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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To find the gym attire of some women completely inappropriate?

445 replies

Apolo90 · 24/02/2025 19:39

I went to the gym with a work colleague after work; it’s the first time I’ve been to that particular one.

I was taken aback by the number of women wearing either the tightest leggings imaginable, barely there sports bra’s and/or shorts which wouldn’t look out of place on the beach they were that sparse.

Is this really appropriate? I’m far from a prude but I like to exercise without being forced to stare at someone’s bottom squeezed into impossibly tight clothing.

Maybe I’m just getting old.

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Shodan · 28/02/2025 21:38

tipsandtoes · 28/02/2025 20:33

Tight leggings? Tightest leggings? What's the difference ?

What's the alternative? Baggy leggings?

Like Nora Batty's stockings maybe?

StarlightLady · 28/02/2025 21:00

tipsandtoes · 28/02/2025 20:33

Tight leggings? Tightest leggings? What's the difference ?

What's the alternative? Baggy leggings?

Split leggings 😀.

tipsandtoes · 28/02/2025 20:33

Tight leggings? Tightest leggings? What's the difference ?

What's the alternative? Baggy leggings?

NeverHadHaveHas · 28/02/2025 20:28

MidnightMeltdown · 28/02/2025 14:05

It's been a while since I visited a gym, but I think they tend to attract the vain types of both genders.

At least it makes an otherwise extremely boring place a bit more entertaining...

And you can tell they are vain how?

CatamaranViper · 28/02/2025 20:23

MidnightMeltdown · 28/02/2025 14:05

It's been a while since I visited a gym, but I think they tend to attract the vain types of both genders.

At least it makes an otherwise extremely boring place a bit more entertaining...

Ah, so I'm 13 stone and 5ft2, obvs I'm v vain, not just trying to shed a stone or two

Shodan · 28/02/2025 19:53

StarlightLady · 28/02/2025 17:14

Does the debauchery not stop. I went to my local pool yesterday, there was a woman swimming in a tight fitting costume thing. Her arms, legs and back were all exposed, causing evil thoughts in male swimmers. What is worse, it was at a time when she should have been making her husband’s dinner. 🫢🤣🤣

OMG 😱I bet she was doing the breaststroke as well, the brazen hussy.

Since my last post on this thread I've been back to the gym (so Vain!!) and casually observed the various outfits.

There were a few chaps wearing tracksuit trousers and hoodies. Most were wearing tracksuit trousers and a t shirt which was slightly form-fitting.

Most of the women (ages ranging, at a guess, from early twenties to at least 56- I know this because that's how old I am) were wearing form-fitting leggings with a t-shirt. Some were sleeveless. One woman was wearing a matching crop top and leggings.

Whether or not the women's vulvas were on show, I couldn't tell you, because I'm not a perv who stares at people's crotches. Even when they're on the adductor thingy.

StarlightLady · 28/02/2025 17:14

Does the debauchery not stop. I went to my local pool yesterday, there was a woman swimming in a tight fitting costume thing. Her arms, legs and back were all exposed, causing evil thoughts in male swimmers. What is worse, it was at a time when she should have been making her husband’s dinner. 🫢🤣🤣

gannett · 28/02/2025 16:34

TheWorminLabyrinth · 28/02/2025 15:07

Hard agree with all of this. I've read this thread open-mouthed. Well, not really, because it's MN and MN these days does the work of the patriarchy for them.

There is no such thing as 'sexualised' gym wear. There are just clothes. Some are tight and show more flesh than others. If the Mary Whitehouse types on this thread are then sexualising a person because of their clothes, it is them with the problem.

And it is literally only them with the problem, because all the clothes they object to are permitted at gyms. Thong bikinis and speedos are permitted at beaches and swimming pools. I can run in my local park in a sports bra, and men can run topless. None of us will alter our behaviour because of weird prudes who think the human body is "grim".

