Navigating the Challenges:

Women's Experiences in
Co-Ed Gyms

ADMIN GROUP 2
Raunaq Singh Saini
Jannat Malhotra
Shrey Mittal
Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT..................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................2
BACKGROUND................................................................................................................3
OBJECTIVES...................................................................................................................4
METHODOLOGY.............................................................................................................5
QUESTIONNAIRE...........................................................................................................6
INTERVIEW.....................................................................................................................7
ANALYSIS........................................................................................................................9
DISCUSSION..................................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................18
SOLUTIONS...................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES...............................................................................................................20
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I'd want to start by expressing my gratitude to all of my great participants. Your confidence in
me to handle your stories and experiences was truly an honour. Without your assistance, this
research would not have been feasible. Working with everyone of you was a pleasure, and I
sincerely appreciate your assistance.

Next, I'd like to thank Prof. Vanita Sharma, who supervised my research paper. It is
uncommon to work with someone who is so welcoming and real but also so profoundly
knowledgeable and gifted. All of these things describe Vanita Ma'am. With her help and
direction, I was able to take my research to levels I had never imagined. I will always be
grateful to her for giving me the confidence and abilities I needed as a new researcher.

INTRODUCTION
Gyms have become a popular location for those who want to enhance their general well-
being and physical fitness, both of which are essential components of leading a healthy
lifestyle. However, for a lot of women, typical co-ed gyms can be a source of a variety of
challenges and obstacles to overcome. These challenges can take the form of unwelcome
attention and discomfort brought on by male gym-goers, as well as a lack of equipment and
programming that is specifically designed to meet the requirements of women. These
problems have led to the development in popularity of fitness centres that are exclusive to
women. These centres have become a secure and supportive environment in which women
may pursue their fitness goals without the distractions and challenges that are common in
gyms that are open to both genders.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of studies that have been conducted
to investigate the problems that women have when working out in conventional gyms and the
benefits that may be acquired from working out in women-only fitness centres. This research
study will investigate the significance of fitness centres that are exclusive to women as well
as the challenges that women encounter when working out in gyms that are open to both
genders. The study will also go into the experiences and perceptions of being a member of a
women's only gym, analysing the reasons why women choose women-only gyms and the
benefits that they experience as a result of their decision to go to a women's only gym. The
report will draw on previously published research in addition to first-hand accounts from
female participants who have worked out in women-only and mixed-gender gyms. This
research study seeks to provide useful insights into the necessity of building safe and
inclusive places for women to pursue their fitness objectives by putting light on the specific
issues faced by women in regular gyms and the benefits of women-only fitness centres. These
insights will be provided by shedding light on the unique challenges faced by women in
traditional gyms and the benefits of women-only fitness centres.

BACKGROUND
Women's fitness centres have emerged as a distraction- and challenge-free environment for
women to pursue their fitness objectives. When working out in co-ed gyms, women
encounter a unique set of obstacles, such as unwanted attention from male gym-goers, a lack
of equipment and programming tailored to women's needs, and a general sense of discomfort
or intimidation. These obstacles can prevent women from feeling secure and confident in
their gym, prompting them to seek out women-only fitness centres.

According to research, women who exercise in mixed-gender gyms frequently report feeling
unsafe or uneasy. More than half of the women surveyed by the American Council on
Exercise reported receiving unwanted attention from male gym-goers, and nearly 40%
reported being followed or accosted by a man while at the gym. These experiences can cause
women to experience anxiety, self-consciousness, or even fear while exercising, which can
reduce their motivation to continue exercising.

Women-only fitness centres, on the other hand, provide a safe and encouraging environment
for women to pursue their fitness objectives. These gyms offer women-specific programming
and equipment, as well as a supportive community of women working towards similar
objectives. It has been demonstrated that women-only gyms enhance members' feelings of
safety, confidence, and motivation, leading to improved physical and mental health outcomes.

Despite the benefits of women-only gyms, it is essential to determine how content women are
with their current gym environment. According to a study conducted by the International
Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, women who exercise in mixed-gender gyms are
less satisfied with their gym experience than males. Understanding the factors that contribute
to women's contentment with their gym environment can assist gym owners and managers in
creating more inclusive and supportive exercise spaces for women.

Overall, the significance of women-only fitness centres and the difficulties women
experience in co-ed gyms demonstrate the need for secure and welcoming spaces for women
to pursue their fitness goals. By understanding how secure women feel while exercising in
co-ed gyms and how satisfied they are with the current environment of their gym, we can
create more inclusive and supportive gym environments for all women.

