Whether you’re new to the gym or not, you must’ve heard someone calling others a “gym rat”. Maybe you’ve been called a gym rat too, or maybe you’ve found it to be funny and start calling a friend a gym rat.
Now, while it may seem funny to some people, it may sound pretty offensive to someone. That brings us to the question: Is gym rat an offensive term?
The term gym rat may be seen as offensive unless it’s between close friends. Like a lot of language, a lot of it depends on how it’s being used and context. If the person making the reference is a friend and uses it playfully, it’s viewed as teasing between friends. But it can be offensive if uses to insult someone, similar to the term “meathead”.
Let’s see who do we usually call “gym rats” and how does everyone takes this term.
Who Do We Call the Gym Rats?
The Urban Dictionary website defines a gym rat as, “One who spends completely excessive time chipping in building muscle mass, strength training, cardio, or aerobic activity; exclusively the person who exercises at a gym or any other health club.
Moreover, often used derogatorily by people who do not participate in or appreciate this lifestyle, some self-proclaimed gym rats use the term as a status symbol or for optimistic fortification.”
So, when it comes to giving the gym rat tag to someone, it’s not about all the gym-goers. Now, do we call gym rats? Is there any specific group? Well, let’s look into that!
People Who Go to the Gym Daily
Guys and girls who go to the gym not only to exercise but also flex hard on the fact that they work out are usually the ones who are labeled as gym rats. Bodybuilding, as many benefits as there are, may seem like it’s overdone by others.
That is why sometimes they might be called a derogatory term. However, sometimes, even bodybuilders who train for a specific purpose are called slang terms.
And honestly, that isn’t very respectful. Professional athletes need to focus on their muscles pretty much every day! These weight lifters are trying to train enough to make some good money.
People in the fitness industry hear this and other terms and phrases along the lines all the time. But then the people addressing people as gym rats are probably those who don’t have anything better to do with their lives either.
So, you can’t really expect anything better from them. On the other hand, the people at the gym 24/7 “pumping iron,” who supposedly don’t have lives, a person like this can be considered a gym rat.
These people always talk about form, pre-workouts, bro-splits, and whatnot. Your typical gym bro is someone who you can call a gym rat without feeling apologetic.
However, is it still okay to say so? Because, no matter what type of guy that gym bro might be, he has feelings too!
People Involved in Sports
Sometimes, people involved in any athletic activity, even if it doesn’t involve the gym, are also labeled this phrase. In fact, many of these bullies even call a woman who attends a yoga class, a guy who plays basketball, and anyone who isn’t a lazy-bum a gym rat.
How absurd is that! At this point, the word has been loosely thrown around a lot like many others. That is, honestly, just a very dumb use of words. Gosh, what has this world come to! Anyone who exercises is now a gym rat?
Not Everybody likes It
“I’ve never been called that. However, if I was called such, then yeah, that would annoy me.” says Ella Harlow, a certified personal trainer.
Since the word has negative connotations, there is a high chance not many people would like being called gym rats.
Have you ever seen the so-called “cool kid” in school bullying the boy from your class who goes to the gym and referring to him as a gym rat? As if it’s a bad thing. Half of the time, these “gym rats” could kick their butts, but bullies will bully.
On the other hand, people who have careers dependent on lifting and being in peak shape also have to deal with this kind of bullying. Also, calling women gym rats is offensive, and we are pretty sure it is sexist as well.
And mind you, we have heard people call women who spend a lot of time in the gym and focus on their fitness gym rats more than enough times.
People need to realize that it is not okay to make someone feel bad about doing something they love doing. And we have no idea why these people act like they don’t even know what they’re doing.
Is Using the Term “Gym Rat” Offensive?
The term “gym rat” is often used to describe someone who spends a significant amount of time at the gym. While some people embrace this label, others find it offensive or demeaning. The connotation of the phrase may suggest an obsession with fitness that borders on unhealthy behavior, like eating chalk at the gym. It’s important to consider individual perspectives and use language that respects their unique relationship with exercise.
But Then Again, People Get Offended Over Little Things
If we’re being honest, it’s hard not to offend people in this day and age. With things like cancel culture and “freedom of speech” (which is highly misused these days), you don’t know when it would be okay to call someone a gym rat.
We live in a society (we sound like the Joker now, but anyway) where people can’t take a joke and are overly insecure. But then again, should we be a little more sensitive towards their feelings?
Maybe we should. It is probably better not to call someone something that might as well make them upset. Better safe than sorry, right?
So, Is Calling a Person a Gym Rat Okay?
Well, is gym rat offensive? Hopefully, now you know!
Hurting someone’s feelings or saying something with negative connotations should be avoided anyways. If you should call someone a gym rat or not, to be honest, it depends on the person. We are evolving as humans, and taking people’s feelings and emotions into account is necessary.
If people who go to gyms regularly prefer to be called gym rats, call them that, and no one should get hurt. But if someone really gets offended, you better stop calling them a gym rat.
