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Fitness professionals criticized Shane Gillis after he joked during his Saturday Night Live opening monologue about women’s gym clothing. The comments, reported by Athletech News, include claims that the joke objectified women and normalized scrutiny of their bodies; Gillis had not publicly responded at the time of the report.
Fitness professionals criticized comedian Shane Gillis after he joked about women’s gym clothes during his opening monologue on Saturday Night Live, arguing that the remarks treated women’s bodies as open to judgment. The criticism spread across social media, according to Athletech News, and Gillis had not publicly commented on the response at the time of its report.
In the monologue, Gillis said he had not been to a gym in a long time and was surprised by how women dress there, using a slur to describe their clothing and asking, “Have you seen their shorts?” The segment prompted responses from trainers, coaches and other people in the fitness industry. Their criticism focused on the suggestion that women’s workout clothes invite commentary or make men’s reactions their responsibility.
Liz Plosser, a journalist and trainer who previously led Women’s Health, said in a video that the joke reflected a wider pattern of treating women’s bodies as available for inspection. She also described receiving comments about her own body when posting workout videos, including judgments about her muscularity and appearance. Plosser said women exercise for their own goals, not to attract men’s attention.
Strength and nutrition coach Roxie Jones said the joke reinforced misogyny and was poorly timed given what she described as the situation at Cornell. The source report did not specify the details of that reference. Jones also argued that gyms should be empowering and safe spaces for women. Strength coach Kelly Matthews and running coach Amanda Katz were among other professionals who challenged Gillis’ framing. Male strength coach Danny Matranga said people at the gym are responsible for their own workouts and clothing, not for policing what others wear.
How the Joke Was Received in Fitness
The criticism centers on more than taste in comedy: the trainers say remarks about women’s clothing can reinforce the idea that women are responsible for other people’s attention or behavior. That concern has practical relevance in gyms, which are shared spaces where members should be able to exercise without having their bodies treated as a public topic.
Jones said only 22% of women strength train, presenting that figure as a reason to address barriers to women’s participation. Athletech News did not provide the statistic’s source, date or methodology, so it should be read as Jones’ cited figure rather than an independently verified measure in this report. The debate also drew responses from male fitness professionals, broadening the discussion beyond women’s accounts of the joke.
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The Monologue and Its Online Response
The remarks came during Gillis’ opening monologue on Saturday Night Live the previous weekend. The controversy described in Athletech News followed as fitness professionals shared reactions on social media, discussing the joke’s portrayal of women’s clothing and men’s responses to it.
The source report also noted that Jones named activewear companies including Lululemon, Nike, Gymshark and Alo while discussing the industry. Matthews’ post mentioned a promotion by Oner Active and a planned $50,000 donation to a U.S. organization working against sexual violence. Those details were reported in connection with the professionals’ responses; they do not establish that the brands or companies were involved in Gillis’ monologue or its production.
““As a female strength coach, the gym is supposed to be an empowering place. A safe space, especially for women.””
— Roxie Jones, strength and nutrition coach
Gillis’ Response Is Not Reported
Gillis’ reaction to the criticism is unknown. Athletech News reported that he had not publicly commented at the time of publication, but the source does not establish whether he responded later. The report also does not provide a statement from SNL, a complete account of audience reaction, or independent evidence measuring the broader impact of the joke.
Some claims in the social media responses, including Jones’ reference to events at Cornell and her statistic about women’s strength training, are not developed with further detail or sourcing in the report. The criticism should therefore be understood as the professionals’ stated views, not as evidence that every viewer interpreted the monologue the same way.
Any Further Response From Gillis
The immediate next development would be any public response from Gillis or further comment from the people involved. The source material does not report an apology, a response from SNL, or any planned action connected to the monologue. For now, the confirmed development is the criticism voiced by fitness professionals online and their objections to how the joke framed women’s clothing and men’s behavior.
Key Questions
What did Shane Gillis say in the SNL monologue?
Gillis joked that he had been away from the gym and was surprised by what women wear there, referring to their shorts. He used a derogatory term to describe women’s clothing.
Who criticized the joke?
People cited by Athletech News include journalist and trainer Liz Plosser, coach Roxie Jones, strength coach Kelly Matthews, running coach Amanda Katz and strength coach Danny Matranga.
What was the main criticism?
The professionals said the joke invited judgment of women’s bodies and could reinforce misogynistic ideas or shift responsibility for men’s behavior onto women. Those are their assessments of the joke.
Has Gillis responded to the criticism?
Athletech News reported that Gillis had not publicly commented at the time of its report. The supplied source does not confirm whether he has responded since.
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