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this research paper is :
 To examine the importance of women’s only fitness clubs as a safe and supportive
space for women to pursue their fitness goals.
 To identify the problems faced by women in co-ed gyms.
 To investigate how women feel while working out in co-ed gyms.
 Assessing the level of satisfaction among women with the current environment of
their gym.
 To provide recommendations for gym owners to create more inclusive and supportive
spaces for women to exercise.

By achieving these objectives, this research paper contributes to a better understanding of the
challenges faced by women in traditional gyms and benefits of women-only fitness centres,
as well as provide insights for improving gym environment for women.
METHODOLOGY

Research Design:
The research design will be exploratory and descriptive in nature, with a mixed-methods
approach. A survey will be conducted to collect quantitative data through a ‘questionnaire’,
and ‘on-phone interview’ will be conducted to gather qualitative data. The survey will be
administered to women who work out in co-ed gyms, women who work out in women-only
gyms, and women who do not work out at all. The interview will be conducted with women
who work out in co-ed gyms and women-only gyms.

Sampling:
A non-probability sampling technique, specifically convenience sampling, will be used to
select participants. The sample size for the survey will be 50 participants, with a few
responses attached below. The interview was taken of 4-5 participants. We collected our data
from women of age 18 to 40 years.

Data Collection:
The survey will be conducted using an online survey tool, and the link will be shared through
social media platforms and email. The interviews will be conducted in-person and on-phone.
Data will also be collected from some research papers and published articles on Google.

Ethical Considerations:
Participants' confidentiality and anonymity will be ensured throughout the study. The data
collected will be stored securely and will only be accessible to the researchers. The study will
be conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines set out by the Institutional Review
Board.

Limitations:
The study has some limitations. Firstly, the sample size may not be representative of the
larger population. Secondly, the study only includes women, and the results cannot be
generalized to men. Finally, the study is limited to a particular geographical region and may
not be applicable to other regions.
QUESTIONNAIRE
We’ve used Likert Scale questionnaire to collect our data from our sample population.
It is a multiple item agree-disagree five-point scale. The respondents are given a certain
number of items (statements) on which they are asked to express their degree of agreement or
disagreement.
Following are the criteria of evaluation of our Likert scale:
1 – Totally Disagree/ Not at all
2 – Disagree
3 – Neutral
4 – Agree
5 – Strongly Agree/ Totally

Advantages of Likert Scale Questionnaires:

1. Flexibility: Likert scales are highly flexible and can be used to measure a wide range
of attitudes, opinions, and perceptions.
2. Easy to administer: Likert scale questionnaires are relatively easy to administer, both
in-person and online, making them a popular choice for surveys.
3. Quantifiable: Responses on a Likert scale can be easily quantified and analyzed
statistically, allowing researchers to draw meaningful conclusions.
4. Consistency: Likert scales are designed to be consistent and reliable, providing a
standardized approach to collecting data.
5. Easy to understand: Likert scales are simple to understand and require minimal
instruction, making them suitable for use with diverse populations.

Disadvantages of Likert Scale Questionnaires:

1. Limited response options: The use of a limited response scale can be restrictive and
may not capture the full range of attitudes and opinions.
2. Interpretation issues: Interpretation of the data can be challenging because the
response options may not be interpreted in the same way by all respondents.
3. Social desirability bias: Respondents may be inclined to answer in a socially desirable
way, leading to biased responses.
4. Scale direction: The direction of the scale can influence responses, as some
individuals may be more inclined to agree or disagree with statements based on the
scale direction.
5. Lack of context: Likert scales do not provide context for the responses,
meaning that respondents may be responding based on their own assumptions or
interpretations of the items.

INTERVIEW

Following are questions we asked from some women we could manage to take ‘on-call
interview’ with:
1. How would you classify your fitness level?
2. What is your exercise and/or sport history?
3. How long have you attended and/or worked at The Gym?
• How many days per week do you come to The Gym?
• How long per day are you at The Gym?
• Do you attend any of the classes? If so, which ones?
4. What types of interactions do you have with the members?
5. Does the atmosphere influence how you feel about yourself? Please explain.

Advantages of On-call Interview Survey:

1) Allows for personalized questions: On-call interview surveys allow the interviewer to
personalize the questions based on the respondent's answers, leading to more accurate
and detailed data.
2) High response rates: On-call interviews typically have higher response rates compared
to other survey methods because the interviewer can answer any questions and
provide more information about the study.
3) Allows for follow-up questions: On-call interviews allow the interviewer to ask
follow-up questions, clarifying the respondent's answers and gaining deeper insights
into their experiences.
 4) More reliable data: On-call interviews are less susceptible to incomplete or inaccurate
data compared to self-administered surveys because the interviewer can clarify any
ambiguities or confusion.

