The gym near our place in Delhi was a no-no. Only guys went to the gym. You could see them from outside. Working out with heavy machinery - it was almost like an alien land of sweaty men. Nothing to do with good girls living in a civilised society in Delhi.
Till I got married and gained weight, I did not even know that was possible to my thin frame. My husband, familiar with gyms, suggested that I join one. Things seem to be different in Mumbai. There were unisex gyms where women worked out along side men. It did feel a bit strange. And I did not know then what I know now - that women's training plans are relegated to the cardio machines like treadmills and the ellipticals. The weights section is dominated by men, assisted by trainers who are men. Women are too frail to lift weights and try such stuff. And with all the testosterone in the weights section, women just stay away.
I did not particularly enjoy going to the gym or lost a lot of weight but I guess it was a great way to get some exercise. I also joined yoga classes which was a great thing to do for women. A few years later, I joined a fitness center where we did a variety of exercises in a women's only badge. We did have kettle bell and weights on some days minus the testosterone-y craze since we were all women. That stint did help me build muscles and therefore my weight only increased and I sorta looked bulky making people think that I had actually gained weight (screw 'em!)
I quit a couple of years before the pandemic hoping to find a new routine, which never happened. And then the pandemic hit bringing with it a myriad of other issues - lack of exercise being one of them. With other things happening around the next couple of years just flew past. I only regretted not having an outlet for exercise and I did not want to join a gym with its testosterone infused atmosphere.
That's when I started working out at home with YouTube. There is nothing like working out in the comfort of my own home. Initially, I was so unfit that any aerobics video was good enough for me. I'd be panting in a few minutes. So building stamina was easy to do through YouTube. I did not need expert advice or equipment to achieve that.
It's been great 17 months working out at home with YouTube. I did advance to longer aerobics videos and currently am able to start HIIT as my fitness has improved. I did a whole quarter of weight training from the comfort of my home with an exercise group last year. But the pace wasn't good enough for me and I wanted to first lose weight through cardio - a goal that I am at even a year later. I did a mix of weights and cardio at home and it has worked out well for me. The calm of doing it all at home just adds to my overall well being.
But now I feel the need for heavier weights. While talking to a friend, the topic of going to the colony gym came up. There are a variety of weights and also machines for leg exercises. There is no slot for women or promise of the air being free of male hormones. But it is worth a shot. However, I have decided to focus on cardio this quarter instead of lifting.
But then the topic of gyms got me thinking. Why are gyms such masculine spaces? I was reading up on this and the need for gyms arose when when machines took over the heavy work that men used to do. They had to expend that energy somewhere. And hence evolved this macho space where men could be men. And women erroneously believe that they don't want to bulk up, keeping them out of the weights area.
To this day, I am yet to come across a woman trainer - sorry for using binary genders - or a gym that's oestrogen friendly. A space for women, trained by women. Where we do some serious weight lifting! Not the pink and purple dumbbells! None of the patronising expertise of men like we are trying to get some space in their bastion. I'd like us to have our own bastion. Training spaces for women who can be taught the basics of weight training without having to be conscious or be watched by other people judging us or making fun for wanting to be stronger just like men are.
I know this is a distant dream. And even though I considered going to the colony gym for a minute,I have deferred it because one, I love the comfort of my own home. And two, I'd like to give cardio my all and see if the needle on the weighing scale moves. Again, in the absence of a personal coach, I am going by my limited knowledge of the field. When I do get back to weights in the next quarter, I will give this decision another think. Till then, my home it is!