Fuck the Patriarchy: Why We Need More Feminism in Fitness

I’m just going to say it: It’s time to stop viewing health and fitness through the lens of men. We need more feminism in fitness.

Renowned American sociologist Allan Johnson said, “A society is patriarchal to the degree that it promotes male privilege by being male-dominated, male-identified, and male-centered.”

For too long, health and fitness narratives have been dominated by a narrow, problematic perspective—one that centers the needs and desires of white, heterosexual, cisgender men.

The term patriarchy refers to a social system where men control a disproportionately large share of social, economic, political, and religious power.

Patriarchal systems ignore issues unique to women, like lack of paid parental leave and poor maternal healthcare and support. They also normalize gender-based violence and control over women’s reproductive rights. 

For generations, women’s health and fitness has been viewed through the lens of diet culture—the belief that having a thin body is healthy and consequently, that those in larger bodies are unhealthy.

The roots of diet culture grew out of the patriarchy. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, religious white Christian men publicly equated deprivation with health and health with morality. During the time of slavery in the U.S., white supremacy intertwined with the belief that smaller bodies (read: white bodies) equaled goodness, while larger bodies (read: African bodies) were morally inferior.

Now, diet culture is perpetuated by capitalism. Think about it: everyone and their mother is selling something to make our bodies thinner, and it’s a multibillion-dollar industry.

Media and popular culture have reinforced patriarchal norms by perpetuating gender stereotypes and objectification—specifically the belief that for women, thinness is morally superior, “healthier,” and therefore more desirable to men.

From a young age, girls are taught to pursue a physical appearance that is attractive to white, heterosexual men at any cost. As adults, women are then constantly sold products and programs that continue to promote a physical ideal rather than promoting genuine health. This is how the patriarchy hijacks women’s health.

The Patriarchy and it Impact on the Fitness Industry

The underrepresentation of women in sports media and the fact that female athletes, as well as fitness experts receive less coverage—or coverage that emphasizes appearance over achievement—has been a hot issue for the past 5–10 years.

But there are many covert ways the patriarchy influences the industry. Let’s look at a few.

The Patriarchy Says Positive Fitness Results Are Different for Men and Women

Look at health and fitness magazines, media, and programs for men—what outcome are they selling? Now, look at the ones for women—what outcome are they selling?

It’s not the same, is it? Apparently, if women are healthy and fit, they are lithe, dainty, and thin. Meanwhile, men are encouraged to get bigger and gain visible muscle mass. The notion that men should be strong while women are small permeates many aspects of society, but it’s most clearly visible in the gym.

When I tell someone what I do, they usually assume I help people lose weight. That’s because most of us have grown up with patriarchal, diet-culture-driven beliefs about what health and fitness mean and look like.

I was actually rejected from a podcast interview about former legal professionals and their new gigs because the host (who didn’t know me) didn’t want to talk about diet and exercise due to her own history with disordered eating behaviors. She ASSUMED I am a weight loss/diet coach without ever speaking to me or looking at my website.

And that’s where we are now—people think “women’s health and fitness” means losing weight. I get why.

Fitness magazines and ads perpetuate this by frequently depicting idealized, male-approved female bodies, reinforcing narrow beauty standards. Additionally, most fitness magazines focus on weight loss for women rather than muscle gain by promoting crazy-low-calorie diets and only using tiny pink weights instead of eating to fuel your body and lifting heavy. 

This framework urges women to shrink themselves, both physically and metaphorically. For many, exercise and food become tools of punishment and control rather than empowerment—withholding food and over-exercising as penance for so-called “bad” behavior.

My friend and colleague Steph Gaudreau said in this podcast episode:

“We have this constantly being reinforced from a very young age—that if we look the part, if we look a certain way like these body ideals and beauty ideals, we will be more worthy, that we will be better people. And it is absolutely a tool of the patriarchy.”

Women are expected to be both consumers of fitness content and the aesthetic display, rather than active, empowered participants.

