For more than four decades, Title IX has made major strides in opening athletic opportunities to women. These gains have spread down to all levels, introducing millions of girls to sports. Today, women are no longer thought of as outsiders in the weight room. However, some stereotypes do remain, possibly impacting options available to gym-goers looking to get their sweat on. Curious disparities can be seen every day at Eppley Recreation Center. Should anything be done to combat them?

At the University of Maryland, we boast a women’s basketball team that is a national contender year in and year out. At the men’s games, a significant proportion of the student section is women. Strangely, however, very few women play basketball at the open courts around the campus. This seems odd when the number of high school varsity basketball players is about equal between males and females.

This disparity is apparent to Elena Baurkot, a friend and senior journalism major who frequents the ERC courts.

“I think some girls might find it intimidating to play against guys,” she said. “I have been playing basketball my whole life, so I don’t let it bother me.”

Senior economics major Symone Jacas, another friend, said she agrees that experience plays a role, adding that “not as many women have been playing basketball all their lives as much as soccer.”

In intramurals for this spring, there are eight women’s basketball teams and more than 150 men’s teams. Clearly, there is a difference in the level of interest. Still, there should be a welcoming environment for all to participate. What about the idea of having certain court hours for women’s play? Perhaps this could also encourage more women to practice, which would build interest in intramurals.

Baurkot said that “if that would be less intimidating, maybe more women would show up at the court.” Jacas disagrees, arguing that “the few girls that do go to Eppley to play ball would probably rather play with the guys than just each other.” This disparity remains a complex issue, in which upbringing perhaps plays an important role.

On the other hand, women tend to predominately attend group fitness classes. Senior chemical engineering major Rachel Bade, who is a group fitness instructor at the ERC, said misconceptions about the classes might be partly to blame.

“A lot of guys aren’t aware of the difference between BodyPump, which involves weightlifting, and other aerobics and dancing classes like Zumba,” Bade said. Otherwise, male students may have “never thought of group classes.”

According to Psychology Today, competitiveness and desire to work out solo contribute to men’s feeling out of place in group fitness, particularly in U.S. culture. Men might also feel that their presence is viewed suspiciously because the groups are mostly women. These deeply ingrained habits can seem almost impossible to change.

To make health a priority, it’s important to set stereotypes aside and allow people to choose whatever suits their interests and goals. University Recreation and Wellness provides a wealth of opportunities for students that should not go to waste.

Daniel Galitsky is a senior economics and finance major. He can be reached at dgalitskydbk@gmail.com.