Disadvantages of On-call Interview Survey:

1) Time-consuming: On-call interviews are time-consuming, both for the interviewer
and the respondent, leading to a smaller sample size compared to other survey
methods.
2) Limited geographic reach: On-call interviews are limited to specific geographic areas,
making it difficult to generalize the findings to a larger population.
3) Response bias: On-call interviews can be subject to response bias because the
interviewer's personality or style may influence the respondent's answers.
4) Limited anonymity: On-call interviews are less anonymous compared to self-
administered surveys, leading to less honest and accurate answers.

Overall, an on-call interview survey may be appropriate for the research questions mentioned
above as it allows for personalized questions, follow-up questions, and high response rates.
However, it is time-consuming and may be subject to response bias and limited anonymity.
ANALYSIS
We collected data through a questionnaire and a few interviews regarding safety of women in
gym and with the purpose to understand the activities of women and men in a gym
environment. This questionnaire was given to be responded only by women so that we can
observe some type of pattern between the answers and try to figure out what possibly might
be the reality of gyms throughout minds of different women.

In our first question is that how do the respondents feel about their fitness level to make them
think that this questionnaire is for another gym and not any research (making this a
formalized and concealed questionnaire).
Most of the women that responded to the questionnaire don’t want to disclose their fitness
level or maybe they don’t maintain it that much thus they might have marked it to be neutral.
The next is that how safe do women feel while working out in their co-ed gyms, in which the
majority of the women feel somewhat safe in their gyms whereas almost 18-19% respondents
think that they’re not at all safe in their gyms while working out.

Since the weight training area is a male dominated area, it is not that prominently used by
women in India, until and unless the person is comfortable working around men. Through our
questionnaire we observed that generally women are not seen that much in weight training
area.
In this question, the main purpose was to see that how much does it affect women’s workout
routine if they have any male trainer. The responses were that 37% women aren’t affected
anyway either positive or negative if they have a male trainer whereas 30% women do not
feel that comfortable if they have a male trainer with them.

Through this question, we were able to interpret that women are not comfortable to seek help
from male trainers. Most women are not able to do their exercises or workouts correctly
sometimes since they fear asking for help might build a wrong perspective about them and
therefore, they rather stay quiet about their problems instead of asking for help.
Since most women are not comfortable seeking help from Male trainers, they do feel that if
there is any female trainer available, they’ll be able to communicate more easily and thus
they won’t be having much problems while working out.

When we took the interview of a few women, they did tell us that they are being
watched by men while working out, whereas in the questionnaire, the respondents don’t
feel as such. But still few women do feel like they’re always being observed by men.
Women don’t have a proper perspective about their gym and thus they’re neither towards or
against the current environment in their gyms and mostly it doesn’t matter as such to them if
they want any improvements or not.

Although women don’t feel there are much improvements necessary in their gyms but they
still feel that a lot of safety measures should be added for women in gyms as there are many
cases where women don’t feel safe working out on their own in gyms too.
Majority of the women would join a female only gym since there is not much concern for
safety, but we did got to know through an interview that women are often really
competitive to each other as well and they don’t behave or respond properly in gyms.

DISCUSSION
Contrary Cultures
The higher order theme "clashing cultures" exemplifies how the culture of The Gym and
macro-cultures overlap, as well as how this impacts the patrons and personnel. The "reasons
for attending women's-only gyms," the "body pressure" felt by members and employees, and
their "exercise motivation" were all clear indications of the combined influence of the two
cultures.

