4 Reasons Why Lifting In Gyms Is A Bad Idea

[Yeagerist]

I’m probably in the minority of women who don’t want lustful male attention when I am at the gym. I don’t dress like a skank/hoe or engage with anyone much but I find regardless of me dressing modestly men will stare, make crude remarks, follow me around the gym. It almost seems like the more you cover up the more it intrigues them. What is the deal with that? If I l had the money and space I would definitely build a home gym.

Simps and creeps will always exist, as do shameless women seeking to gain validation from them. It's a mutual feedback loop. The proper approach is to call out both sides.

This makes me think that segregated gyms will also benefit women who legitimately seek to train for strength and avoid unwanted approaches, and weed out the immodest harlots who merely go to tempt or fish out for men looking for hook-ups. Same goes on the male side of the equation, restricting the motives to only working out and socializing with fellow men, and stop fuccbois from treating the gym as a daytime nightclub.

There really are zero reasons for women to workout at a gym. The kind of exercise a woman needs to stay fit and healthy can easily be done with a 20lb kettlebell in her living room.

I disagree as a guy (ironically speaking); while there exist immutable differences between men and women biologically, psychologically and socially, there's nothing that would physically prevent a woman (ceteris paribus) from performing a bench press or squat or pull up, since their bodies are made of the same muscle groups and pairs that function the same manner as men's. Your biceps for example contract to bend your arms, and the triceps do the opposite of extending them, just as they would for a male.

 

[get2choppaaa]

Simps and creeps will always exist, as do shameless women seeking to gain validation from them. It's a mutual feedback loop. The proper approach is to call out both sides.

This makes me think that segregated gyms will also benefit women who legitimately seek to train for strength and avoid unwanted approaches, and weed out the immodest harlots who merely go to tempt or fish out for men looking for hook-ups. Same goes on the male side of the equation, restricting the motives to only working out and socializing with fellow men, and stop fuccbois from treating the gym as a daytime nightclub.


I disagree as a guy (ironically speaking); while there exist immutable differences between men and women biologically, psychologically and socially, there's nothing that would physically prevent a woman (ceteris paribus) from performing a bench press or squat or pull up, since their bodies are made of the same muscle groups and pairs that function the same manner as men's. Your biceps for example contract to bend your arms, and the triceps do the opposite of extending them, just as they would for a male.

I think women should use the same exercises men use. For muscle strength and bone density reasons. The whole "just use a 20 pood kettlebell and work out in your bathroom" thing is just silly, but people are typically set in what they want to believe.

You're right, there is no reason women should not bench/squat/deadlift/pullups/ect.... unless you're feeding her steroids and shes a genetic freak, there's no way its going to have the result some people would like to promote about women and hypertrophy.

Weightlifting is good for women. Prior to meeting me, my wife has always been near 105 lbs her adult life, with lifting weights and a diet change we got her up to 115 with my coaching and about 8 months of hard work. She felt better about herself, could do her work better (at the time she was a paramedic and had to pick up fatties and put 'em in the ambulance) and it was a good thing for us to do together early in the relationship. Early on in dating we went to a few gym sessions together pre-pandemic but even though she's dressed modestly, you get the idea someone is checking out your gal. I bought a full garage set up over a couple months before the scamdemic.

People will place themselves into whatever camps they want to... just like I wouldnt let my wife wear a bikini on the beach nor answer the door in her night gown... people may not be comfortable with women lifting weights...I get that... but for a lot of women its both a health benefit physically and psychologically.

A home gym is the way to go if you have goals for your physical well being, as calisthenics only go so far.... and frankly while good for maintenance, are poor for training and tracking performance.

In general I would recommend against a public gym for reason's I've already stated... but if you're taking you're old lady... you're gonna be on edge and its gonna distract you from the reason you're supposed to be there: physical improvement and goal accomplishment.

 

[Nordwand]

Yes, it is clearly illogical. As you approach nudity more and more, you still argue that the more revealing subject isn't "responsible" to create a healthy environment for her or others? Give me a break.

I've also noticed that in modern workplaces women get away with far more regarding what is casual to wear that men do not. At least that is my experience. For example, men are expected to wear at least slacks and button down shirts, if not ties. Some women will wear skirts or other clothes that are work professional presentable, but more frequently I'd see just as casual of attire or more casual that is akin to jeans or just cotton pants and a polo or other t shirt that a man might wear and hear about "being too casual". This is yet another double standard that gets more and more obvious in terms of a resentment spirit in the workplace. Leggings or workout pants are the culmination of this, and they'll be defended. Over the course of my medical training (let's say the last 20 years) it has gotten more and more embarrassing, on average.

