To find the gym attire of some women completely inappropriate?

[Apolo90]

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.

I’m older and thankful that there is such a range of comfortable gym gear in practical fabrics available now. I wear leggings to just below the knee, a strong sports bra to keep the bouncers strapped down and a close fitting sleeveless top. I remember the aerobics classes of the 80s/90s with everyone in leotards or unitards, with less efficient low Lycra content fabrics. So much better and 100% less sweaty now.

I’d be interested to know what the ‘ it’s inappropriate ‘ posters would consider to be acceptable clothing in the gym ?

Yes, people can wear what they like, no, you shouldn't be looking, yes, it's maybe because they genuinely find it more comfortable than other gym wear....but <dons helmet> sometimes there is something a bit performative in what people (not just women) wear to the gym. You know the ones who just stand around making sure everyone can have a good look at them. It's probably more men than women if anything and it is a bit narcissistic and a little bit distracting. Not because they're smoking hot but because they're really annoying <runs away>

Editing for typo <runs away again>

Ah another day, another thread judging women for their clothing choices. Does anyone hate women more than women nowadays? Patriarchy don’t even need to patriarch anymore.

It’s nothing new, is it? I remember being appalled hearing how an older relative had to wear gym knickers for PE in the 70s. The 80s was the decade for Lycra and high legs.
It’s not what I would be comfortable wearing but I couldn’t care less what other people choose to wear. Whether it’s to see their form better or just to admire their figure in the mirror, their body, their choice.

It makes me really annoyed that those women who chose to dress in highly sexualised revealing clothing criticise everyone who feels uncomfortable by their inappropriateness for judging them.

Of course we judge people by what they wear: that's a fact of life.

Actually I honestly think that a woman who needs to dress in an extremely revealing way has issues with her own self worth.

I'm totally unapologetic for my view point.

I haven’t been to the gym in ages (trying to work up the courage to go back) but when I last went I was in joggers and baggy T-shirt. Honestly it would have been far more comfortable to be in tight lyrcra as it’s supportive and doesn’t get in the way. I don’t get how lyrcra sports gym clothing can be inappropriate.

False equivalence.

A teacher in a classroom is an adult professional in charge of a group of children. The focus is on education. A gym member is an adult with a group of other adults. They are focused on exercising. I'm surprised you need to have the difference between a gym and a classroom explained. Surely you've been in at least one of them and are aware of the other?

I teach my son not to stare at women at the gym and that they are free to wear whatever they are comfortable in me it’s none of his business. He goes to the gym to train and keep fit, not to worry about what other people are wearing.

I would hope other parents would teach their sons the same thing and not try to body shame women and girls for what they wear, like you do.

Apart from those leggings which go up the bum I don’t see that it’s my business really. People wear what they are comfortable in.

I know a lot of teens who use the gym and some of these gym outfits aren't a million miles away from forcing people to participate in their own sexual behaviour. Because thats what wearing these outfits are. Can't the kids just look away? Are they not being rude and weird and creepy for noticing and having a response?

I work with a lot of 16 year olds who use the gym

You’re not working out very hard if you have time to stare at another woman’s ass 😂

Get on with your workout and tuck your pearls into your turtle neck so they’re close by and handy to clutch.

This is what i look at at the gym

Treadmill- youtube on my phone
Stationary bike- Michael Moseley's 'Just one thing' book.

Granted I am 12 stone, a gym newbie, in baggy clothes and occasionally segue out of my own little bubble to examine other people's tattoos.

Truth is, occasionally i wonder if the tight little bits of gym gstrings are uncomfortable but that's about as far as i get.

Our community swimming pool however- I don't think string bikinis belong there.

^ say it louder for the people in the back!

I would say that in this day and age women should be allowed to wear what they feel comfortable in without being judged for it so yes op I do think this is on you. The issue being that where you draw the line at inappropriate is different to where others draw the line and thus this type of discussion inevitably supports the argument that it's acceptable to police the way women dress. As others have pointed out- why is it only women mentioned in your post when men will also sometimes wear very little or very fitted clothing in the gym?

I agree that the gym is the most appropriate place for athletic wear and people will dress in what they feel most comfortable in to be active and strenuous. Post c section my tighter leggings are the most comfortable for me to exercise in as it supports my lower stomach better. If someone knows they're going to do a strenuous workout why should they have to wear more clothes than they're comfortable in (and going to get hot and sweaty in) just to appease others. Plus the issue of loose clothing being caught on equipment or feeling like it's getting in the way or causing friction.

"For those of you saying you shouldn't be looking at them, where is the person meant to look?"

I can honestly say that when I'm at the gym I'm paying zero attention to what others are doing, I look at the walls/ the floor/ the ceiling and go off into my own head and daydream listening to my headphones. I would recommend focusing on yourself and what you are doing. The idea of people watching me at the gym would make me uncomfortable in my loose oversize t-shirt and leggings. If you're staring then that's on you.

What a ridiculous statement.

I really believe that there is a lot of "showing off" in gyms and a strict dress code amongst the super fit. So, if you are ripped, slim and young you better not wear anything that doesn't signal that you are one of the gym elite.

As for me, I avoid gyms like the plague, to me they are places of worship - of the body and the "proper" attire only.

I have a gym at home though. It consists of two cans of beans to lift for the bingo wings, and a skipping rope. Obviously my attire is irrelevant.

1. We want a world where women can wear what we want, don't we?
2. A gym, where you're going to be getting hot and sweaty, is exactly the right place for such attire.
3. If a woman is disciplined enough to earn a hot bod, why shouldn't she enjoy dressing it as she wants?
4. When did women need to pass a taste test? What would you think if she made the inverse judgement on you?
5. Would you be OK with someone posting that they'd like to exercise without being exposed to frumpy women? What would be your response? Fine to judge hotties though, right?

Oh don't be daft. People at the gym are working out, often quite hard. They're not indulging in a parody display of the opposite sex, using grossly enlarged prosthetic fake unrealistic mockeries of body parts.

Tight gym wear isn’t sexual though - it’s form fitting because a lot of people prefer to exercise without loose clothes flapping around. In sports such as weightlifting it’s actually compulsory to wear skin tight clothing.

I wear leggings and a sports bra most days in the gym and never once have I chosen gym clothes with the thought that I wanted to look sexual.

It seems like the people who are offended by the perceived sexuality are preoccupied with sexuality themselves.

The people who are saying ‘I don’t like where to look’, I would put money on the fact that the people who are wearing leggings and a bra don’t give a shit what you think or where you look.

Not really.

Surely leggings are by definition tight? I wouldn’t wear baggy leggings! 🤷‍♀️

Having sex in the jacuzzi isn’t in any way comparable to wearing a skimpy swimsuit. 🤦‍♀️ Don’t a lot of you understand the term false equivalence?

I hesitate to say it but it sounds like there’s quite a bit of jealousy involved on this thread.

Anyone go to a women only gym? Are the clothes the same level?

Nah, the stuff that’s being worn in my gym is not professional sportswear style Lycra, it’s very definitely meant to be sexual……hot pant shorts with weird panelling bits to highlight your bum cheeks, scrunch bum shorts and leggings, crop tops that aren’t sports bras because they aren’t big enough to have any support in them! You don’t wear these unless you want to draw attention to your arse, and quite frankly it’s not just their arse you can often see through them! https://us.aybl.com/en-gb/products/adapt-seamless-shorts-iris-blue