A Rise in Single-Sex Fitness
Forge Fitness, located in Eagle, Idaho, represents a growing trend among Christian-oriented businesses across the United States. The facility operates as a men-only workout space, citing Proverbs 27:17 as its foundational principle. Founder David Vargas emphasizes that training at the gym serves as a form of ministry, framing each workout as a challenge to build physical and spiritual discipline. The gym's online presence characterizes its members as warriors for Christ, though Vargas did not respond to requests for comment regarding the specifics of his business model.
This movement is not limited to Idaho. Similar facilities, such as Proverbs 27:17 Fitness in Oklahoma City and The Remnant in Denver, have emerged with stated goals of separating men from secular fitness environments. Founders of these gyms often describe standard fitness centers as sites of temptation, pointing to the presence of women in workout gear as a primary concern. By establishing these closed environments, owners hope to provide a space where men can focus on health without what they characterize as distractions.
Differing Theological Interpretations
Christian leaders express divergent views on the necessity and impact of these spaces. The Rev. Adam Briddell of Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise critiques the reliance on militaristic and exclusionary rhetoric. Briddell argues that the goal of ministry should be to foster maturity in navigating the world as it exists rather than retreating from it. He suggests that addressing concepts like lust through segregation may neglect the development of self-control and respect, noting that men will inevitably encounter women in public life.
Conversely, Pastor Stephen Duwe of Compass Bible Church supports the concept of sex-segregated gym environments based on a theology of distinct gender roles. Duwe teaches that men and women hold different functions within the church and home. While he cautions against performative machismo, he views the removal of women from the workout space as a practical measure to aid men struggling with sexual sin. For Duwe, the environment serves as a tool for guarding one's eyes and maintaining focus on spiritual purity.
Historical Context and Gender Dynamics
Academic analysis suggests these fitness movements often reflect broader anxieties regarding shifting social power. Lauren Sawyer, a professor based in Seattle, points out that the modern push for an explicitly biblical masculinity often mirrors earlier movements like Muscular Christianity or the 1990s Promise Keepers. These movements historically gained traction during periods of social change where white Christian men perceived a loss of influence. Sawyer observes that the language of warfare and protection frequently serves to reinforce traditional hierarchies.
Sawyer also challenges the premise that removing women from a room eliminates the influence of gendered ideas. She argues that the absence of women remains palpable in these environments, as the stereotypes and assumptions about them drive the very existence of the gym. Rather than encouraging healthy male friendships, these spaces run the risk of becoming echoes of manosphere discourse. She suggests that true community-building for men should not rely on the exclusion of women, but rather on fostering relationships that do not prescribe narrow, prescriptive models of how a person should act.
Ultimately, the growth of these gyms raises questions about the future of gendered ministry. While proponents see a practical solution for spiritual preservation, critics see a potential for isolating men from the reality of diverse, modern society. Whether this trend represents a lasting shift in Christian athletic culture or a temporary reaction to social anxiety remains to be seen. As more of these facilities open in states like Texas and Tennessee, the debate surrounding the intersection of faith, fitness, and masculinity will likely continue.