Callie Sher
Fifteen, twenty, and thirty pound racks of dumbbells placed on one side, lockers and mirrors shaping the other, and the windows all work together to form a barrier and section off the weight training section. The weight-lifting area at Ernie Davis at Syracuse University is located directly in the center of the gym. It is possible that one could say the facility is actually cut into three distinct parts; one for free weights, another for cardio machines/mats, and the studio. However, this is meant to be only one space. The majority of men are found with the weights and the women on cardio machines or mats. This section is privately held in the back and excluded. The studio is usually used for classes or empty. At Ernie, college students are always free to utilize all the equipment openly. Women entering the facility do not usually expect to use the weight room or see other women present in it either. The designers of Ernie Davis gym may not have realized the invisible “caution tape” posted when constructing this place. The physical construct of the gym tends to facilitate to already existing gender differentiation. This creates an intimidation of men towards women utilizing this space, because they do not feel they are welcome there.
The weight racks, mirrors, lockers, and windows create such a separation between the weights and cardio machines, as well as men and women. The area creates an unwelcoming sense of influence. However, the gym as a whole is not so. The weight racks and immovable objects seem like they have been strategically placed to give the feel of an enclosed and unwanted women section. Dana Senderoff, a female employee at Ernie Davis workout facility, speaks about her experience at the gym. Senderoff exclaims, “I feel intimidated to lift weight in this gym. I usually take the weights and go into the studio…yet, when I see girls lifting weights in the weight lifting area, I’m like ‘Wow! Good for Her’”. The areas have now split, forcing women and other pushed out by the barriers. Clearly, Senderoff experienced this as she stays away and manages to do the workout meant for the weight lifting area, specifically, in the studio. This place is developing into three different sections instead of one combined gym for all to feel comfortable to use.
The men stationed within these boundaries are more commonly seen as trying to “bulk up” r gain muscle. That is not quite the same goal as women. On the contrary, their initiative is to slim down and lose weight. One would feel uncomfortable entering the opposite environment. If you stay on the outside of the weight shelves, where the cardio machines and mats lay, the women become more comfortable and less judged. Instead of worrying about being unaccepted by others, there is other equipment spaced across the gym with TV’s to focus one’s attention on his/her own workout with others aiming to do the same. Plainly, there is a relation between the barriers cutting these spaces into sections and the power gender.
Senderoff agrees that the weight room is cut off to make its own area without distractions. The framing objects act as a barrier, because they force people to pick their route to their section. A quick glance at the weight training area tells the person to get ready for strength and conditioning with intensity and intimidation of men. Looking in the other direction, there is an appeal to one’s looking for a cardio training workout, usually the women. If you ask Senderoff if she would like to work out and use the “men’s section”, she will freely exclaim, “I can’t take it. Men are a complete distraction in that section”. She evidently feels that these barriers keep gender differences separated, but is it for the good of both genders to keep away from being distracted? This way, they can work on their own intended workout, rather it be bulking up and gaining weight versus slimming down and losing weight.
Hey guys! What do you think if I started to pinpoint that women/men are both distractions to one another in the way that their goals or the workout are complete opposites?
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