Welcome to my workplace. Men are expected to adhere to standards, but women get away with pretty well anything. My default, regardless of expectations, looks like a Gant ad from the 1970's, along with good quality English boots or shoes. In inclement weather, I change the footwear for walking boots. Meanwhile, the women, for the most part, wear the female equivalent of what I used to wear to the gym, on a cold day, when I was a young man - leggings, t-shirt and sweatshirt, along with training shoes of some sort. Unbelievably, at a recent departmental meeting, someone asked if we could have a dress down Friday. To what - shorts, t shirt and flip flops?

 

[Nordwand]

You’re walking into a den of vipers and wondering why you keep getting bit.

If men can work out at home or using body weight calisthenics, then you can too. My wife works out at home with me. All she needs is a yoga mat, some type of cardio equipment, and some minimum weights. If you are single, then ask your dad to build you a place to workout. If you are married, ask your husband.

Den of vipers? Reminds me of Montalbano:

 

[messaggera]

Yes, it is clearly illogical. As you approach nudity more and more, you still argue that the more revealing subject isn't "responsible" to create a healthy environment for her or others? Give me a break.

Agree. It is about trust and accountability. Do individuals place a higher level of trust in others enough to lower levels of individual accountability?

There is no practiced concept of individual accountability in modern society.

but shouldn’t it be obvious to these men that if a woman is dressed modestly and doesn’t engage much that she is not interested in socializing or flirting.

I understand your view and agree, but we do not live in an utopia.
We live in a world that treats human beings as commodities/objects of entertainment.

Christians should be more openly honest about this truth, and rebuke the manifestation “it does not matter what I wear (nor where I go)– no one has the right.”

But it does matter.
This world is evil and disrespectful to the sanctity of human life; and it is in our best interest to take heed – through individual accountability the best we can.

I guess one way to look at this is in a simpler context of trust and accountability.
What is the first sentence a child learns about crossing the street? “Look both ways!”

What if an individual is at a busy crosswalk; and the crosswalk has a pedestrian sign signaling when to cross the street, does the individual still look both ways even though the sign signals to walk across the street? What causes an individual to look both ways?

If the individual does not look both ways, does not see the neglectful driver, is hit, and dies who are accountable? Individual accountability is always “looking both ways.”

You’re walking into a den of vipers and wondering why you keep getting bit.

 

[CSH2C]

There are homosexuals who roam the floor, especially the locker room. That's enough to stay away

 

[Starlight]

I disagree as a guy (ironically speaking); while there exist immutable differences between men and women biologically, psychologically and socially, there's nothing that would physically prevent a woman (ceteris paribus) from performing a bench press or squat or pull up, since their bodies are made of the same muscle groups and pairs that function the same manner as men's. Your biceps for example contract to bend your arms, and the triceps do the opposite of extending them, just as they would for a male.

I think women should use the same exercises men use. For muscle strength and bone density reasons. The whole "just use a 20 pood kettlebell and work out in your bathroom" thing is just silly, but people are typically set in what they want to believe.

You're right, there is no reason women should not bench/squat/deadlift/pullups/ect.... unless you're feeding her steroids and shes a genetic freak, there's no way its going to have the result some people would like to promote about women and hypertrophy.

Weightlifting is good for women.

I never insinuated that women shouldn’t weightlift… kettlebell was my example because that is what I use since it’s the only one of my husband’s weights that I can actually lift… I was just trying to be helpful to another woman on the forum, who said she felt uncomfortable at the gym, by showing that a woman can workout at home just fine like I do.

The point is that majority of women do not need the specialized weightlifting or exercise equipment found at a gym for health and/or fitness. Period. I’d argue that the majority of men don’t either.

 

[Hannibal]

Is there an advantage for most men of going to the gym versus working out via bodyweight exercises? (Serious question)

It is basically impossible to have any decent level of leg strength with bodyweight exercises and believe you me, I tried.

I spent eight months trying to make weighted one legged squats work, when I went back to my regular leg routine my legs were basically 30% weaker. Perhaps I do not have the right structure for them but they were worse than useless.

It is also impossible to develop the errectors with bodywright exercise, which makes sense because those muscles in particular are only used when you pick things up off the floor.

As far as upper body strength, yes you can certainly develop it with bodyweight exercise. You can also dig a ditch with a spoon and travel a thousand miles on a bicycle.

 

[SaintPiusX]

I wanted to clarify that despite my position on commercial gyms, I love working out and encourage every man to do it. I transformed my basement into a beautiful home gym. I spent countless hours building it and spent over 10k on it. Anytime I have free time, I get in a workout.

From my perspective, there’s nothing wrong about working out. I even spoke to my priest about it, and he told me that I could even workout on Sundays because it’s something I enjoyed and is not considered manual labour.

If you saw me in person, you wouldn’t even think I spent much time working out. I look like your average in shape white man. I don’t do it to look good in the club. I don’t do it to pick up women.

