Women are speaking out about the pervasive issue of harassment in gyms, from unwanted staring to stalking, which is deterring them from exercising. Ellen, a 19-year-old student from Newcastle, says a man she calls The Screamer imitates her and laughs while she works out, leading her to wear baggier clothes and consider quitting the gym.
Rosie, a 38-year-old HR worker from London, was stalked by a gym employee who stole her number from the database and sent explicit images. When she rejected him, he became abusive and threatened to contact her boyfriend. The situation escalated when he followed her into a sauna, prompting her to flee and cancel her membership without reporting the incident.
Jada, a 33-year-old HR director, was filmed by three men at her gym who later blocked her in a unisex changing room. She struggled to remember the exit code to leave the building, shaking with fear. Many women avoid reporting harassment, fearing management will not take them seriously or that the harasser will become aggressive.
Dr Bianca Fileborn of the University of Melbourne notes that harassment includes staring, sexual comments, unwanted conversation, and touching. Women often modify their behaviour, avoiding certain areas or times, which can hinder regular exercise. Kate Dale of Sport England's This Girl Can campaign emphasises that enjoyment is key to sustaining physical activity, and harassment undermines that.
Gymbox recently faced backlash after an employee dismissed a harassment complaint, saying testosterone levels can cause extreme reactions. The chain has since acknowledged the response was inappropriate. Experts recommend a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, explicitly stated in membership contracts, to create safer environments for women.