So yes it's their right to tut-tut and judge us, just as it's our right to wear what we want, but they have to do that in their heads. Venting out loud (or even online, as on this thread) will just lead to mockery. So all they're doing is consigning themselves to a very angry headspace that isn't going to change anything. Sounds like a very unpleasant way to live. Not my problem though!

maximalistmaximus · 28/02/2025 15:53

The only thing inappropriate is the attitude of misogynists

NeverHadHaveHas · 28/02/2025 15:27

People have made the point that ‘men don’t wear tight gym clothes’ as an argument for women using tight gym wear to look sexualised and for attention.

Men don’t tend to wear tight swim wear either but I don’t hear anyone saying that women are sexualising swim wear when they wear a bikini instead of loose swimming trunks. I assume all the women who are offended by tight gym clothes wear loose swimming trunks and baggy rash vests on holiday?

ItGhoul · 28/02/2025 15:25

ToBeOrNotToBee · 28/02/2025 12:30

At the beach are you repeatedly bending over, squatting and lunging within spitting distance of others?
No. Thought not.

So what are you saying? It's OK to wear tight clothing if you're just lying still on a lounger and looking pretty for passers-by, but not OK if you're training and working out and achieving something? I see.

So much internalised misogyny on this thread.

TheWorminLabyrinth · 28/02/2025 15:09

So why don't men wear tight shirts or crop tops?

Oh, and they do in my gym. Particularly in the weights section. Very short tight shorts. Often topless. Lots of the men also wear those GPS crop top/vests too.

TheWorminLabyrinth · 28/02/2025 15:07

macaroniandcheeze · 28/02/2025 13:11

Gyms have been male dominated places for a long time, full of gym bros flexing in shorts and vests or topless (good for them!) It makes a lot of women uncomfortable and avoid weight sections (mustn’t get “bulky”, girls! 🙄) , neglecting our bone density and muscle mass as we age.

It’s so good to see women in the gyms, training hard, getting stronger and taking up space. Why can they not also wear tiny shorts and vests?! Gym gear is small and tight with good reason.

I cannot believe in this day and age people are still bitching and moaning that clothes are “sexualised”. The clothes are not sexualised, you’re sexualising them!

So much focus on what women look like, rather than their achievements. What year is this again?!

Hard agree with all of this. I've read this thread open-mouthed. Well, not really, because it's MN and MN these days does the work of the patriarchy for them.

There is no such thing as 'sexualised' gym wear. There are just clothes. Some are tight and show more flesh than others. If the Mary Whitehouse types on this thread are then sexualising a person because of their clothes, it is them with the problem.

ShinyClouds · 28/02/2025 15:02

FrangipaniBlue · 28/02/2025 13:51

So why don't men wear tight shirts or crop tops?

Most men in my gym wear either skin tight form fitting t-shirts or muscle vests.

Haven't seen many wearing loose fitting tops to be honest.........

Yep. Mine too

MidnightMeltdown · 28/02/2025 14:05

It's been a while since I visited a gym, but I think they tend to attract the vain types of both genders.

At least it makes an otherwise extremely boring place a bit more entertaining...

FrangipaniBlue · 28/02/2025 13:51

So why don't men wear tight shirts or crop tops?

Most men in my gym wear either skin tight form fitting t-shirts or muscle vests.

Haven't seen many wearing loose fitting tops to be honest.........

CatamaranViper · 28/02/2025 13:27

MugPlate · 28/02/2025 11:09

Try searching tiktok or instagram?

I am not making a judgment on this outfit, but you can see it is markedly different to your picture.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DF2ql1Gslgb/?igsh=MTludmUyZmszNDB0eg==

This outfit will get more likes and replies than the one you posted, which turns into a revenue stream. It’s the same story as always. Men pay, and women change behaviour accordingly.

Or I could just look at what people in the real life gym wear? Majority of the time it's like the images I posted. Yes some women wear shorts, and usually those women are stacked! I presume they know their bodies better than you or I so know that's best for them to wear

Sinkintotheswamp · 28/02/2025 13:18

FWIW I do actually judge the no neck male weightlifters at our gym. Daft heart attacks in waiting.

cat those women are dressed perfectly well. Robust leggings and proper crop tops. I do wince at women on the treadmill without a proper sports bra, I want to dash to primark and buy them something more sturdy.

