Brunette Tshuma
Rumors and stories surrounding gym clubs have sparked concern among partners, questioning whether females should be allowed to visit gyms due to allegations of intimate relationships between male trainers and female clients.
“How far true is it?”
Many males have rather taken a second opinion on whether females, especially wives or girlfriends should not be allowed inside the gym due to these unhealthy occurrences.
Trainer MaChampion sheds light on the issue,
“Charity begins at home. Many cases involving clients and trainers are a manifestation of what already exists at home.”
He believes that personal issues, rather than the gym environment, often lead to blurred professional lines.
Though some clients visit these gyms with innocent mindsets, that of a healthy body and mind, it’s however hard to ignore those who carry extra motives with them.
“Young ladies, married women, and ‘pleasure seekers’ frequent the gym, driven by various factors. Married women, in particular, seek comfort and solace in gyms due to marital problems, insecurities, or arguments at home”
“Heartbroken clients or those with ulterior motives may grant permission beyond the boundaries of assistance,” MaChampion notes.
Though the gym’s Code of Conduct prohibits physical touch without client approval, many a trainer have been observed going being just assisting. This has bothered those whose beliefs are culturally hinged.l, those who believe that a man’s wife cannot be laid hands on by another man.
What is of serious concern though, is that, these gym frequenting women seem to enjoy the unwarranted ‘assistance’.
Another point of concern has been the manner of dressing among female clients when they visit the gym. The skimpy gym fashion that is now trending leaves a lot to talk about.
While comfort when training is key, some females wear revealing attire, compromising professionalism.
“It’s not mandatory for women to wear tights at the gym, but we can’t say anything because they’re the clients. They paid to use the gym,” MaChampion says.
He distinguishes between single and married women,
“There’s no difference. Married women wear the same tight clothing, identifiable only by a ring on their finger. But we treat them the same.”
In the beginning, after joining, there would be that respect of saying this is ‘someone’s wife’ and there are boundaries. But later the biunderies fall off as both the client and trainer get comfortable with each other.
From a trainer’s perspective, individual character, rather than the gym environment, influences behavior. Mostly it is the woman who breaks the ice, though male trainers have been making advances towards clients, both married, courting and single.
Many times the trainer would be aware of the status of the woman.
“Outside the gym, you’ll see the same people wearing revealing clothing, seeking attention. If there’s no problem at home, a client will immediately stop inappropriate behavior.”
As stated the character and behavior of the client is the one that leads to these intimate relationships between the trainer and the female clients.
The male trainer may take advantage by ‘offering assistance’ and begin the whole episode by small touches at sensitive areas until the client is ‘used to such touches’. This is when things fall apart.
MaChampion emphasizes,
“If the home front is stable, even if a trainer tries to cross boundaries, the client will assertively address the issue.”
Many men who have been asked if they would allow their wives in particular to train at the gym have been negative about it.
“Why? Why vele?” Blurted Michael Mabholontsha.
“If she wants to train, there are female trainers that would do a good job. I would take her there”.
Mandevu reiterated Michael’s position,
“As you can see, am muscular, I used to visit the gym. I know what I have seen there, I know what those trainers do there. I saw it with my own wives. Bayambamba umfazi lapho indoda engakaze imbambe khona. No, my wife will not set foot in a gym.”
It was very difficult to obtain a comment from married women who frequent a gym as they scoffed at this reporter.
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