In recent months, more and more colleges have been enforcing a strict dress code at their campus gyms. Students are being kicked out for what is considered “inappropriate attire” and are leaving an impression as more and more students are complaining and spreading their voice to how a dress code feels more degrading than anything else.
In a way, it causes a feeling of embarrassment as the gym is supposed to be a place where you can feel more comfortable with your body as you kick a** working out, but yet are left only to be exposed to judgment instead.
Gif Courtesy of Theodysseyonline.com
In the recent media, a student at Washington and Lee University at Lexington was kicked out of her gym for a tank top which showed parts of her upper back. However with these strict dress codes, schools are leaving their students to work out in clothing which is less revealing, but if they are only left with heavy t-shirts and long sleeves than the risk arises of students overheating as they push themselves in the gym.
More and more controversy has arisen throughout school campuses as students are being forced to leave their gym because of what they are wearing. Thus, the question arises: are the schools going overboard with the gym dress code or has our generation lost sight in what inappropriate attire means to those around them?
Gif Courtesy of MTV.com
I think there are two sides to the story. I think a dress code can be beneficial to the students but I also think a too-extreme code could be damaging to their health and self-image. The important voice in this growing problem is realizing that the schools need to listen to their students but the students also need to realize how some might feel due to their gym attire.
Recently, my own school has tried to enforce a dress code and immediately decided to delay the code when they realized no one was following the rules of the gym. Taking a look at the issue myself and as a gym-goer, I do at times feel uncomfortable because certain clothing which may show too much skin by another student. That being said, it does not impact my workout. I do, though, understand why some might feel uncomfortable by the amount of skin which can be on display by some who workout.
However, as a student and someone who works out quite a bit, part of the reason many wear clothing such as tank tops is because the less clothing one wears, the cooler one stays while exercising. I think this is a part of the conversation which has not yet been discussed but needs to be.
Gif courtesy of MyBS.com
There are many, myself included, who tend to become very hot and sweat a lot at the gym, and wearing clothes, such as t-shirts and cover up more can cause people to be very hot and become dehydrated faster.
I do think the schools need to take this into consideration and also realize there is a difference between allowing students to wear a tank top versus someone wearing only a sports bra. I believe the tank top should never be banned, however, I do understand other certain articles of clothing which might not be necessary.