NeverHadHaveHas · 28/02/2025 13:17

macaroniandcheeze · 28/02/2025 13:11

Gyms have been male dominated places for a long time, full of gym bros flexing in shorts and vests or topless (good for them!) It makes a lot of women uncomfortable and avoid weight sections (mustn’t get “bulky”, girls! 🙄) , neglecting our bone density and muscle mass as we age.

It’s so good to see women in the gyms, training hard, getting stronger and taking up space. Why can they not also wear tiny shorts and vests?! Gym gear is small and tight with good reason.

I cannot believe in this day and age people are still bitching and moaning that clothes are “sexualised”. The clothes are not sexualised, you’re sexualising them!

So much focus on what women look like, rather than their achievements. What year is this again?!

👏 👏 👏
Louder for the pearl clutches in the back!!!!

macaroniandcheeze · 28/02/2025 13:11

Gyms have been male dominated places for a long time, full of gym bros flexing in shorts and vests or topless (good for them!) It makes a lot of women uncomfortable and avoid weight sections (mustn’t get “bulky”, girls! 🙄) , neglecting our bone density and muscle mass as we age.

It’s so good to see women in the gyms, training hard, getting stronger and taking up space. Why can they not also wear tiny shorts and vests?! Gym gear is small and tight with good reason.

I cannot believe in this day and age people are still bitching and moaning that clothes are “sexualised”. The clothes are not sexualised, you’re sexualising them!

So much focus on what women look like, rather than their achievements. What year is this again?!

BitOutOfPractice · 28/02/2025 12:54

CatamaranViper · 28/02/2025 08:55

I go to the gym 4 times a week (different gyms within the chain) and I've never seen (or noticed) someone dressed in a way that has been shocking.

I personally wear gym leggings, a sports bra and a gym t-shirt. I once wore my slightly loose joggers and the material kept getting in the way. Gym leggings are lycra so they don't trap the heat in the same way as well.

I don't give a flying fuck if the sight of me in my lycra leggings upsets someone.

Genuinely, if you can't cope with gym outfits, don't go to the gym. I can't think of any other example of places where people feel so entitled to critique thoroughly appropriate clothing because they don't like the shape of the person underneath.

Im prepared to bet a reasonably large sum that most people criticising these people’s gym attire haven’t set foot in one this side of never.

I wear the same as you. I find the idea of other people judging me far more revolting than what everyone else is wearing.

jellyfishperiwinkle · 28/02/2025 12:47

IThoughtHeWasWithYou · 27/02/2025 18:08

Love Ben Carpenter. He’s so straight up with stuff. We need more people like him.

Completely agree with him.

At my university gym 30 years ago there was one guy who was a total creep who would stare at my crotch the whole time I was on the hip adductor/abductor machine - wouldn't have mattered what I wore, he was a creep.

Wonderberry · 28/02/2025 12:45

I don't notice or care much what others wear in the gym.

Most leggings are tight, surely that the point? Otherwise they are jogging bottoms.

It makes sense to not wear lots if you are working out.

I usually wear leggings, and a sports top. You can see my shoulders in it. During classes I might just wear leggings and a sports bra top. Seeing a bit of midriff is not scandalous

jellyfishperiwinkle · 28/02/2025 12:40

CatamaranViper · 28/02/2025 08:59

Actually, can someone please share an image of what they consider to be inappropriate?

Attached is one of the first photos that appear on Google images if I search for women's gym clothes. Are you saying that gym clothes aren't appropriate for....the gym?

That's what most of the young women wear at the one I go to or some have a vest or t-shirt as I do. Nothing wrong with that at all.

NeverHadHaveHas · 28/02/2025 12:38

MN is hilarious because if there is ever a woman saying on a thread that she feels insecure wearing a bikini on holiday there will be an army of people telling her to wear what she likes/no one gives a shit what she’s wearing at the pool etc. But sadly, judging by this thread there are a lot of women wandering around judging womens’ attire with a cats bum mouth 🙄🙄