An Open Letter to UConn Recreation

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Her Campus. 

Dear UConn Recreation,

After seeing various UConn Buy or Sell posts about how students have been told by UConn Rec employees that they needed to leave the gym for their outfits, I decided to do some field research for myself. After my class on Monday morning, I decided to wear my most “revealing” outfit; an opened-back grey Fabletics tank top and ⅞ leggings from Lulu (pictured below) and set myself up for failure.

First, I headed up to the stretching area and rolled out for about 15 minutes. There was no staff around so I forgot about my mission and got a good stretch in. Then I made my way over to do some machines (arm day, baby!), here there were some rec workers making laps but no one was paying too much attention. 

After that, I went to do free weights in front of the mirrors by the turf area upstairs. I tied my shirt to just above my belly button, about one inch of my midriff was exposed. I did that so I would be more comfortable lifting and so that no material would get caught on any weights. Standing in front of the mirrors means that everyone working out behind me got a full view of my exposed back. That’s when I started to notice some UCONN Rec employees looking at me while I lifted. Even though I was uncomfortable, I continued my workout while jamming to Kanye, waiting for them to approach me. 

7 minutes later,  the first worker approached me. She was a UConn student, the look in her eyes told me she didn’t want to tell me my clothes weren’t appropriate, but she spoke, saying my shirt did not fall under the “UConn Rec policy” for clothing. Determined to not feel controlled by UConn Rec, I asked to speak to her supervisor. 

The next person to approach me was an adult male. He told me that my outfit was “not hygienic.” I told him that I felt that wearing a more breathable shirt would not affect the cleanliness of the gym and that the rules and regulations were more than the gym’s hygiene but targeting women’s clothing choices. I also told him I felt objectified and uncomfortable by him looking at me and my outfit while working out. When I asked for his name, he would not answer and quickly went to get his supervisor.  

The last person to approach me was the Administrative Services Specialist for UConn Rec. She explained to me that because my midriff was showing, my outfit was not in line with the UConn Rec clothing standards. Her reasoning was that skin touching the machines was not hygienic, and UConn was trying to make the gym the most hygienic environment possible.   

Unless I decide to come to the gym wearing leggings and a long sleeve, maybe even gloves too, there will be skin-to-machine contact. She even mentioned in spite of this conversation that it was not appropriate for me to be lifting my shirt to wipe my face of sweat, since it was exposing my midriff, and that’s why they give you towels. I pulled down my shirt just enough to hide my exposed skin, which she said would be fine. My question to UCONN Rec is how am I supposed to excel in my workout while simultaneously constantly worrying about accidentally exposing skin and my face-wiping habits?  

You should be able to work out in whatever makes YOU feel comfortable as long as you’re wiping down the machines. Last year, my outfit never would have made an employee ask to me leave mid-workout. I should not be afraid to lift my shirt to wipe the sweat off my face. I also should be allowed to tie my shirt up if my shirt gets in the way during a workout. What is the difference between being an opened-back shirt with a sports bra and a racerback tank top? The same amount of skin touching the machine with both shirts.

I’m calling bullsh*t on you, UConn Rec. Stop making your employees go around and watch students working out to monitor their clothing choices. I should not feel watched at the gym since that is a personal time to better yourself. Your policies are making students all over UConn feel uncomfortable. If you are worried about the gym’s hygiene, maybe instead make sure people are wiping down the machines properly after using them and have your employees do extra cleaning steps before closing and opening. UConn Rec should be rethinking this newly enforced protocol and instead making their gym a welcoming and judgment-free zone.  

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