The gym has often been perceived as a man’s place, and not necessarily for women. As such, a woman going to the gym, at times, is looked at strange, or it triggers all sorts of weird theories.
This situation results in the gym becoming a non-friendly environment for most women, who simply want to keep fit and maintain healthy bodies. The women face challenges that mainly emanate from such a perception despite it being archaic.
Times have changed and we all ought to understand the importance of working out in the gym; it is more than about the physical stature, but also about maintaining a healthy mental state and all of the other benefits it comes with.
As such, the gym needs to be made a conducive environment for everyone, regardless of gender. Everybody going to the gym needs to be treated with utmost respect and dignity. No one needs to be intimidated because of their gender. The gym doesn’t belong to one specific gender.
This means there is no need to be judgmental, especially towards women attending the gym. After all, women are actually taking leading roles in fitness training and are doing it far much better than men.
Some men are even learning fitness training from women, and some are inspired to start working out because women going to the gym are thriving.
Everyone working in the gym, therefore, ought to play a role in creating that needed conducive environment for everybody to work out and thrive. Let’s not condone any uncalled for behaviour targeting women. We should learn to protect them in the same way we would protect our mothers, our sisters, nieces etc.
For those of us that don’t go to the gym, let’s not assume the worst about women going to the gym. As a matter of fact, let’s support and encourage them; it’s their choice and it’s their personal fitness journey.
Gone are the days when men were perceived as the only leaders in everything. Women are equally born leaders.
In our big interview this week, certified fitness coach Alice Chipanda gives an insightful account of her fitness journey, which should inspire many women out there who are eager about keeping fit and maintaining healthy bodies.
But all in all the gym is for everyone and a conducive environment is needed while we allay the perceptions that this is only a man’s place.
