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Original poster

Gym Fees

85 replies

Felix125 · 06/08/2021 13:09

I'm a male who is a member of a local gym. Open to all genders & ages and we pay a monthly fee. Its quite a nice gym and has a pool, steam room, sauna etc

They are now suggesting that the afternoon sessions at the gym/pool will be female only. Now, as I work shifts I can only go to the gym at certain times which will make things awkward as you can imagine.

As the availability of the gym is now restricted for me I have inquired if my fees will be reduced as a male - as I have less opportunity to attend. They response i got was 'No - they will stay the same for both men & women'.

Surly this can't be correct?

OP posts:
Original poster
Felix125 · 06/08/2021 14:15

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop

OP maybe take a moment to it make it about you, but ask yourself why you think there's a market for women not wanting men around them in the swimming pool! Ladies only sessions are very common in most pools and gyms. Why do you think that is?

Have a think and then decide if you're the oppressed sex here.

If you aren't happy with it then rather than stamping your feet and having a tantrum, maybe be part of the change that makes being around men more comfortable. Challenge everyday sexism. Challenge inappropriate comments you hear from your male peers. Listen to women. That's a good start.

Oh and the gym still offer swimming sessions you can be part of, it's not their fault you can't make those sessions, so no you're not entitled to a refund.

Woooah - where's all this coming from.

This was not a debate on which gender is more oppressed - that's an entirely different argument to have.

And challenging everyday sexism - is that not what I am doing here by challenging this possible decision by the gym management?

And its not a case of 'swimming sessions' - they mention the whole gym being women only on afternoons. My question was that i don't believe that would be fair if I am paying the same fees.

It was just a question - I was hoping that other persons have had experiences of the same or if other gyms have alternative male & female weeks say.

I think the consensus of opinion on here is to change gyms if they do pursue this - and I thank all those who have replied.

OP posts:
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 06/08/2021 14:16

My gym sends out an annual members survey and I asked in it for female only weights area and swimming session. I mustn't have been the only one because although they didn't change the weights area they did offer a 2 hour women's only pool session. It's bliss!! Only once a week though.

Insert1x20p · 06/08/2021 14:17

This was not a debate on which gender is more oppressed - that's an entirely different argument to have

It's not a debate- HTH, unless you also want to debate whether black or white people are more oppressed.

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 06/08/2021 14:21

Woooah - where's all this coming from.

From women who are fucking sick of whiny men stopping them having spaces for themselves.

This was not a debate on which gender is more oppressed - that's an entirely different argument to have.

It's women. HTH

And challenging everyday sexism - is that not what I am doing here by challenging this possible decision by the gym management?

Everyday sexism against women. Seeing as it's sexism again women which is what had led to things like demands for women-only sessions.

And its not a case of 'swimming sessions' - they mention the whole gym being women only on afternoons. My question was that i don't believe that would be fair if I am paying the same fees.

Ah I missed the gym bit 🤦🏼‍♀️ it's only whisperings though at this stage I really wouldn't even give it a second thought until the gym tells you something, though my first post still stands - women at your gym want to be away from men. Are you one of the men who are part of them feeling this way?

I think the consensus of opinion on here is to change gyms if they do pursue this - and I thank all those who have replied.

Well, regardless of wether you agree with what they doing or not and if they do it, it's never a bad idea to vote with your feet and your wallet

TheAverageUser · 06/08/2021 14:21

Every afternoon is a lot. Most gyms have an area for women or some select times but every afternoon is not reasonable for the whole gym to be unavailable. I'd vote with my feet and be off.

CatRamsey · 06/08/2021 14:21

@Hotcuppatea

Of course, all you have to do is identify as a woman for those afternoon sessions and you'll be fine. Just explain to them that you're gender fluid.
I came here to say this
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 06/08/2021 14:22

Or just identify as a woman OP. You won't even need to change your name or look. Just say "I'm a woman" and they'll get the red carpet out for you

SmokeyDevil · 06/08/2021 14:25

@Hotcuppatea

Of course, all you have to do is identify as a woman for those afternoon sessions and you'll be fine. Just explain to them that you're gender fluid.
Oh do this. If it actually happens just do this. They can't argue against it.

This is why these kind of changes are stupid.

Wrongsideofhistorymyarse · 06/08/2021 14:26

What's the name of the gym?

PurpleDaisies · 06/08/2021 14:28

I missed how early this was in deciding whether this chance will happen. It won’t. Maybe one afternoon or a few hours a week but certainly not every afternoon.

