A fitness enthusiast from Maryland is pushing back after online critics accused her of dressing for attention at the gym. Deanna O’Donnell, known on TikTok as @deannaodfit, shared a workout video that quickly sparked debate about gym clothing and personal choice.

In the clip, Deanna wore light blue shorts and a white sports bra while preparing to lift weights. Text on the screen repeated a familiar criticism: “Girls who dress like this at the gym just want male attention.” The video soon went viral, earning more than 360,000 views and thousands of comments.

Deanna responded with a simple message. She captioned the video, “Or to look hot for ourselves?” Many viewers agreed, saying they choose outfits that make them feel confident, comfortable, and motivated during their workouts. One person wrote, “It’s literally just to look at ourselves.” Another added, “Compliments from women at the gym mean way more than anything from men.” Several women argued that feeling good in their clothes helps them train better and stay focused.

Still, not everyone accepted her explanation. Some insisted that wearing short shorts or a sports bra must be about attracting attention. One commenter argued, “If you’re not wearing it at home where no one can see you, then you’re not wearing it for yourself.” Another said simply, “It’s attention and validation.”

Despite the criticism, Deanna’s message continues to resonate with many gym-goers who believe confidence, comfort, and personal expression should guide what they wear — not online judgment.