There’s also nothing that says you can’t make your gym Christian. You are free to take something that has been secularized and dedicate it to God.

 

[Durden347]

I just resort to doing basic calisthenics in my room. I found that I made more progress doing that than going to the gym. The only thing I spent my money on is on a 10 dollar pull up bar I got on a garage sale. The beauty of doing this is being able to listen to my own music and not having to worry about any distractions.

 

[Leonard]

Okay, but don't bake too much pizza. It's the food equivalent of pop music.

 

[Something Clever]

I haven’t had a gym membership in years. There is a small gym at my apartment complex, though, which I use often. I remember the days when I was in my twenties, going to the gym, picking up a few females from there. Like you, that was my primary intention; fitness was a bonus.

Now, I use the gym at my apartment to stay fit in mind and body. I am in the military, so fitness is a requirement, but if you go to any military base gym, you will see the same things as if it were a civilian gym; perhaps even more severe in some cases, since some people think their service is exceptional.

The main temptation I struggle with now is listening to secular music on Pandora while I exercise. It is the only time I ever listen to it anymore, and I deleted all of my music library as well as the Apple Music app on my phone, as a first step to eventually eliminating secular music entirely.

I don’t know when that will happen, it will be on God’s time. I didn’t know when I would delete my library, but one day, almost spontaneously, it made sense to do so, and I have not looked back since. Sometimes small steps are needed to be taken slowly, but if you reach the desired position, the time table will not matter as much.

 

[Uzisuicide]

Forget the gym, everywhere I go there are women in spandex with each cheak individually wrapped. There's even a girl or two at CHURCH with their business hanging out. There's no escaping it.

 

[pathos]

4 Reasons Why Going to the Beach Is A Bad Idea

1. The sand is filthy
2. The women are almost naked
3. There are too many prying eyes
4. Desire to get tanned for no practical reason

4 Reasons Why Going to the Swimming Pool Is A Bad Idea

1. The water is filthy and contains chlorine based on germ theory
2. The women are almost naked
3. There are lockers and shared showers
4. Desire to get athletic for no practical reason

And I could go on.

My point is that even though you should flee temptations or occasions for sin, this is all very personal and you should also develop some self-discipline and restraint as a grown-up man.

If the gym is an occasion for sin or brings back too many sinful memories, fine, then don't go. Nobody would argue otherwise. If not, however, I see absolutely no reason why you shouldn't go if that's your thing. If "secular" music is offensive to you, don't listen to it. But not all "secular" music is evil in and of itself simply because it's "secular". Just how far are we going to go down this purity spiral?

I get the impression that we're conflating "secular" and "secularism". They're not the same thing.

The world we live in is fallen, yes, but not so utterly depraved as to be deprived of any goodness and beauty that we can (maybe should) enjoy within reasonable bounds. We all have our obligations and duties in life that aren't explicitly "spiritual" or "Christian" but belong to the secular/temporal sphere. That's why we have personalities, temperaments, talents, an intellect to serve both God and our neighbor - spiritually, materially, politically, militarily if necessary. Even Christ said "render unto Caesar" and you know the rest.

I've witnessed first-hand how people can be so absorbed by the "spiritual life" that they neglect their "worldly" duties towards their co-workers, employer, family members, friends, etc. People who will attend Mass every day but neglect their other duties. It's self-absorption rather than holiness. Anything they do must be "spiritual" and anything else is unimportant if not downright evil. Likewise, they'll see marriage in purely "spiritual" terms, disregarding its societal and economic aspects.

We live in a world full of temptations where everyone has to exercise discernment. But temptation isn't entirely unavoidable, unless maybe you lock yourself up in your room and cut off Internet access altogether. Trouble is you may well end up alone and full of spiritual pride that is caused by anxiety about the big bad world out there rather than true repentance and trust in God.

 

[Earplugs]

I won't go back to a public gym ever in my lifetime after COVID.

I've gotten better gains at home this past year. I think it's the focus, I don't want others interrupting my flow.

I personally only use kettle bells, a fixed metal pull ups and dips in a power cage and the rest is body movements/flexibility.

 

[Nelson12]

I have dumbbells at home with different weights. When I finish my cardio I just return home to complete my weightlifting. I find it easier that way.

 

[Starlight]

And I could go on.

My point is that even though you should flee temptations or occasions for sin, this is all very personal and you should also develop some self-discipline and restraint as a grown-up man.

If the gym is an occasion for sin or brings back too many sinful memories, fine, then don't go. Nobody would argue otherwise. If not, however, I see absolutely no reason why you shouldn't go if that's your thing. If "secular" music is offensive to you, don't listen to it. But not all "secular" music is evil in and of itself simply because it's "secular". Just how far are we going to go down this purity spiral?