Are you looking for some men only time as compensation?

UDontDans2Tekno · 06/08/2021 14:28

@Insert1x20p

To be honest you should probably not be going to the gym at all until you get over the severe case of "whataboutism" that you seem to have contracted. I hear it's quite contagious and can lead to a severe loss of perspective. Best avoided.
What about op can't do what was agreed when he signed the contract??

That's the only whataboutism we be worrying about here

Orangemochafrappacino · 06/08/2021 14:42

This would be very unreasonable, if it was happening - which it isn't? Confused

Womens only sessions are a good idea but theres no need for every single afternoon, and I doubt it would make sense from a business point of view considering men going after work at 5ish probably makes up a high percentage of their clientele.

I wouldn't worry at all.

Disneycharacter · 06/08/2021 14:59

It's discriminatory. I'd go elsewhere after lodging a complaint. Why do women need segregated places?

PurpleDaisies · 06/08/2021 15:00

Why do women need segregated places?

Seriously?

Original poster
Felix125 · 06/08/2021 15:31

@Insert1x20p

You know dillon, I did read it, and I also read the update that is a completely different scenario (more plausible, admittedly, but rather different).

Here's what I did when I read the OP: I engaged my brain and I thought, this seems like quite a big gym if it's got a pool..... probably they would have a lawyer and they would ask that lawyer before they make contractual changes to memberships, because that would seem like a sensible thing to do. Now contract law is not cut and dried, so maybe a women's hour, that would be ok. Women's afternoon (i.e. up to 33% of the gym opening hours), unlikely to wash. So I think this gym would be unlikely to be able to do this and they therefore wouldnt.

Happily, as the OP has updated, it's actually not happening- it;'s just a few members have asked for it. So we're all good in gym land. THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT.

I haven't updated anything or changed the scenario - my original post said it was a suggestion.

And hey, maybe their lawyer may be consulted and say it will not be possible to do it.

Its Lloyds Gym by the way, so quite a big chain, but I think individual premises are classed as a franchise. Other changes to the gym organisation were done via the members (locker changes etc)

I just thought I would ask the question in here to see if others had experienced similar things.

I apologise if my question has seemed offensive or insulting in any way as it was not my intention.

I think I have had a fair response so shall we consider the matter closed.

Thank you for you responses.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 06/08/2021 16:00

@Insert1x20p

To be honest you should probably not be going to the gym at all until you get over the severe case of "whataboutism" that you seem to have contracted. I hear it's quite contagious and can lead to a severe loss of perspective. Best avoided.
I think that's uncalled for.
DillonPanthersTexas · 06/08/2021 16:05

I think that's uncalled for.

Haters are going to hate.

Wrongsideofhistorymyarse · 06/08/2021 22:09

So no confirmation of which gym? Colour me shocked.

UDontDans2Tekno · 06/08/2021 22:22

@Wrongsideofhistorymyarse

So no confirmation of which gym? Colour me shocked.
Felix125 Fri 06-Aug-21 15:31:34 Its Lloyds Gym by the way, so quite a big chain, but I think individual premises are classed as a franchise. Other changes to the gym organisation were done via the members (locker changes etc)

did you miss the OP update at 3.31?

Original poster
Felix125 · 06/08/2021 23:53

@Wrongsideofhistorymyarse

So no confirmation of which gym? Colour me shocked.
I have said which one - David Lloyds

I'm sorry - I didn't expect this to turn into such a toxic wrath towards me. As I stated at the start, this was a suggestion only and has not and may not come into fruition.

I was just interested in what others thought and if there were any similar experiences.

OP posts:
Wrongsideofhistorymyarse · 07/08/2021 07:13

Thank you, I did miss the update.

morningteaisthebest · 07/08/2021 07:26

missing the point of the OP, but I would love a women's only gym and pool. Heaven.

Anon778833 · 07/08/2021 14:40

@Insert1x20p

This was not a debate on which gender is more oppressed - that's an entirely different argument to have

It's not a debate- HTH, unless you also want to debate whether black or white people are more oppressed.

This ^
Anon778833 · 07/08/2021 14:41

So you've started a thread about something which hasn't even happened yet? 🤔

I go to David Lloyd and there's no suggestion of this at my gym.

PurpleDaisies · 07/08/2021 14:45

David Lloyd is not going to make every afternoon women only. It just isn’t going to happen.

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