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’re talking bollocks OP. It’s a business, the world doesn’t revolve around you

Yabu sorry-it was never a women only place and they want to encourage more members-my dsis goes to classes and theres a couple of men it doesnt bother her

You need to raise your concerns with the owners and endeavour to get some women only classes. You could also ask what the findings of the survey were.

I get you OP. Too many blokes changes the dynamic and they are often inconsiderate and take up too much space.

It's up to the gym to decide their usp though and they clearly don't agree with you. Fwiw, in all the classes I've been to over the years you never get many men. They tend to prefer weights. So they'll probably be in the minority anyway

I know you're going to tell me IABU because it was never women only in the first place Well yes, obviously. Find an actual women-only space if you want one.

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.
They have presumably thought about all this and concluded that attracting more customers through marketing more to men will be more beneficial than hanging on to what you see as their current advantage.

There used to be a women-only gym near me. It did very well (It closed eventually for other reasons), but this is a neighbourhood with particular cultural and religious demographics where women-only probably was the best USP.

Gyms that run classes only are pretty much always ‘dominated’ by a female clientele. Women - as a assumption - often feel more confident with an instructor telling them what to do and leading the exercise. Weights based gyms can seem intimidating to some of you don’t know what you’re doing. Also, classes are scheduled - women with children often prefer this as they can organise specific times for childcare etc.

Your gym was not female only but ... see my above paragraph... and in order to stay financially viable, a gym that offers classes only needs to have a broad appeal to the sexes.

I’ve just done a class that traditionally appeals to women. Some men in there too. They gave not a stuff about my workout and vice versa.

Too many blokes changes the dynamic and they are often inconsiderate and take up too much space.
I mainly go to classes, which are almost all women, and there are plenty who are inconsiderate and/or take up too much space!

love that MN sexism...

why do men make you feel unsafe? 'all men are sex offenders' is as acceptable as 'all women are jabbering fools' - i.e. not at all.

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.
But if they can loads if new customers it may have been worth the campaign for them.
I am not saying you are bring UR but may I ask in what way do you feel unsafe,?
I'm asking because I've never been to an all women gym. They only have one in my town and its miles away. All the gyms I've ben to, everyone does their own thing.

I understand where you’re coming from. I’ve been going to a Pilates class at my village hall for 2 years and it’s always just been women. 6 months ago a man joined and I initially hated it. I don’t want a man standing right behind me whilst I’m exercising- however I now just make sure I get to the class early and I stand right at the back so he’s always in front of me.
I know some on here will think I’m mad but my feelings are from past experiences so are very valid.

Not at all Lizzie

And it's not sexism to say you feel unsafe in a gym, no-ones saying "all men are predators " just some people prefer a ladies only environment when they're perhaps in more revealing clothing than normal and bending over/squatting etc - I bloody love Body Pump but will always get a spot on the back row for this reason.

There is a thread running at the mo about how often so many women and girls get cat called/ogled/deliberately made to feel uncomfortable by some men which is an eye opener. And whilst it's just some men, it's the frequency of it that is alarming.

@MaxNormal - "take up too much space". Are you kidding?

I've been a member of quite a few gyms over the years due to relocating for work on numerous occasions. Without fail, the most annoying people in classes are women. Especially women who fell like because they've done more than three sessions of that class that they have some special priority over everyone else.

They expect to be in the same 'space' every week. If you are there before them, they'll stand to close to you to try and edge you away.
If it's mat based, someone always puts their mat way closer to you than they should, meaning any work to the sides of your mat or in front or behind means you're banging arms and legs constantly.
The women walk across your own mat brought from home in bare feet.
Several of them always wear the little crop tops, full make up, hair all styled especially and barely break a sweat the entire time.
They refuse to use lockers and bring their bag, coat, phone etc in with them and take up entire walls with their crap.
They all try soooooo hard to speak to the instructor at the end (especially if it's a male one), to try be teacher's pet.
They're constantly looking around to see how good they are at the class compared to everyone else.

The men seem to just turn up on time, slot in wherever there is a space, work their arses off, understand the space people need to work and then leave quietly at the end.

I'd do a class full of blokes over one full of women any day of the week.

And as for feleing 'safe', OP. Safe from what? Being assaulted? Can a gay male attend then? What about lesbians in the class? Should they be banned too?
Utterly ridiculous.

https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/3796057-catcalled-and-groped-every-time-I-go-out

A third of my pilates class is male and I don't even really notice. Why would this be considered unsafe. They are concentrating on their exercise and me on mine.

OP what specifically in this situation is making you feel unsafe?

I think the bigger issue and question is why are you so scared of men? What about having men there makes you feel unsafe. Or is it just that you don't like it they are 2 different things!

YABU.

Why don't you join a gym that actually is women only?

Please clarify what you mean by feeling less 'safe'. Do you genuinely believe that a man is in some way going to endanger you during a class? If so,what are you basing this seemingly irrational fear on?

You realise a survey involves more than just you?!

Hi OP,
I can understand what you are saying. But personally I wouldn't feel 'less safe' if more men were there but more so uncomfortable.
I wouldn't feel comfortable going to an aerobics class and making a prat of myself if lots of men were there! I'd feel more comfortable if it was mainly women. But then I suppose I would try and find a women only class.
It is a shame your gym has changed but you can't do anything about it because it has not been opened as a women only gym.

Without fail, the most annoying people in classes are women. Especially women who fell like because they've done more than three sessions of that class that they have some special priority over everyone else.

^This is so true. Get form their little groups and think they own the place.

and it does feel less safe

Can you let us know in what way a man / some men attending an exercise class makes you in any way 'unsafe' ?

The Pilates class I go to usually has about 30 women and 1 man in it. Occasionally over the months there has been the odd other man coming once or twice, but normally it is just him. I suspect that is fairly typical of the overwhelming majority of Pilates classes - especially during the day time. I genuinely can't see any reason why it matters if there are 1, 2, or 17 men in the class.

Re the survey - I presume if they asked current members, that not everyone had the same opinion as you.

Wow. So little empathy and so much sneering on this thread.

Lots of women live with trauma from male violence, which means although they know not all men are like that they don't feel as safe around men as a class.

Agree user