, she found them lacking in equipment and space suited to her training needs.
“Women-only gyms are often poorly equipped,” Natalee noted. “They reinforce the notion that women can’t lift heavy weights. In my experience, the highest dumbbell available was only 20kg, and there were plenty of cardio machines, which implies that women are only there to lose weight.”
Creating Safe Spaces
Feeling cornered by the absence of suitable women-only gyms, Natalee realized there was a void in the market and made the decision to open her own gym, designed exclusively for women, where a wide variety of classes and equipment would be accessible without men present.
“This isn’t an anti-men agenda; it’s about creating a safe environment for women,” she stated. “I’ve considered other approaches to address gym harassment, but removing men from the equation is the most effective solution.”
After years of searching for investors, Natalee recently secured a lease for space in southeast London, marking the launch of Girls Spot Gym—a fitness facility created by women specifically for women.
Though not yet open, the announcement of the gym garnered tremendous interest, with over 5,400 women registering their interest within 48 hours. “This demonstrates the overwhelming demand for a space like this,” Natalee enthused.
The Diverse Women’s Community
Natalee believes that the Girls Spot Gym will cater to a diverse clientele, including Muslim women and first-time exercisers. “New mothers, like myself, often find it challenging to navigate their postpartum bodies in front of men,” she noted.
“Every woman deserves the opportunity to train on their terms, pursue their fitness goals, and feel comfortable while doing so, regardless of their fitness journey,” added Natalee.
Success Stories from Existing Women-Only Gyms
Lynsey Parkins, who operates The Fitness Monkey out of StrongHer, a female-only gym in Bethnal Green, London, has witnessed how powerful women-only spaces can be.
She explained, “There is a significant Muslim community that seeks to train but feels unable to do so in commercial gyms due to attire restrictions. In an all-female environment, they can comfortably exercise without worry.”
Lynsey also provides fitness classes for new mothers, understanding the difficulty in finding gyms that accommodate women with babies. “When I was on maternity leave, no gyms allowed me to bring my infant, so I created exercise classes tailored for new mothers,” she explained.
Expanded Opportunities and Future Directions
“Our clients leave feeling empowered, confident, and safe; we’ve created a strong sense of community here,” Lynsey added. The personal trainers play a major role in fostering a relaxed yet engaging environment, where members are encouraged to converse openly about topics affecting their lives.
Major chains like PureGym and Fitness4Less have recognized the growing need for women-only spaces. Total Fitness, which operates 15 large clubs across northern England and Wales, introduced its first female-only space last year in Manchester after extensive research showed high demand among female gym-goers.
Sophie Lawler, Total Fitness CEO, commented, “Our Women’s Gym is a commitment to understanding and addressing the needs of women in fitness. By listening to thousands of women’s feedback, we designed a space that promotes ease, comfort, and an uninterrupted workout, regardless of their life circumstances.”
