“Be confident in yourself. Own the gym. It’s your space just as much as it is others’ space.”

As a full-time writer at BuzzFeed Canada, I cover all things pop culture and food.

"I can concur, I'm selfishly there for me and my goals. I do enjoy people watching between sets and find there is a ridiculous hypocrisy in the women's outfit choices, but that's as much as I look."

"And it's normally, 'FUCK, THAT GUY IS LIFTING MORE THAN ME….

"I look at form too, but only out of idle curiosity. I did say something once, though. There was a kid in the rack next to me doing RDLs entirely with his spine. It felt like it would have been unethical to stay quiet."

'I work out at home sometimes and have never once thought my workout would be better if I were just wearing tightie whities or that benching with no shirt was optimal.'

I also work out at home sometimes, and always do so shirtless in tighty whities. It may not be mode optimal, but it absolutely feels optimal to me.

Now I'd never do this at a gym, because 1, I'm self-conscious (at home, no one can witness my Globgogabgalab who switched out books for weights-esque body) and 2, I don't want to look like a douche, but working out in minimal clothing 100% feels right."

"I am also a 48-year-old father, and I know that girls literally wear things they think are comfortable and or cute. They don't need someone else's gaze for it. Sometimes they do want attention, but it's not a driving concern.

Shit, think about your wardrobe. Don't you have some badass hat, shoes, boots, or something you freaking love to wear? And sometimes you are like, 'Ok, this is too much,' and other times you think this works... Clothes are expressive pieces, but not just for attention. They make the wearer feel a certain way.

They will shut themselves down, cover up or wear something less cute, or make another compromise out of fear of social repercussions. Or they would feel like they can't actually wear something that is less coverage due to people who are undisciplined or otherwise too weak not to be distracted."

Note: Responses have been edited for length/clarity.