I’ve been coaching people for 15 years. And in all that time, I’ve never had a male client say to me:

• “I want to be stronger, faster, and fitter but I don’t want to gain any weight.”
• “Damn it, I feel great, but I’m so pissed that I’ve gained 8 pounds.”
• “I’m crushing my workouts, but we really need to cut my calories because I think I’m gaining weight.”

At least once a week, I hear these statements from my female clients.

And this overemphasis on physical transformation and aesthetics over overall health and functional strength negatively impacts women’s health.

🔹 A 2016 study of female recreational exercisers found that almost HALF were at risk for low energy availability (not eating enough to cover daily calorie needs).

🔹 A 2009 survey of 4,023 women showed that approximately 3 out of 4 regularly engage in disordered eating and exercise patterns.

🔹 That same 2009 survey also found that 53% of women trying to lose weight were already at a healthy weight but were still trying to lose more.

This is MADNESS.

Women, we are holding ourselves back by listening to this patriarchal messaging.

Fitness isn’t equated with small size or low body weight for men. And it shouldn’t be for us either. We deserve better.

Men’s Issues Are Openly Discussed, While Women’s Are “Gross”

Many women view gyms as a “man’s world.” And I get it—because let’s be real: men have been comfortable sweating profusely, grunting loudly, scratching their balls, and being unapologetically themselves in public fitness spaces. Meanwhile, women’s health issues—periods, bladder leaks, menopause symptoms—are dismissed as taboo.

The patriarchal approach to health and fitness has led to the belief that female bodies are gross or shameful. As a result, many women have learned it’s “too much information” to mention their period, bladder leaks during activity, sore or full breasts while breastfeeding, perimenopause symptoms, or poor body image to their coach or trainer.

But it should be your coach’s job to help you navigate these issues.

The problem? Women often don’t feel safe bringing them up.

And that’s a huge loss—because all of these are real, relevant factors in women’s health, wellness, and fitness. They’re not just “normal”; they’re barriers that a qualified coach can (and should) help you work through.

The longer we refuse to talk openly about the struggles women face, the less support women will receive.

Women’s Barriers to Better Health and Fitness Are Ignored

Despite the fact that women make up two-thirds of personal training clients, the health and fitness industry continues to ignore the numerous systemic issues and social determinants of health that disproportionately affect women and menstruating individuals.

Women often carry the lion’s share of responsibility for kids, the family unit, and aging parents. That makes getting to the gym harder for women than their male partners.

One simple way we could help? Offer affordable childcare at gyms.

Women deal with additional physical challenges, too:

• Menstrual cycles bring shifts in energy, mood, and performance.
• Pregnancy and postpartum recovery can involve core weakness, diastasis recti, and long-term changes.
• Perimenopause can cause mood swings, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and joint pain that are often misunderstood and dismissed.
• Pelvic floor dysfunction and urinary leaks during exercise are common but rarely discussed.

These knowledge gaps in coaches and trainers are perpetuated by the fact that personal trainers are not usually trained to help their clients deal with these issues because certifications that cover women’s experiences are still optional.

And it goes beyond certifications.

For decades, women were excluded from scientific studies. Medical and sports research focused almost entirely on male physiology, which means we have massive knowledge gaps when it comes to supporting women’s unique health needs.

Consider this: Erectile dysfunction treatments are easily accessible online—often without even seeing a doctor. Meanwhile, women in their 40s struggle to find medical professionals who understand perimenopause, let alone offer solutions for the life-disrupting symptoms that come with it.

The Gym Environment and Culture Can Feel Hostile For Women

Unlike boys, girls are not typically introduced to the weight room at a young age. By the time they reach adulthood, women are uncomfortable in what they have always felt was a place ”for the boys.”

Many women also feel intimidated by the hyper-competitive, masculine energy of gyms. Some avoid the free weights section altogether. I’ve even seen women have equipment taken mid-set by a man who assumed she wouldn’t need the barbell, plate clips, or other “serious” gear.

Additionally, harassment, objectification, and commenting on people’s bodies are still pervasive problems in male-dominated gyms where “boys will be boys” behavior is still tolerated.

Meanwhile, many top decision-making roles in gyms, sports organizations, and health companies are still held by men—who often ignore women’s perspectives and disregard their unique experiences when planning and managing gyms.

