‘Gym bikini’ trend explodes as man’s exercise rant backfires
How little is too little when it comes to clothes at the gym? One man’s response has sparked a viral trend as women everywhere revolt.
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How little is too little when it comes to clothes at the gym?
That’s the question 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 centre in Dublin, appeared on a local radio segment discussing an article written by a 60-year-old man, titled: “I’m in 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 favoured by young women often leaves men feeling as if they have “wandered into the girls’ changing room by mistake”.
Mr Byrne took the argument even further, stating women’s workout clothes are now so tiny, they’re akin to bikinis – and his remarks have left many furious.
“It was never really an issue up until the last few years, when social media came in and a lot of people are filming themselves, the scanty clothing has boomed,” he told Newstalk’s Lunchtime Live with Andrea Gilligan.
“We have a lot of young girls practically wearing bikinis when they work out now.”
When the host questioned, “not actual bikinis though?”, Mr Byrne responded by clarifying “no” and described the popular crop top and short combo as “workout bikinis”.
“It can be very intimidating for people in the gym,” he claimed.
“It’s practically narcissistic, if someone has a great six-pack and young girls have amazingly shaped bodies that they are showing off basically, they should cover up a little bit you know.”
His remarks weren’t well received, particularly by women, with many responding to Mr Byrne by sharing the audio of his interview alongside videos of themselves working out in their “gym bikinis”.
“On my way to the gym, hope I’m intimating any creepy men with my bikini,” one young woman, wearing a blue sports bra and pants set, wrote on TikTok.
“Making sure I have my tiniest skimpiest most intimidating gym bikini on before entering the gym,” another scoffed.
As one woman, in a pink crop top and bike shorts, said: “My bikini of the day.”
Others called out the comments, claiming Mr Byrne should be “embarrassed” for his remarks. While some suggested that men simply “don’t look at young girls in 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 think it’s crazy to say they are pretty much bikini’s and they are borderline narcissists,” she told Andrea Gilligan.
“For years, women were told to be skinny, and now we are embracing strength, muscle and we are being shamed again.
“We should be allowed feel empowered, not policed when we are working on our health.”
“To blame a woman for someone else’s distractions, is outdated, and it’s problematic.”
She further shunned his argument that women in “skimpy clothes” can be a distraction to other gymgoers by pointing out men aren’t subjected to the same judgement about what they are or are not wearing.
This was a point 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 can’t look at men as sex objects. Stop blaming women for males inability to control themselves,” one said.
News.com.au has contacted Mr Byrne for further comment.
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