Reasons for Attending Women’s-only Gyms

The factors influencing these women's decisions to work out in a women's-only gym are both
the gym and larger cultures. In talks about why the women opted to go to The Gym rather
than a co-ed gym, the theme "reasons for attending women's-only gyms" came up. Data
categories related to the theme include "benefits of a women's-only gym," "avoid the male
gaze," and "co-ed gyms as intimidating."
The pull factors, or gains attributable to "the all-women aspect" of the gym, are expressed in
this data category. For instance, a few of the female participants only claimed that they "feel
more comfortable" and that they believe the topic "fits" them.
Co-ed gyms are typically described as being predominately male. The bulk of the individuals
there are men, according to the women, and there are typically too many men at coed gyms.
There are more particular reasons to stay away from co-ed gyms because they are thought to
be predominately male environments.
Women perceive a sense of competitiveness while exercising in a co-ed gym because they
believe that males seek to turn everything into a competition and that they compete with each
other and with other members.
The ladies made a distinction between the "individual workout level" found in women-only
gyms and the workout "competition" prevalent in co-ed clubs.
Many women decide to join a women-only gym in order to avoid the customary male
attention found at coed gyms. Co-ed gyms, as was previously mentioned, were perceived as
being "dominated by men" and the women felt uncomfortable there. Another lady added: It
was just such a space free from the masculine gaze. I think it is perfect to have a male
treadmill technician was here, and I wasn't upset. It is a place of safety where the masculine
gaze is absent. So, it has to do with safety—both physical safety and safety from public
scrutiny.
The types of activities that women felt comfortable performing with men around were
specifically influenced by the male gaze, which made women "uncomfortable" in general.
Depending on personal opinions and interests, women-only gyms may or may not be
relevant. A women-only gym may be necessary for some women since it offers a relaxing and
secure setting for exercise. Women-only gyms can offer a secure environment where they can
work out without feeling attacked or intimidated, as I previously indicated. A women-only
gym may also be more welcoming to women who are self-conscious about their bodies or are
new to working out.
Additionally, women-only gyms can support the dismantling of cultural barriers and promote
physical activity among women from all cultural backgrounds. Some women may hail from
cultures or religions where engaging in physical activity in front of males is inappropriate or
unsettling. Women can work out in a friendly setting in a gym that is only for women without
having to compromise their morals or social mores.
Others, though, might not see the need for a gym just for women. Many co-ed gyms have put
policies in place to make sure women feel safe and at ease, including providing female staff
members, having female sections or hours, and enforcing rigorous codes of behaviour. The
choice to join a women-only gym or not ultimately comes down to personal preferences,
cultural background, and safety considerations but there are certainly benefits of it.

Benefits of a Women’s-only gym

Reduced Gymtimidation
Gymtimidation is the term used to describe the loss of confidence you experience while
working out, whether it be due to looking unfit or not understanding how to utilise the
equipment. You need to psychologically prepare yourself to go to the gym in the first place;
worrying about what other people will think is unnecessary.
When it comes to achieving your fitness objectives, feeling intimidated by large, strong males
at the gym may really throw a wrench in the works. There is undoubtedly less peer pressure
and intimidation at a gym when women are the only members.

More facilities for women-only exercise

There are more pieces of equipment and sessions geared towards ladies and the female body
if you join a gym that is only for women. Women appreciate group exercise programmes that
engage the complete body and the head, while males typically prefer to show off at the
handling free weights and gym machines.
In addition to weight training, this calls for more yoga, pilates, barre, Zumba, and flexibility
programmes.

More privacy and intimacy

Women-only gyms are typically quieter and cosier than the majority of co-ed gyms. Many co-
ed gyms are large and overrun with complicated equipment, leaving you feeling bewildered
and unsure of where to begin.
A women's gym typically offers private, one-on-one personal training sessions to assist you
reach your fitness goals.

Wonderful Way to Network

Let's face it, a gym is the ideal location to socialise, network, and make new friends in
addition to being a great place to let off some steam and get your body in fantastic shape. A
women-only gym is a fantastic place to meet other like-minded, self-assured, accomplished
women.

Integrated, encouraging approach

A women-only gym's all-encompassing holistic approach to fitness is another advantage.
Being a fit, healthy woman involves more than simply exercising; it also involves good diet
and emotional support. One of the many advantages of a women-only gym is being
surrounded by female expert trainers who comprehend this holistic approach.

Need Of It
There is a demand for women-only gyms for a number of reasons, including cultural and
individual preferences, safety and privacy issues. Here are some explanations for why some
female gymgoers might favour them:

Personal preferences and cultural norms: In some societies, it may be undesirable or

unsettling for women to exercise in front of men. In addition, due to individual preferences or
prior experiences, some women might feel better at ease exercising in a setting where only
women are present.

Safety reasons : Unfortunately, many women have reported being harassed or receiving
unwelcome attention when exercising in gyms with both men and women. Women-only gyms
can offer a secure environment where they can work out without fear or intimidation.

Privacy issues: Due to privacy issues, some women might feel more at ease working out in a
gym that is exclusively for women. Women who wear the hijab or other religious head
coverings, for instance, might prefer to exercise in a gym where only women are allowed so
they can take off their head coverings without men noticing.
In general, the necessity for gyms exclusively for women is a personal decision that should be
acknowledged. Women can exercise and take care of their physical and emotional health
there without worrying about being judged or feeling embarrassed.

