Breaking a Sweat, Not an Identity
Breaking a Sweat, Not an Identity: Bi+ Black Men, Body Image, and Reclaiming Our Place in the Gym
TL;DR
The gym isn’t always a welcoming space for bi+ Black men. Between hypermasculinity, homonormativity, and body image issues, it can feel like there’s no room for us. But movement is vital—especially when health disparities impact us at alarming rates. Reframing the gym as a tool for peace, not performance, can help us reclaim our bodies, safety, and strength on our own terms.
The Problem
Let’s be real: the gym can feel like a battleground for identity. Whether it’s the dominance of cishet hypermasculinity or the sleek, filtered lens of “fit gay” culture, there’s little space carved out for bi+ Black men—especially if we’re not already “cut” or performing masculinity in ways others expect. Locker rooms are tense. Asking a trainer for help can feel like a risk. And even when we show up, we’re often unsure what we’re doing or too anxious to settle into a rhythm. That insecurity doesn’t just impact how we move—it often stops us from moving at all. Yet staying out of the gym has serious consequences for our health.
The Psychology
Bi+ Black men face layered stressors. From early on, we’re taught that Black masculinity must be strong, silent, and unshakeable (Griffith et al., 2011). When we’re queer or fluid, we’re already seen as deviating from that mold. The gym becomes a theater of performance—where masculinity, sexuality, and body image intersect under heavy surveillance.
And we need to talk about body image. Research shows that bi+ men—especially men of color—are more likely to report body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors compared to their gay and straight peers (Morgan et al., 2021). Many of us feel like we’re “not enough” for either world—not muscular enough for hetero spaces, not lean or fashionable enough for homonormative ones. These insecurities aren’t superficial. They’re trauma responses, shaped by systems that tell us our bodies must conform in order to be seen, loved, or safe.
When we internalize these pressures, we often disconnect from our bodies—seeing them not as sources of pleasure or strength, but as problems to fix or hide (Bowleg, 2013). Add to that the high rates of anxiety, isolation, and low social support reported by bi+ men (Feinstein & Dyar, 2017), and it’s no wonder the gym becomes a triggering space rather than a healing one. But healing is possible—especially when we move with intention, not shame.
The Facts
Black men in the U.S. face disproportionately high rates of hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease—conditions that regular physical activity can help prevent or manage (CDC, 2023). Queer Black men also face higher levels of stress-related illnesses due to systemic racism, homophobia, and bi+ erasure (Mays et al., 2004). And bi+ men are less likely than gay men to be out to their providers, meaning we often miss out on affirming health resources (Human Rights Campaign, 2016).
The gym, then, isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a frontline for survival. When we don’t engage in intentional movement, it’s not just muscles that suffer—it’s our mental clarity, cardiovascular health, and self-esteem. But if we can access the gym on our own terms, it can actually become a site of grounding, growth, and power.
The Advice
First, understand this: You belong in that gym. No one’s flex matters more than your wellbeing.
Here are some ways to approach it:
Start with a goal that’s yours—not theirs. Whether it’s improving your stamina, easing anxiety, or learning to lift, center your reason for showing up.
Use guided tools. Apps like Nike Training Club, Fitbod, or Centr offer beginner-friendly, body-neutral routines with no pressure to impress. YouTube trainers like Juice & Toya or Koboko Fitness also provide accessible programs rooted in strength and functionality.
Track progress your way. Whether it’s journaling how you felt after a workout, noting sleep improvements, or logging weight resistance, tracking helps you celebrate yourself beyond aesthetics.
Find peace in the pattern. Once you find a rhythm, the gym can be a meditative space. The regularity of movement and intentionality can soothe your nervous system and offer a sense of control in a chaotic world (Anderson & Shivakumar, 2013).
Consider off-peak hours. If locker rooms or large crowds feel triggering, going during quieter hours can make a huge difference in safety and comfort.
Tap into community. You’re not alone. Join platforms like Bi+ Black Men to connect with other men navigating the same journey. We talk routines, mental health, nutrition, and body positivity—with no judgment.
Join the Conversation
Bi+ Black men deserve spaces where our strength, softness, and self-determination can thrive. Let’s make the gym one of them.
Want support on your journey?
Listen to Bi+ Black Men: The Podcast on all major platforms or visit [bisexualblackmen.com/podcast]
References
Anderson, E. H., & Shivakumar, G. (2013). Effects of exercise and physical activity on anxiety. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 4, 27. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00027
Bowleg, L. (2013). “Once you’ve blended the cake, you can’t take the parts back to the main ingredients”: Black gay and bisexual men’s descriptions and experiences of intersectionality. Sex Roles, 68(11), 754–767. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-012-0152-4
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Health of Black or African American non-Hispanic population. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/black-health.htm
Feinstein, B. A., & Dyar, C. (2017). Bisexuality, minority stress, and health. Current Sexual Health Reports, 9, 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-017-0107-y
Griffith, D. M., Gunter, K., & Allen, J. O. (2011). Male gender role strain as a barrier to African American men’s physical activity. Health Education & Behavior, 38(5), 482–491. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198110388608
Human Rights Campaign. (2016). Coming out: Living openly as bisexual. https://www.hrc.org/resources/coming-out-living-openly-as-bisexual
Mays, V. M., Cochran, S. D., & Barnes, N. W. (2004). Race, sexual orientation, and mental health. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 10(1), 57–70. https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.10.1.57
Morgan, E. M., Ferber, A. S., & Nunez, J. M. (2021). Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors in sexual minority men: The role of race/ethnicity. Journal of Homosexuality, 68(13), 2246–2267. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2020.1729793