So How Do We Fix It?

If the patriarchy has hijacked health and fitness, feminism is the tool we use to take it back.

A feminist approach to health and fitness challenges and transforms the industry by addressing systemic biases and prioritizing inclusive, evidence-based practices.

What Is Feminism?

At its core, feminism is about equity—political, economic, personal, and social. It recognizes that modern societies prioritize male perspectives and that women face systemic injustice as a result.

Throughout history, feminist movements have fought to:

• Break down gender stereotypes
• Improve educational, professional, and personal opportunities for women
• Secure rights like voting, owning property, earning equal pay, and accessing appropriate healthcare
• Challenge societal standards around women’s appearance and physical capabilities
• Ensure access to contraception and safe, legal abortions
• Protect women and girls from sexual assault, harassment, and domestic violence

Within health and fitness, feminism reminds us that women deserve to be seen, heard, and supported—without being reduced to how we look or how well we fit into subjective beauty standards.

Why Does Feminism Matter in Health and Fitness?

The standard fitness industry approach is one-size-fits-all.

But women’s experiences—physically, emotionally, and socially—are vastly different from men’s. It’s time we recognize that.

And the barriers to health and fitness are more significant for women than men—especially as we age.

In addition to the issues I’ve raised in this piece, here are a few other things that the industry typically ignores about the experiences of women:

• Lack of female-specific coaching and programs that account for women’s changing needs and priorities throughout their lifespans
• Limited access to affordable childcare makes finding time to work out harder
• Appearance pressure leads women to feel too self-conscious to go to the gym
• Women’s activewear often prioritizes style over functionality (looking at you, see-through leggings and skimpy tops)
• Limited recovery due to the stress of having so much on their plates—women sacrifice rest, which is essential for health and fitness (no, we do NOT all have the same 24 hours in a day)

We know better now though. It’s time to do better.

Our Feminist Approach

At my company, Miles To Go Athletics, which owns Fit Bottomed Girls, we believe everyone deserves the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health—free from gender stereotypes and discrimination.

That includes transgender, nonbinary, and cisgender individuals—anyone who’s been harmed by the traditionally white, straight, male-centric lens of the fitness industry.

To be clear:

• We believe trans women are women.
• We welcome nonbinary and trans individuals who menstruate, experience pregnancy, or navigate menopause.
• We are creating space for anyone who shares these lived experiences, even if we use different pronouns.

Our mission – at both Miles To Go Athletics and Fit Bottomed Girls – is to shine a light on the challenges women – and those of any gender identity with similar experiences – face and create inclusive, supportive health and fitness environments where everyone can thrive.

The Future of Fitness Is Feminist

Let’s get one thing straight: The traditional fitness industry wasn’t built for us.

It was built by men. For men.

We’re done trying to squeeze ourselves into a system that doesn’t give a damn about our lived experiences.

The health and fitness industry has centered the needs and desires of men for too long—while leaving women and other marginalized groups to fit themselves into systems that were never made for us.

We can build something better—something that honors the complexities of our bodies, supports us through every life stage, and prioritizes strength, health, and joy over punishing and perfecting to achieve male-centric aesthetics.

Feminism gives us the framework. Now it’s up to us to use it.

Ready to break up with patriarchal fitness culture for good?

✨ Start by questioning what you’ve been taught about health, fitness and success.
✨ Seek out coaches, programs, and communities that prioritize your unique needs—not outdated ideals.
✨ Advocate for real change in the spaces you occupy, whether it’s your gym, workplace, or home.

And if you want support from a community and coaches that are already doing the work?

Come join us in our app-based training community, Stronger365.  We’re not here to play by the old rules. We’re here to burn the whole damn rulebook.

This is fitness programming that works with your body, not against it.

Fitness that actually accounts for different life stages, stress, caregiving, and the million other things women and marginalized folks are juggling.

Fitness that helps you get strong enough to handle real life—and still have energy left over for joy.

Join us for only $19 for your first month here.

Because the future of fitness belongs to all of us. And it starts now. Join us! —Alison