Slamming weights, pump-up music and chatter fill the Fitness and Lifestyle Centre (FLC) at the University of Regina.

“Sorry did I get in your way?” says a miniature figurine hoping to draw the attention of those working out.

Elise Melanson, a PhD student through the U of R, has spearheaded “Can You Spot Me?” It’s a project based on her master’s research about binary performance in gyms and how this impacts gym culture.

“A lot of the data represented kind of shows this dynamic where masculine bodies felt really comfortable taking up space, and then the response to that is that a lot of feminine bodies feel like they have to shrink,” said Melanson.

Although Melanson isn’t aiming for social change with the project, she hopes it can be an interesting way to draw attention to the lack of awareness people have when occupying gym space.

“I was trying to find an accessible way that I could share some of the findings with the actual population,” said Melanson.

Viewers can scan QR codes beside one of the miniatures, where they are then taken to the “Can You Spot Me?” website. There, short stories taken from real women’s experiences, as well as data information, are shared about how masculine presence impacts the gym.

Sana Karam, a third-year kinesiology student at the U of R, goes to the FLC about five to six times a week. She noticed one of the miniature figures while she was using a machine and after finishing her exercise she scanned the available QR code.

“I didn’t realize what the ratio of men to women in the gym was until I started reading … it was kind of shocking to look up and notice there were only like five women out of the 30 people in the strengths area,” said Karam.

The information made Karam reflect on her own experiences in the gym.

“There have been some instances where men were trying to assert their space or presence when I was working out,” said Karam.

Anya Mandziak, a second-year kinesiology student, saw a poster showcasing the figures at the FLC’s front desk and asked what it was for, but hadn’t noticed the small figures elsewhere.

Despite not seeing the information provided by the study, Mandziak said there are times where she is aware of her gender when at the gym.

“I feel like there are people bigger than I am, like in height wise …  that work out and I sometimes feel very small,” said Mandziak.

However, Karam and Mandziak each said the male dominated space doesn’t hold them back from working out at the FLC.

“I just mind my business; I do my own thing,” said Karam.

Wyatt Rose, a third-year business student, goes to the gym about two to three times a week. Like Mandziak, he hadn’t noticed the miniature figures.

 “I haven’t seen them now, but for people that go there quite a bit, they will eventually, and it will bring awareness,” said Rose.

Melanson’s theoretical research emerged from her work as a personal trainer. She found that women, or prospective clients who came to the gym, were more uncomfortable with the social dynamics than the workouts.

“I think there is probably a lot of people that enter the space, particularly feminine people, that feel a discomfort but can’t put their finger on where the discomfort is coming from,” said Melanson.