Bikini Body Guide founder Kayla Itsines, 28, slams the sexism she's faced in the fitness industry - and says 'muscles are for everyone'
- Personal trainer and new mum Kayla Itsines has commented on sexism in fitness
- The 28-year-old was told there are 'men's push ups' and 'girls' push ups' once
- She was also bullied by a girl in primary school who said she 'was a boy with abs'
- Kayla wanted to remind people that anyone can have muscles if they work hard
Personal trainer Kayla Itsines has spoken out about the sexism she faced as a child who 'loved sports' and later as an adult who made fitness her full time career.
The 28-year-old new mother was encouraged to share part of her history on social media, saying that it's not fair that woman are looked down on for wanting or having a muscular appearance.
'In primary school I played a lot of sport,' the South Australian native wrote on Instagram.
'I remember a girl coming up to me and lifting up my t-shirt and saying "SEE, she has a six pack - she's a boy! You're a boy!"'
Personal trainer Kayla Itsines has spoken out about the sexism she faced as a child who 'loved sports' and later as an adult who made fitness their full time career
Kayla said even at such a young age she tried to defend herself to the girl, saying that she wasn't a boy just because of her appearance.
'She said "Yes you are! Only boys have six packs and can do push ups." So just to be clear I definitely didn't have a six pack but apparently because I had strong ab muscles and could do push ups when I was 11 years old... I was a boy,' she said.
The uncomfortable run-in wasn't a one-time only offense, with Kayla noting a similar bout of sexism when she started personal training in 2009.
'Someone told me that a push up on your toes is called "a man push up" and the one on your knees is "a girl push up". I'M SORRY, WHAT IS GOING ON!?' Her caption continued.
The uncomfortable run-in wasn't a one-time only offense, with Kayla noting a similar bout of sexism when she started personal training in 2009 (pictured after giving birth)
'Ladies can we please teach the world that muscles are for everyone, fitness is for everyone, health, weights, training and working out is for EVERYONE,' Kayla (right) said
'Ladies can we please teach the world that muscles are for everyone, fitness is for everyone, health, weights, training and working out is for EVERYONE!
'You are NOT a "man" or a "body builder" if you have muscles. You are strong and amazing and please don't let anyone tell you otherwise.'
It was a stark reminder for some of Kayla's 12.1million followers on the photo sharing platform, with plenty of them saying they had noticed the rife sexism in their local gym.
'I also hate the free weight section being the "boys section" of the gym. I'm a girl and I lift too thank you very much,' one woman responded.
It was a stark reminder for some of Kayla's 12.1million followers on the photo sharing platform, with plenty of them saying they had noticed the rife sexism in their local gym
Kayla and her husband Tobi Pearce have built a fitness empire worth $487million in the six years since they met in an Adelaide gym
'Amen! I've had people tell me I'm strong for a girl. What?! I'm just strong!' Said another.
A third added: 'I still remember being 13 and a girl told me my shoulders were too muscular to wear singlets! I am proud of my strong arms now.'
Kayla and her husband Tobi Pearce have built a fitness empire worth $487million in the six years since they met in an Adelaide gym.
The couple have made almost half a billion dollars through Sweat with Kayla, a workout app based on Kayla's personal exercise routine which she calls the 'Bikini Body Guide' (BBG).
The first-time parents have been ranked numbers 206 and 207 on Australia's Rich list 2019, making them the youngest people ever featured.
They announced their engagement in April 2018 but are yet to marry.
