New Women’s Only Gym Hours Becomes a Hit Among Students

A new inclusive policy at Green River College allows time for female students to use the Recreation and Athletics Center (RAC) with respect to their cultural, religious, or personal needs.

Since April 10, only women with Green River IDs are permitted to use the RAC facilities Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“There was demand from students and the Student Affairs Division to provide equitable time for women to utilize the RAC,” said Recreation and Athletics Coordinator, Rob Pedicone.

“There’s a high amount of diversity at Green River College, so with some of the different cultural and religious backgrounds, some women aren’t allowed to work out in front of men. This was an opportunity to create an equitable practice on campus to fill a demand and to have a quality program that reaches to underrepresented students, faculty, and staff populations.”

For the most part, this was a program that was created by himself and his staff, Pedicone said. “It’s been a team effort in sustaining and maintaining the program so far.” With assistance from the Dean of Campus Life, Dani Crivello-Chang, as well as the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), Pedicone and other RAC employees can provide women with high-quality gym services such as personal training, yoga classes, and high-intensity Tabata classes.

While Pedicone said this was not a reactive decision in response to cases of sexual harassment, an added advantage of securing gym hours primarily for the women of Green River College is that they can work out in an environment that is free of intimidation and judgment from men.
In such a setting, student Cassandra Garrison, 24, said “I feel more comfortable with just women. I have a few female friends who don’t feel as comfortable with men. One friend had a guy keep hitting on her while she was trying to work out,” 

Overall, this new policy has been a success. “We have some solid numbers. Our average attendance for the program is nearly 40,” Pedicone said. 

To refrain from having to kick male students out of the RAC every Tuesday, women’s only gym hours begin when the facility opens at 10 a.m.

If a male student comes to the RAC during that time, Pedicone and another staff member will be waiting at the front desk to explain to them the new policy. “A few of the gentlemen are a little confused, or share their immediate thoughts,” Pedicone said. “It’s a pilot program, so it’s one of those things where we listen to the feedback.”

But once they recognize the importance of women having their own space in the RAC, the male students are very forgiving. “For the most part, everyone’s been very understandable. They understand the value of it,” Pedicone said.

Another Green River student who understands the value of women’s only gym hours is Kent Gozum, 18. Agreeing with the new policy, he said “Women should have a day to work out where they don’t feel watched all the time. They need a break from the sweaty guys.”

At the core of this program is Green River’s strong commitment to inclusion and its eagerness to foster a gym environment where women feel comfortable and safe. Fitrated, a platform for gym equipment reviews, recently conducted a study in which 1,000 people across the U.S. were surveyed on their comfort levels at the gym. The study revealed that 65 percent of women actively avoided going to the gym out of fear of being judged. Conversely, only 36 percent of men shared these same reservations.

Although no one takes pleasure in asking male students to leave the RAC during women’s only hours, the limited space available in the gym leaves Pedicone and his staff with few other options.
“We just saw a need in that we have limited gym space, we’re not open all the time, so this was an opportunity to connect to female students that don’t regularly come to the gym,” Pedicone said.

Adding to this sentiment, Garrison, who has been to the RAC several times, said “I wish the gym itself was bigger so the men wouldn’t have to leave. The gym is relatively small.”

But in light of the recent #MeToo movement regarding women who face sexual harassment on a daily basis, as well as the need for Green River College to take into consideration cultural factors that inhibit female students from working out in the vicinity of men, women’s only gym hours are a way for Green River to show concern for the health and wellness of women. “It’s a good start to show appreciation for women,” Gozum said.