I get the impression that we're conflating "secular" and "secularism". They're not the same thing.

The world we live in is fallen, yes, but not so utterly depraved as to be deprived of any goodness and beauty that we can (maybe should) enjoy within reasonable bounds. We all have our obligations and duties in life that aren't explicitly "spiritual" or "Christian" but belong to the secular/temporal sphere. That's why we have personalities, temperaments, talents, an intellect to serve both God and our neighbor - spiritually, materially, politically, militarily if necessary. Even Christ said "render unto Caesar" and you know the rest.

I've witnessed first-hand how people can be so absorbed by the "spiritual life" that they neglect their "worldly" duties towards their co-workers, employer, family members, friends, etc. People who will attend Mass every day but neglect their other duties. It's self-absorption rather than holiness. Anything they do must be "spiritual" and anything else is unimportant if not downright evil. Likewise, they'll see marriage in purely "spiritual" terms, disregarding its societal and economic aspects.

We live in a world full of temptations where everyone has to exercise discernment. But temptation isn't entirely unavoidable, unless maybe you lock yourself up in your room and cut off Internet access altogether. Trouble is you may well end up alone and full of spiritual pride that is caused by anxiety about the big bad world out there rather than true repentance and trust in God.

We’re told: if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. Better to lose your hand than your soul.*

Why set ourselves up to fail? Temptation certainly is not completely avoidable but we know what will lead us (personally) into temptation. We should not rationalize the things we want to do (whether it’s going to the beach, swimming in a public pool, gym, etc) if it will lead us astray.

In my opinion, the main theme of Roosh’s article here is not really about “gyms” per se but about cutting off parts of a persons life that lead them to sin. And I think that takes a lot of faith, strength in our Lord, and courage to do.

Interestingly, the Gospel reading at church today was about Christ’s temptation in the desert: “Man shall not live by bread alone.” (Luke 4:1-13)

*Paraphrase of Matthew 5:30

 

[Don Quixote]

The worst part is the rap music, that is actually bad for people. It is toxic and meant for brainwashing.

 

[MartyMcFly]

The worst part is the rap music, that is actually bad for people. It is toxic and meant for brainwashing.

Depends. If it is Bryson Gray, that could wake people up although some of his songs will make some people feel uncomfortable. Will Smith made plenty of rap songs that were humorous and not offensive (ex. 'I think I can beat Mike Tyson). My guess is gyms play stuff that is a bit edgier than these songs though.

 

[SaintPiusX]

And I could go on.

My point is that even though you should flee temptations or occasions for sin, this is all very personal and you should also develop some self-discipline and restraint as a grown-up man.

If the gym is an occasion for sin or brings back too many sinful memories, fine, then don't go. Nobody would argue otherwise. If not, however, I see absolutely no reason why you shouldn't go if that's your thing. If "secular" music is offensive to you, don't listen to it. But not all "secular" music is evil in and of itself simply because it's "secular". Just how far are we going to go down this purity spiral?

I get the impression that we're conflating "secular" and "secularism". They're not the same thing.

The world we live in is fallen, yes, but not so utterly depraved as to be deprived of any goodness and beauty that we can (maybe should) enjoy within reasonable bounds. We all have our obligations and duties in life that aren't explicitly "spiritual" or "Christian" but belong to the secular/temporal sphere. That's why we have personalities, temperaments, talents, an intellect to serve both God and our neighbor - spiritually, materially, politically, militarily if necessary. Even Christ said "render unto Caesar" and you know the rest.

I've witnessed first-hand how people can be so absorbed by the "spiritual life" that they neglect their "worldly" duties towards their co-workers, employer, family members, friends, etc. People who will attend Mass every day but neglect their other duties. It's self-absorption rather than holiness. Anything they do must be "spiritual" and anything else is unimportant if not downright evil. Likewise, they'll see marriage in purely "spiritual" terms, disregarding its societal and economic aspects.

We live in a world full of temptations where everyone has to exercise discernment. But temptation isn't entirely unavoidable, unless maybe you lock yourself up in your room and cut off Internet access altogether. Trouble is you may well end up alone and full of spiritual pride that is caused by anxiety about the big bad world out there rather than true repentance and trust in God.

The last time I went to a public pool some pervert tried to grab my wife's backside. No thanks. Any public physical activity should be separated according to the sexes, especially with something like swimming, where people are almost wearing no clothes. This was common sense for centuries, until the demons of liberalism and feminism came along and destroyed it.

As for your second point, it's impossible to be so "absorbed" by the spiritual life that a person neglects their wordily duties. That's contrary to the teachings of the Orthodox Church that you are inquiring into. In a similar vein, your interpretation of "render unto Caesar" strikes me as a distinctively protestant interpretation.