The Optimist
  • Home
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Features
  • Print Edition
    • The Pessimist
    • Special Projects
  • Police Log
  • Classifieds
You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / “Gymtimidation” exists and the SWRC can combat it

“Gymtimidation” exists and the SWRC can combat it

February 3, 2016 by Haley Remenar

A freshman once saw a cute guy at the gym and tried to show off by turning up the speed on the treadmill. Unfortunately, her shoe got caught on the treadmill and she fell off the machine right as the guy passed by. Although embarrassed, she was able to push past the shame and still works out regularly, but she now keeps the treadmill on a lower speed.

This freshman is part of a Cornerstone class surveyed last week on the subject of “gymtimidation.” It’s a real problem and it’s something the SWRC can change by encouraging acceptance of all body types and teaching beginners how to use equipment.

Comedian Brian Regan described the issue of gymtimidation in one of his sketches.

“I joined the health club,” he said. “That’s intimidating. You always have some big giant guy showing you around. I think he was making up muscle names just to mess with me.”

It’s something everyone can laugh at with Brian Regan.

But when it’s your turn to feel the shame, the overwhelming self-consciousness as you compare your flabby arms to the toned biceps flashing around you, the fear of hearing your own heavy breathing as you crawl on the stair-stepper and the humiliation of showering in front of stick-thin models, it’s really no laughing matter.

Despite having a state-of-the-art, free recreation center at their fingertips, some ACU students still avoid the gym. While they may swipe in for a PE credit or intramural game, they rarely go to the SWRC for personal exercise. Other students make it to the gym, but avoid the down-stairs weight area.

In a survey of ten freshmen in one Cornerstone class, half the students said they feel intimidated when they see strong, experienced people working out. Although the surveyed students still go to the gym, 3 out of 10 avoid the weight area when they exercise.

The CDC recommends muscle-strengthening activities for all major muscle groups at least two days a week and a study by Purdue University shows that students who regularly go to the gym have higher grades and better time management skills.

But when students compare these benefits to the embarrassment of having to work out in front of more experienced people, many decide to just stay home.

Gymtimidation is partially based on a student’s determination and self-esteem, but the SWRC can still help students. The Curves for Women gym franchise promotes exercise for middle-aged women. They offer a gym atmosphere that is free of mirrors and intimidation. Planet Fitness, another gym franchise, posts signs that say “No critics” on their walls.

The SWRC could do something similar by promoting workout times for beginners or a “mirror-free” event that encourages self-confidence. Even though a few P.E. classes teach weight training skills to students, according to the survey, 3 out of 10 freshmen don’t know how to use the weight machines. The SWRC should offer basic instruction on gym procedures to freshman during Wildcat Week. There should also be an SWRC employee moving throughout the gym to keep equipment clean and answer questions.

ACU prides itself on being innovative, exceptional and real in everything the university does. If the SWRC is going to be exceptional, it needs to implement policies that will boost student’s self-confidence in the gym. It needs to encourage attitudes and habits that will combat gymtimidation and make it possible for freshman, like the one who tripped in front of the cute guy, to overcome embarrassment and continue staying healthy.

Filed Under: Columns, Editorials, Opinion

Other Opinion:

  • Tariffs are the last thing struggling students need

  • Gen Z won the election for Donald Trump

  • A Swift rebuke: When it comes to politics, celebrities just do not get it

About Haley Remenar

2017-2018 Editor in Chief

You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / “Gymtimidation” exists and the SWRC can combat it

Other Opinion:

  • Tariffs are the last thing struggling students need

  • Gen Z won the election for Donald Trump

  • A Swift rebuke: When it comes to politics, celebrities just do not get it

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
2 Dec

BREAKING: The internet is now up and running after a short campus-wide outage.

Reply on Twitter 1863647460322640102 Retweet on Twitter 1863647460322640102 Like on Twitter 1863647460322640102 1 Twitter 1863647460322640102
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
7 Nov

The Optimist and ACUTV partnered together to produce a 3-hour live election show on Tuesday night. A team of 25 students worked for weeks preparing while doing research and interviews with guests like Dr. Phil Schubert and Rep. Stan Lambert.

Reply on Twitter 1854352279605817812 Retweet on Twitter 1854352279605817812 2 Like on Twitter 1854352279605817812 9 Twitter 1854352279605817812

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

10 months ago

The Optimist

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

1 years ago

The Optimist
"Ending my college education early was always the plan for me, but the things that I have been able to see, experience and examine about ACU’s community were not. I have found immense growth in ACU over the past three and a half years, but ACU still has a long road to climb if it wants to keep catering to students as the world changes around them." To read more of this article visit acuoptimist ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

Latest Photos

1
2
3
4
5
PrevNext
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Policies
    • Advertising Policy
    • Letters to the Editor and Reader Comments
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Features
  • Advertise
    • Paid Advertisement
  • Police Log

© 2025 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved