I could probably write a book on this topic alone, but will spare your eyes and write an article instead. My desire to write this stems from the lack of female opinions on the web currently and I thought my two cents may do the fitness world a little good. Having an interest in fitness and exercise as a woman comes with some cost that is difficult to go unnoticed, but perhaps will be left unnoticed for the other half of the human population. My goal is to address these concerns here.

The fitness (and gym) world is largely male dominated and this can be seen upon entering a sweaty gym full of grunting, weight clattering, red faced, testosterone filled masculism. As a lanky freshman girl entering the university gym for the first time I felt incredibly awkward, and I'm sure my body language screamed it as well. My shoulders raised to my ears, with my eyes glued to the floor I tried to make my way to the elliptical, which was the only piece of equipment I had an ounce of knowledge of at the time. That account alone had me exercising in my dorm room for the next year until my friends dragged me with them. These days I go to the gym for a workout on my own, but not without some uneasiness.

Walking into the fitness room is the scariest part. As soon as that door slams behind you it feels as though all eyes are on you (even if they're not). For the duration of my stay I feel as though my every move is being watched, and when I look up to verify it, I'm almost always correct. Now this isn't just me saying, "Oh I'm so perfect everyone is looking at me," this is the way most girls feel, ask any female if you have your doubts. When asking a close friend if she was uncomfortable going to the gym she responded, "Nothing is more awkward than when a random guy stares at you while you're using the squat rack. It's even more awkward when they linger around you, or use a machine directly behind you without saying a word. At least give me a high five or something." Now this is only part of the problem. The other part of the problem is when guys feel comfortable enough to let you know they're watching you. As I leave my noisy treadmill, sweaty as can be, and make my way to the mats to stretch, I come across some obstacles. First is the guy who is doing pushups but still manages to stare directly at my legs. Next is the guy who give me an obnoxiously obvious once over before sending a creepy smile my way. And there is always the guy who stares directly at my chest, with a quizzical look on his face as if to wonder, "Female? Hmm.. what an odd thing to find at the gym".

My least favorite part is arm day, when I have to stand between two giant men while attempting a pathetic shoulder press. I am an extremely lanky individual as I have described earlier, and my arms are no exception to this. I'm not very strong, but I do my best and it is clear when others are looking on in amusement. The looks vary from curiosity to "are you sure you can lift those 20 pound weights on your own?" in which I always continue on with my imaginary blinders blocking their stares.

Sure I could regress back to my younger self and exercise in my room instead of sucking it up and exercising with my opposite sex counterpart, but I don't want to give them the satisfaction of being so uncomfortable that I could no longer work out at the gym. Yes I'm a girl, and yes I like to exercise. No, I don't need your help lifting my weights, I am perfectly sufficient on my own. No, your stares and questionable smiles will not make me forfeit my number. And yes, just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I belong elsewhere.

So for any woman who is uncomfortable with exercising at the gym for fear of being judged, push forward as if the gym world was already female dominated. Show everyone that perverted looks and Cheshire smiles won't stop you from getting in a good work out. Do those push-ups and those squats without a worry of judgment clouding anyone's vision of you. Together we can take a stand and make gyms all across the world a friendly and welcoming environment not just for females but anyone interested in fitness.