A fear of harassment and unwanted attention keeps many women away from co-ed gyms. Now, a new strategy called the “safer gym group” is set to be tested in England to address the problem.
The “safer gym group” is an initiative from the Nottinghamshire Police that will commit members to a zero tolerance to harassment policy. Gyms will be able to sign up to the group to show customers they are taking action to create a safe environment.
Improving the safety of women in gyms became a focus for the police force after they conducted a recent survey as part of a police and local authority initiative.
Their research found 25 per cent of the 400 women surveyed had experienced an “uncomfortable interaction” at the gym such as staring or inappropriate comments. Other problems noted included receiving unsolicited help with equipment, being watched and women having their pictures taken without consent.
Of these women, nearly a third said this interaction made them leave, with some never returning to the gym. Responses also showed that 75 per cent of incidents were never reported.
The police’s resulting “safer gym group” will introduce additional training for gym staff and encourage people to report incidents.
Eleanor Smalley, a former PCSO leading the initiative, said she became aware there was more that could be done to protect women after experiencing a first-hand incident of harassment in her own gym.
“I had an experience at the gym, and it opened my eyes,” said Smalley. “I know I am not the only person who feels this way and I could see it happening to other women.”
“Gyms are not just a health benefit; they are a place for mental well-being and socialising and people are missing out if gyms do not address these concerns.”
While many incidents of gym harassment are going unreported, some women have taken to social media to highlight the issue.
The latest trend on TikTok has been the use of hashtags #GymCreep and #GymWeirdo to show videos of male gym-goers staring at or approaching women who don’t want the attention.
While some people on social media have suggested men are being unfairly targeted by these videos, many of the comments reveal that a lot of people can relate to the uncomfortable situations.
Speaking to the BBC, one woman gym-goer, Rebecca, says that the gym harassment she’s experienced from men has forced her to be constantly on her guard while trying to get a workout in.
“I’m probably very cold to people who come up to me, even if they’re just being nice,” she said. “You’re paranoid and just on it the whole time.”
“I’m here for my mental wellbeing, my physical well being. I’m not here to be stared at or to be looked at in any way.”
Rebecca and another woman, Meg, make the point to the BBC that the problem is not innocent looks and exchanges but when the line is crossed into situations that make women feel uncomfortable.
Due to the uncomfortable situations women experience at gyms, Smalley said some respondents in the Nottinghamshire survey noted they were setting up home gyms to avoid harassment.
There are also female-only gyms that some women choose to attend for this reason.
“Some people are staying away from gyms and this needs to change,” said Smalley, who’s hoping that the “safer gym group” will put an end to harassment and encourage women to report incidents.
With the new initiative, she said, “We want to stamp out this [harassing] behaviour, so it does not escalate, and we want everyone to feel empowered to challenge this behaviour.”