For & Against: Are the university right to introduce women only gym sessions?

For - Laura Carter

The introduction of a ÔÇÿwomen onlyÔÇÖ gym session at the Heath park gym comes after a motion proposed by Taslima Alam was passed at AMM, which aimed for better representation of Muslim students in the StudentsÔÇÖ Union. It stipulated that a ÔÇÿwomen onlyÔÇÖ gym session was a need that ought to be provided for.

According to Taslima, the fact that the motion ÔÇÿhad the support of nearly 400 students (both male and female) highlights that many students recognise the need for such a provision and supportÔÇÖ and further stressed that ÔÇÿemploying a womenÔÇÖs only session is not a new concept, itÔÇÖs a provision that has been adopted in many gyms across the nationÔÇÖ.

It is dismaying that the introduction of a ÔÇÿwomenÔÇÖs onlyÔÇÖ gym session has met with criticism. Believing that such a provision is ÔÇÿsexistÔÇÖ highlights a real misunderstanding of the issue.

Firstly, the idea that a ÔÇÿwomen onlyÔÇÖ gym session would defy equality is untrue. There is a na├»ve impression that we have already reached gender equality in society and that such a proposal would elevate women above men. Pressures in society form a barrier preventing women participating in fitness and sport. The gym is not a neutral institution. The gym has always been a masculine realm and was historically the domain of young men to encourage their physical and mental development in Ancient Greece and literally translates ÔÇÿto train nakedÔÇÖ.

ÔÇÿWomen onlyÔÇÖ gym sessions allow women to concentrate on their own fitness without fear of being objectified or judged by men. For example, Pharmacy student Alex Langberg remarked that women feel less comfortable using weights than cardio when men are there as they view it as ÔÇÿtheir turfÔÇÖ. She describes how a womanÔÇÖs presence in the weights section is a ÔÇÿgo-ahead for chatting her upÔÇÖ because she is a ÔÇÿwalking targetÔÇÖ.

Likewise, women already face struggles with body image thanks to a media that demands certain beauty standards for women, from the Daily MailÔÇÖs ÔÇÿsidebar of shameÔÇÖ to airbrushing female Olympic athletes in magazines so they seem less muscly. This environment is already hostile notwithstanding the expectation that women should wear tight fitting and/or revealing clothing to exercise. This expectation is not compatible with the norms of some women from certain cultural backgrounds. A ÔÇÿwomen onlyÔÇÖ gym session aims to accommodate these cultural norms and encourage women to maintain their fitness and interact with the StudentsÔÇÖ Union as a whole.

Another qualm is that a ÔÇÿwomen onlyÔÇÖ gym session may undermine the insecurities men may feel. The pressure to be macho and muscular in the gym is overwhelming for some men and has certainly contributed to a rise in body image disorders, such as muscle dysmorphia and male bulimia. There is now a definite expectation from some members of society that males should regularly be going to the gym. A man may feel an expectation to be a certain way because of his gender. And these unreasonable societal expectations affect both women and men. To say ÔÇÿwhat about men?ÔÇÖ in retaliation doesnÔÇÖt mean that women or the Union are dismissing male body issues by providing women onlyÔÇÖ gym sessions. But denying women their own gym session isnÔÇÖt going to improve the issue for anyone. We should be working together to tackle these issues and thereÔÇÖs no reason why the Union shouldnÔÇÖt have a campaign on image issues amongst men.

As the future WomenÔÇÖs Officer, I support any initiative that strives for gender equality. The important thing to realise is that achieving equality does not mean treating everyone the same, some need particular support and consideration whilst others donÔÇÖt. Providing these facilities is not discrimination or sexist, itÔÇÖs trying to achieve an inclusion that currently does not exist.

Against - Greg James

I was disappointed to discover my gym has implemented a ÔÇÿWomen Only HourÔÇÖ and that this wasnÔÇÖt a moneymaking scheme, but rather a result of pressure from student representatives.┬á The predominant theme for this change?┬á Women not wanting to exercise in front of men.

Unsurprisingly, my initial tongue-in-cheek objection on Twitter was met with clich├® retorts like, ÔÇÿposturing blokes trying to impress usÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿjerks who ogle the boob-bounceÔÇÖ.┬á Amusing that the irony of such flagrant generalist, and obscenely sexist comments are clearly lost on these individuals.

Surely the ability to contort oneÔÇÖs face into a defecating rictus, while sweating through your gym-vest and smelling like a jockstrap is surely the least impressive you can be?┬á I can say with certainty, that with a barbell on my back, I have nothing on my mind other than lifting the weight safely.

The UK recently gave the maximum score to the somewhat musically-challenged, but decidedly brave Conchita, whose transgender performance took the Eurovision by storm – striking a decisive victory for transgender individuals everywhere.

So why are some keen to draw a firm line between gender in the gym, when a spectrum is evolving – whilst also tacitly implying that gender prejudice is acceptable?┬á The Russian right wing, having reflected on this defeat, now wants to pull out of the Eurovision competition and have a ÔÇÿstraight-onlyÔÇÖ event.┬á Sounds eerily familiar here?

It is grossly unfair to expect those working at a gym to make an impulsive judgement on someoneÔÇÖs gender, thus barring them from the gym – just as it is unfair for those who might identify as female to be excluded on appearance rather than on the basis of oneÔÇÖs own recognition of their gender.

ÔÇÿWomen OnlyÔÇÖ is nothing but a plaster over a suppurating wound.

ÔÇÿLad cultureÔÇÖ or any gender prejudice isnÔÇÖt going to disappear unless challenged. The bigoted contingent have it that much easier to defend their assumed ÔÇÿrightÔÇÖ to marginalise you.┬á Would Rosa Parks have been placated with a ÔÇÿBlack HourÔÇÖ on the buses or might she turn in her grave knowing that female students not only allowed themselves to be put in a box?

A quick poll of men at the gym responded positively to ÔÇÿWomen OnlyÔÇÖ with statements like ÔÇÿGOODÔǪthey wonÔÇÖt get in the way of my proper workoutÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿthey wonÔÇÖt be here in the evenings nowÔÇÖ If this was the intention of this bizarre gender segregation policy, entirely reminiscent of race segregation in 1940ÔÇÖs America, then mission accomplished.

Emily Davison, who famously died after being trampled to death by the KingÔÇÖs horse, fighting for WomenÔÇÖs rights would be pleased to know that modern women prefer not to continue the fight for gender equality.┬á Instead, they would rather languish in ÔÇÿWomenÔÇÖs OnlyÔÇÖ, and pretend they are exempt from trying to improve the status quo.

My suggestion would be a ÔÇÿNovice HourÔÇÖ, in which a dedicated gym instructor is present for the duration.┬á They could give tips and advice on fitness, but also take a firm stance on making the gym environment more accessible to ANYONE who feels it threatening.┬á It is intimidating when you start, (I know, I was uneasy setting my foot in the gym for the first time) but so are most new experiences.┬á Sadly the ÔÇÿgym bullyÔÇÖ, like any persecutor transcends gender, race, age, religion and of course gymnasiums themselves.┬á So why here, are we letting equality slide?

I dream of a world where exercise becomes progressively more inclusive and a person is not judged by the colour of their skin, sexuality or gender but by their ability to show respect to others when exercising – and also putting weights away after theyÔÇÖre done.