My almost women only gym is actively getting more men to join

[Healthierthisyear]

I go to a place that does classes only but I call it the gym for ease of conversation. It isn't women only, and men have always been allowed, but it's so heavily marketed towards women that it is mainly women who go. I go because it feels safe, and the proportion of female customers has increased even more over the years as everyone recommends it to their friends. That's become its selling point. And I've actually met a couple of people who thought it was women only and were surprised to learn it wasn't. It's fairly trendy and a bit expensive but I go because I feel comfortable there.

A few months ago they sent out a big customer survey and one of the questions was, do you think we should encourage more men to join? I said absolutely not as it's fine how it is.

They've obviously ignored that as I've noticed their website has more photos of men added. There's been a sudden influx of men coming to classes, and it's changed the atmosphere, and it does feel less safe. I know it's January and there's an influx of everyone, men and women, but still. Men can go to practically any gym and feel safe, so why did they have to change one of the few where women felt safe?

I know you're going to tell me IABU because it was never women only in the first place, but still. I don't know why they had to make the change because they're on the verge of losing their USP and becoming like any other gym.

You know you are being unreasonable. They are trying to increase their market share, ensure they remain profitable and therefore viable in the long term and, as you say, it was never a women only gym. At the same time you don't know that all the others who responded didn't proactively encourage them to get more men there. And equally if it's not the right fit for you you can move on.

Just give the gym your feedback: they might have increased their membership, fair enough, but if you no longer feel happy there, you should say so.

YABU it’s not a female only space, and never was. Men have just as much right to exercise and be part of an exercising community.

Was it just you giving the feedback then op?! I think your post is a bit self centered. Join a woman's only gym if thats what you want

Well, they are going to ignore your feedback if the majority said they had no problem with encouraging more men into the classes. They've presumably gone with the majority or with what makes most sense for them as a business and that's fair enough.

They are trying to increase their market share, ensure they remain profitable and therefore viable in the long term

I think if this situation carries on they're going to lose a load of female customers who went there for the same reason as me.

Are you worried about male-bodied people in the women's changing room making you feel unsafe, OP? Or just sharing a class with men? YANBU for the first senario but YABU for the second.

Do you feel unsafe shopping in Tesco with men shopping there too?

Safe from what? Genuinely. From men seeing you exercise?

They are a business and need to make money. If men bring in money and balance the books they why wouldn’t they

Your is not a woman only gym/class, men have always been allowed.

It does feel less safe why? The vast majority of men aren’t waiting to attack you or anything you know, they attend the gym for the same reason as you.....

If your not happy then leave, you may be able to find a gym that is actually women only. However a lot of new customers will stop going in a month or so when they get bored of the news year resolution as any regular gym goer knows

YABU.

Just because you and others view it as a female only space doesn't mean it is or ever was.

The gym obviously did not see it that way and if they're bringing in more revenue from men and/or women then they really won't miss a few people who could piss off to Curves who's whole marketing strategy is geared towards them.

No, because I expect there to be men at Tesco in the first place, because it's always been the case. The gym has always had a female majority that's been increasing year on year, which has been the USP and why women go in the first place, and now they want to do away with it.

There have been a couple of women only gyms around here over the years. They didn’t last long, presumably because restricting your market to half of the population is not a viable business model.

It feels "less safe" because men are there !

What on earth are you on about OP?

I'd assume the feedback was customers were happy for men to join. If it was hugely a no they'd likely not have done it.

If you prefer the gym space to be women only, there is a lot out there specifically for that. YABU for complaining that men are joining and you're not happy that the dynamics have changed, but I can see why you are miffed regardless :) It was nice while it lasted, but if it's not what you want now, get investigating now while all the new gym offers are on.

It wasn't their USP.

They never marketed themselves as women only so they never used it as a selling point.

If women viewed it that way and took it upon themselves to spread it as word of mouth then that's on them, not the company.

The gym has always had a female majority that's been increasing year on year, which has been the USP and why women go in the first place, and now they want to do away with it

OP I've only just read this part and that isn't fair on the gym.

You mention the first post that you knew it wasn't a women-only gym , it just happened to be that it was all women using the facilities.

So it wasn't their USP - they weren't using this coincidence to sell the gym, it wasn't intended to be that way.

They aren't doing away with anything. The gym was clearly aware it was all female, asked the question to gauge the reaction of the clientele, and turns out your opinion must have been in the minority.

Why is it now less safe? Men aren't some kind of evil monster!

If you want a women only gym go and join one?

Because they're a business working in an open market. They have decided that the best thing for their business is to not restrict their market to half of the population but to try and increase the number of men who join. That's sensible business practice.

They have probably considered the risk that women will leave as a result and either dismissed it or mitigated it, as is their right. They are free to change their marketing and operating strategy in the future if needed.

They will have used the results of their survey (from all respondents - not just you) as part of their decision-making process. Even if every single respondent said they wouldn't like it, they are still free to run their business how they choose, and you don't know what other data or insight has informed their decision.

They're not a charity or regulated business aimed at providing women with a male-free space.

If it's just classes and has a high majority of women, it's likely that this will put a lot of men off joining anyway. You'll probably find that the men that do join are coming with their wife/partner.

Why do you think that you wouldn't feel safe in another gym?
If it's something like "macho image" that would also put off a certain type of man.

I think you are being VU but rather than getting stressed about it, talk to the owners and suggest that they do some specific women-only classes, if it bothers you so much. Then if it truly is their USP, this will be borne out. That way you'll be safe (from what, I don't know) and men can attend all the rest of the classes

There are a few men in each exercise class I go to. I don't feel any less safe because of their presence. Why would I?

And yes, what everyone else said about this gym never being single sex in the first place. And your response to the survey wasn't the only important one so
I said absolutely not as it's fine how it is.They've obviously ignored that is a bizarre reaction. Do you think they only sent the survey to you?

What coco said.
Provided changing facilities remain biological sex segregated (not gender) I think YAB a little U however I can see too how you're annoyed. And for yourself or any customer who has been a victim of male violence or predatory behaviour or for reasons of faith can't be in the environment un-chaperoned I totally get why you've chosen this gym. For what it's worth I am massively anti biological males in female only spaces and I would fight tooth and nail if one I or my daughter frequented were to change however I regularly attend a gym and am happy being in the free weights section where every customer regardless of sex is respectful of personal space and boundaries. And if someone wasn't I would tell them and inform management.

With classes you tend to have your own "zone" as it were on say a mat or bike, provided classes aren't over subscribed. So provided changing facilities remain the same, parking is well lit and suitable CCVT everywhere ... thus is where I feel your being U.

Of course if they have gone against lots of customer feedback like yours in a misguided attempt to increase member numbers then they'll soon find out.

What's making you feel unsafe?

If some other ladies feel the same as you then why don't you get together and approach the gym about the possibility of doing some women's only classes?

If it's not a single sex gym then you can't really complain that men go, and if that's what you want, and there's nothing wrong with that, then you need to find one for ladies only.