The gym wardrobe wars are heating up, and one influencer is making it crystal clear she won't back down. Shelby Abbott, a popular fitness personality, is refusing to apologize for the form-fitting leggings and crop tops she wears to work out, despite recent criticism from comedian Shane Gillis and others.
Gillis, the star of Netflix's "Tires," sparked a firestorm of debate when he joked about the outfits women wear to the gym these days. During a stand-up set, he described his own struggles as a "fat guy" at a New York gym, surrounded by "the hottest gay guys you've ever seen." Then he turned his attention to the women's attire, saying, "I didn't know women just dressed like whores now." He doubled down, adding, "Look, I'm sorry. There's no other way to describe — have you seen it? I've seen it. The shorts. Have you seen the shorts?"
The comments didn't sit well with many, including Emmy-winning actor Dan Levy, who took to Instagram to call out the comedian. "Women wearing shorts at the gym does not make them whores. It makes the men calling them whores misogynists," Levy said in a reel, adding, "I'm speechless that something like that can exist on live national television."
Now, Abbott is adding her voice to the chorus of defenders. She and other female gym-goers have been criticized for wearing pants and tops that hug their curves, but they're not just taking it lying down. Abbott is standing up for herself and countless others who simply want to feel comfortable while breaking a sweat.
"I'm not apologizing for what I wear to the gym," Abbott said in a recent social media post. "I wear what makes me feel good and what works for my workouts. If that bothers someone, that's their problem, not mine."
The debate has ignited a broader conversation about body shaming and the double standards women face in fitness spaces. Many supporters point out that men often wear sleeveless shirts and shorts that show off their bodies without facing the same scrutiny. The backlash against Gillis has been swift, with many calling his comments outdated and disrespectful.
This isn't the first time a woman's gym attire has made headlines. From a yoga instructor's jaw-dropping outfit that left a class in a frenzy to Landry Kiffin hitting back at sideline outfit critics, the debate over what's appropriate in athletic settings continues to rage. Even a fan fired back at critics over a viral NFL game outfit, showing that the issue extends far beyond the gym.
At the end of the day, Abbott and her supporters argue that it's about choice and comfort. "Women can wear whatever they're comfortable with at the gym," she said. "It's not about anyone else's approval."
So, sorry to Shane Gillis and anyone else who takes issue, but the message is clear: women will keep wearing what they want, and they won't be silenced by outdated jokes.
