World's first "lust-free" Christian men-only gym opens in Oklahoma

Jeff Hambrecht has opened the Proverbs 27:17 fitness center, positioning it as a safe space for Christian men. However, the unusual concept has sparked fierce debate online, writes the NYP.

The founder of the Proverbs 27:17 gym in Oklahoma City, Jeff Hambrecht, opened the establishment with one ambitious goal: to help fellow believers build muscle while simultaneously strengthening their spiritual connection with God, free from "distractions." The gym's name references the biblical proverb: "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

Hambrecht himself openly admits that he previously struggled with sex addiction and destroyed his first marriage through infidelity, having started an affair with a woman he met right at the gym.

According to Hambrecht, modern fitness clubs have turned into "places for quick hookups." The combination of endorphins, dopamine, and revealing clothing creates the ideal recipe for infidelity.

Many men undergoing rehabilitation work out at the gym. Eliminating triggers helps them cope with their addiction in the exact same way alcoholics avoid visiting bars.

The creator emphasizes that the gym's goal is not to isolate men forever, but to help them heal, learn to see women not as objects of lust, but as creations of God deserving of respect, with the prospect of eventually returning to regular mixed gyms.

The segregation trend and fierce online reaction

Curiously, the concept of segregated gyms is gaining popularity: a recent study showed that more than half of Gen Z supporters back the idea of gender segregation in fitness.

Nevertheless, the initiative sparked a flurry of sharply opposing opinions. On social media, the project was immediately dubbed an "incel sanctuary" and a "misogynistic echo chamber." Many users mocked men who require a special space to avoid succumbing to "wicked thoughts" at the sight of other people.

Others considered it a fair response to the existence of women-only fitness clubs.

Hambrecht himself treats the criticism philosophically. He notes that God endowed people with free will and plans to expand the business—with plans to open a similar gym, but this time exclusively for women, so they can train under the guidance of mentors of their own gender.