Are gyms for women only the solution to sexual harassment?

Women-only gyms can offer a secure and welcoming setting where they can work out
without worrying about being harassed or drawing unwelcome attention to themselves. It's
crucial to remember, though, that women-only gyms might not always be the solution to
sexual harassment.

In order to address the cultural issue of sexual harassment, multiple strategies must be used.
Women-only gyms might offer a short-term fix, but it's critical to address the underlying
issues that contribute to harassment, such as gender inequity and negative cultural norms.

It's also important to understand that harassment and discrimination can happen anywhere,
even at gyms that are exclusively for women. Because of this, it's critical to have policies in
place that forbid any type of harassment and to respond appropriately when incidences do
occur.

Overall, women-only gyms may offer a secure and welcoming environment for women to
work out, but they do not offer a full solution to the issue of sexual harassment. In order to
avoid and respond to events in all contexts, it is crucial to address the root causes of
harassment and discrimination.

CONCLUSION
This study, which was framed under feminist cultural studies and feminist geography, looked
at how people felt about a women's-only gym and how social space played a part in shaping
those feelings. The majority of the ladies said that the women-only gym will make them feel
accepted and like they belong. Furthermore, because men predominate in co-ed gyms, the
study's female participants said they felt "out of place" there. This uneasy feeling was
frequently brought on by the male gaze, which would be lessened in a gym exclusively for
women.
Because there was no overt male gaze or traditional ideals of femininity, women felt
empowered to move their bodies and engage in physical activity.
According to our investigation, women believed that a women's only gym would foster an
environment of acceptance and friendships amongst the staff and members.
Our analysis of a poll of women from various age groups revealed an interesting finding:
regardless of their age, size, or degree of fitness, they felt comfortable going to a women's-
only gym without worrying about being criticised.
Another finding was that women thought a gym only for women would be comfortable since
it would prevent them from feeling like "they are on display". The women said that they
disliked feeling like they were on display in coed gyms.
It's interesting that the women had trouble explaining their motivation for joining a gym for
women only. They enjoyed the friendship and sense of acceptance they had at the women's
only gym. They objected to men predominating in traditional institutions. Men "turned
everything into a competition," according to employees and members, which they did not
enjoy at mainstream facilities. They claimed that the women-only gym allowed them to
workout at their own speed without having to worry about others comparing their fitness
levels or engaging in competition. The women had faith in their capacity for exercise. The
lack of pressure to "impress" anyone or worry about guys observing them was appealing to
the ladies.
The spaces can provide a location where women can feel more at ease with their bodies than
they would at mainstream facilities, as opposed to being entirely and passively formed by
masculine hegemony and hegemonically defined femininity. In other words, the gym's culture
can counteract the harmful effects of the larger culture. This can be done by intentionally
creating an environment that is supportive and encouraging with just a minimum infiltration
of hegemonically defined femininity and hegemonically defined masculinity .

SOLUTIONS
Increased staff training: Gym employees should receive comprehensive training on how to
identify and respond to incidents of harassment and assault. This training should cover de-
escalation techniques, reporting procedures, and victim support.

Female-only spaces: Gyms could provide dedicated spaces for women to work out without
fear of harassment or unwanted attention from men. This could include female-only sections
or hours, as well as female-only classes and personal training sessions.
Clear reporting procedures: Gyms should have clear reporting procedures in place for
incidents of harassment and assault. These procedures should be communicated to all gym
users and staff, and should outline the steps to be taken in the event of an incident.

Increased accountability: Gym owners and operators should take a more proactive approach
to addressing incidents of harassment and assault. This could include holding staff
accountable for incidents that occur on their watch and implementing consequences for
perpetrators of harassment and assault.

Cultural shift: Finally, a cultural shift is needed to create a safer and more inclusive
environment for women in gyms. This includes challenging toxic masculinity and promoting
a culture of respect and inclusivity.

REFERENCES

“Likert Scale: Examples and How to Use It.” SurveyMonkey,

https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/likert-scale/.

“OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations.” OhioLINK, 8 June 2016,

https://www.ohiolink.edu/content/ohiolink_electronic_theses_and_dissertations.

University of Waterloo.
https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/handle/10012/8533/Fisher_MaryJames.pdf.

Why Don't Average Young Women in India Hit the Gym? - Quora.
https://www.quora.com/Why-dont-average-young-women-in-India-hit-the-gym.