How little is just too little in terms of clothes on the gym?
That’s the query an Irish gym owner was debating during a recent radio appearance, and it’s fair to say, his remarks haven’t gone down well with women.
Paul Byrne, the owner of an “exclusive” training center in Dublin, appeared on an area radio segment discussing an article written by a 60-year-old man, titled: “I’m within the gym with semi-clad young women. Where do I look?”
The piece, penned by Robert Crampton for The Times, argued that modern gym attire favored by young women often leaves men feeling as in the event that they have “wandered into the women’ changing room by mistake.”
Byrne took the argument even further, stating women’s workout clothes are actually so tiny, they’re akin to bikinis – and his remarks have left many furious.
“It was never really a problem up until the previous few years, when social media got here in and a variety of persons are filming themselves, the scanty clothing has boomed,” he told Newstalk’s “Lunchtime Live” with Andrea Gilligan.
“We’ve got a variety of young girls practically wearing bikinis after they work out now.”
When the host questioned, “not actual bikinis though?,” Byrne responded by clarifying “no” and described the favored crop top and short combo as “workout bikinis.”
“It might be very intimidating for people within the gym,” he claimed.
“It’s practically narcissistic, if someone has an incredible six-pack and young girls have amazingly shaped bodies that they’re showing off mainly, they need to cover up just a little bit you already know.”
His remarks weren’t well received, particularly by women, with many responding to Byrne by sharing the audio of his interview alongside videos of themselves figuring out of their “gym bikinis.”
“On my technique to the gym, hope I’m intimidating any creepy men with my bikini,” one young woman, wearing a blue sports bra and pants set, wrote on TikTok.
“Ensuring I even have my tiniest skimpiest most intimidating gym bikini on before entering the gym,” one other scoffed.
As one woman, in a pink crop top and bike shorts, said: “My bikini of the day.”
Others called out the comments, claiming Byrne needs to be “embarrassed” for his remarks. While some suggested that men simply “don’t take a look at young girls within the gym.”
Nathalie Lennon, an Irish personal trainer, responded by highlighting the constant pressure women are under – even when exercising.
“I take Paul’s point on board completely, but I feel it’s crazy to say they’re just about bikini’s and so they are borderline narcissists,” she told Andrea Gilligan.
“For years, women were told to be skinny, and now we’re embracing strength, muscle and we’re being shamed again.
“We needs to be allowed feel empowered, not policed once we are working on our health.”
“Responsible a lady for another person’s distractions, is outdated, and it’s problematic.”
She further shunned his argument that girls in “skimpy clothes” could be a distraction to other gymgoers by declaring men aren’t subjected to the identical judgement about what they’re or aren’t wearing.
This was a degree many agreed with on social media.
“We don’t say anything when men have tank tops with their nipples out or be topless cause we are able to’t take a look at men as sex objects. Stop blaming women for males inability to regulate themselves,” one said.
News.com.au has contacted Byrne for further comment.
