Question:
Kvod Harav,
1. Is it permissible to participate in a class at the gym led by a male instructor? (If it’s the only time slot that works for me and it’s a male instructor then) Also, I go dressed tznius wearing a skirt and long sleeves, but is there any issue of certain exercises being revealing or inappropriate to do in front of a male?
- Also, the instructor is a non-Jew, and is friendly in introducing himself by shaking hands, giving high fives for encouragement, etc. How do I avoid this or is that permitted in a professional manner?
Thank you!
Answer:
- I don’t think you should attend such a class. Without debating whether it is halachically forbidden or not, it is entirely inappropriate for a male instructor to watch you perform various exercises that are revealing, even if you are fully covered. This is especially concerning because I know of an incident where one of the students ended up marrying the instructor...
- Shaking hands with the instructor is not allowed, and you should explain to him the first time you meet that, for religious reasons, you cannot touch a man you are not married to. The poskim forbid this even in a professional setting like a handshake, much less a high five, which is a friendly, social gesture..
