With impossibly tall stair stepper machines, heavy kettlebells that resemble boulders, the ever-present sound of treadmills humming and weights clinking, stepping into the gym can be an anxiety-inducing experience for even the most athletic women.
While gyms are intended to be an inclusive space for everyone, studies have shown that women often experience gym culture differently due to societal expectations, gender norms and intimidation in historically male-dominated spaces. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as “gym-timidation,” or feelings of anxiety and overwhelm that occur while working out in the presence of others.
These feelings of intimidation can be especially pronounced for those who are new to the gym or adjusting to a new fitness routine. Both second-year Engineering student Maddie Azrak and second-year College student Raleigh Moore first started going to the gym regularly in college when they did not have structured sports practices built into their schedules, as they did when they were high school athletes. Now, she has gone to the gym every day since arriving on Grounds for the 2023 move-in.
“I did gymnastics for about 15 years, and I came to college and did not do gymnastics anymore, but I still wanted to move my body in positive ways,” Moore said.
Not only are there a whole host of reasons why people go to the gym, but there is also a wide variety of workouts that can be seen at the gym. Azrak notes how social norms and dated fitness expectations often encourage women to gravitate towards cardio-based exercises.
“It’s more expected that girls are able to run and climb the staircase than lift heavy weights. I don't know if it’s anything that U.Va. has to do with, but it definitely is reflected in our gym culture here,” Azrak said.
However, within the past year and a half, Moore, a daily gym-goer and an executive member of the University’s Barbell club, has noticed a shift in women’s gym culture, with more women gravitating towards the weight section as opposed to the cardio machines. The rise of female fitness influencers on social media has played a significant role in this shift, both normalizing strength training and offering accessible ways for beginners to get informed and involved.
“I think there's a bigger emphasis — or just a greater acceptance — of women feeling empowered to take up space in the weight room,” Moore said. “It makes me really excited to see how many people are working out with other people from all different fitness levels. Everyone seems to be encouraging — the environment is very supportive.”
Although there has been a shift towards women in the weight room as of late, the reality remains that many women still feel a great sense of “gym-timidation.” The weight room, which is often perceived as a male-dominated space, can feel intimidating to those who are new to lifting or unsure how to use the equipment. Even Azrak, who ran a marathon this past fall, admits to feeling uneasy about some of the gym’s heavier equipment.
“Personally, I'm a little afraid of using the bigger machines and being surrounded by all the heavyweights,” Azrak said.
Building on this, second-year College student Meredith Clay mentioned how the fear of looking “too masculine” prevents many women from beginning their strength training journeys.
“I think that there's a big stigma around [women] that lift because they don't want to look more masculine,” Clay said. “Which I think is also an issue in itself because why is being strong [equated to] being masculine?”
Moore, who has always felt comfortable in the gym, acknowledges that many women do not share this same perspective. She encourages women at the gym to push past their initial feelings of “gym-timidation” and to remember that others are too focused on their own workouts to judge.
“I think there's a common fear that you'll be judged if you do something wrong, but I'm here to tell you that most people are listening to their music and not watching you,” Moore said.
While the gym is becoming a more welcoming space for women, it can still be intimidating to start. Both Azrak and Moore agree that having a workout buddy can make the gym seem much less intimidating. Exercising with a friend provides a sense of motivation, accountability, and reassurance, making it much easier to push past your initial “gym-timidation.”
“It’s scary, and it’s scarier to go alone,” Moore said. "I think it's easier to do anything new with someone else. There's maybe less pressure on what you're doing individually, maybe a lesser fear of being judged or being embarrassed. It's hard to be embarrassed when you're with your best friend."
If students are looking for multiple workout buddies, Moore encourages them to explore the group fitness classes that the University offers. She explains how this could be a great way to acclimate to gym culture without jumping in head-first.
“The group fitness classes at U.Va. are mostly women, and I feel like they open up a door for girls that are wanting to get into new forms of exercise or wanting to try to get into the gym,” Moore said. “In a fitness class, everyone there signed up for the same thing. You'll learn some new skills, and then you can apply them while you're getting comfortable with the gym environment.”
Ultimately, finding a way for women to overcome “gym-timidation” and to enjoy their workouts stems from creating a supportive and approachable fitness environment. However, progress is not about perfection — sometimes, it is just about showing up.
“Especially at U.Va, finding time and finding motivation, especially on top of the workload, can definitely cause a mental block,” Clay said. “I don't have to give my 110 percent to progress. Even just getting to the gym can be an accomplishment, which makes me feel a lot better and motivated to keep going.”
Echoing this sentiment, Moore emphasizes the importance of consistency and prioritizing yourself.
“The gym is something that is a priority for me, and it's putting me first, and I don't do that a lot in other areas of my life,” Moore said. “But showing up for myself and going to the gym every day, even if it's not perfect, even if I don't have a lot of energy, even if I end the workout short, it's important to exercise that discipline of just going, showing up and prioritizing yourself.”
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