David Hudson July 27, 2026 (queerty.com)
News that male, Christian influencers are opening men-only gyms to avoid having to gaze at women in figure-hugging Lycra has prompted widespread mockery online.
Last week, Baptist News Global ran an opinion piece on the development. It reported on a new, Christian-owned men-only gym in Oklahoma and another planned in Denver.
Jeff Hambrecht, founder of Proverbs 27:17 Fitness in Oklahoma City, says his gym avoids the dangers of men and women mixing in the gym. He speaks from experience.
“In a nutshell, one of the No. 1 places affairs and infidelity occur, cheating, is the gym,” he says. “Byproduct is someone who had an affair in my previous marriage. Doesn’t work out well for you fellas.”
In case you were wondering, Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Hambrecht’s gym offers a place “where men step back into brotherhood — where friction is welcomed, accountability is normal and growth is expected.”
Um, OK!
Reaction to men-only gyms for the bros
Despite appearing in Baptist News, the opinion piece was actually wary of such gyms. Writer Rick Pidcock suggests such establishments promote the idea that women are dangerous and need to be separated from men.
When shared online, the internet predictably had its own thoughts. Many said it all sounded very reminiscent of the gyms at the Y.M.C.A (Young Men’s Christian Association). And we all know nothing lustful ever went on there, right?
Gym motivation
On an unrelated, far-more-inspiring note, a post on Threads over the weekend also addressed the topic of going to the gym. However, in this instance, it asked people to share what motivated them to keep working consistently at the gym.
Funnily enough, no one said they went to stare at other gym goers. Most people were motivated by genuine health concerns related to aging, or simply because they enjoyed seeing their body change through hard work.
Related*
25 gym moments every gay man can relate to
In the gay community, those mirrored walls and rows of weights are the great equalizer
What gym attire will let your gym crush know you are into dudes?
“All the straight guys are wearing short shorts now.”
Sign up for the Queerty newsletter to stay on top of the hottest stories in LGBTQ+ entertainment, politics, and culture.
David Hudson is a contributing editor to Queerty who specializes in film, music, health, travel and queer culture. Connect with him on X and Bluesky and DM him with potential story ideas.