Gym harassment: Why female gym-goers must be given their own safe space

Gym culture in 2022 is advertised as a friendly, positive space created for people wanting to become the best versions of themselves.

Through the world of social media, influencers inspire thousands with their easy to follow workout routines and ‘you can do it too’ mantras.

However, through the online platforms that have made keeping fit easier than ever, an ugly side of gym-going has been thrust into the spotlight.

Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution-inspired subscription, a passion for bodybuilding, or simply a way to keep on top of fitness, women are working on themselves in gyms all around the world.

But there’s recently been a surge in cases of inappropriate and even threatening behaviour from men towards female gym-goers.

Fitness influencer Beck Vassey recently advocated for all-female gyms in order to help women feel safer. The TikTok content creator, who is working on her fitness to help overcome an eating disorder, uploaded a video of a man repeatedly staring at her for prolonged periods of time while she was trying to workout.

In the caption of the video she explained that despite men believing women-only  gyms are sexist, her footage demonstrated exactly why these facilities are being called for.

Another TikTok user, US marine vet Emily Telesca, shared footage of her gym session being interrupted by a man who had threatened to hit her with a dumbbell because he seemingly didn’t agree with the fact she was recording her workout.

Telesca had already been made to feel uncomfortable when the man questioned why she was filming herself, before apparently rolling his eyes. He described her as a “conceited f**ing girl” to another gym member before making the comment about hitting her.

In some cases, it’s not even