To think this is unfair?

[Whenlifegivesyouoranges]

I joined a gym a few months ago and one of the main points for me was that it’s female only from 9-7 weekdays. I’ve just had this email from them and I’ll be cancelling as it no longer fits in with the times I can go, but this is ridiculous, right??

You could contact your local citizens advice and trading standards folks. It may be that there is an Equality Act (or similar) legislative issue here. Generally you cannot discriminate against people on an age basis - though there can be exceptions (for example sports teams and leagues). It's unclear why this complete ban on older women is being put into place - but it seems rather daft. You may be able to do some google research and find other examples of where the Equality Act or similar legislation has been breached - ideally the examples would be age related, but you could also look for other forms of discrimination (gender for example).

The question would then be what to do about it: you could write an email/letter saying you are concerned about potential discrimination, and hope that they take the time to review and revise those policies so that people aren't being improperly treated because of their age etc. Question is whether you want to complain anonymously or not. Bear in mind that certain laws (the Equality Act is one of them) can prohibit negative action being taken against people who make a legitimate complaint. So, if the law applied and they then treated you badly you'd have another basis upon which to take things further. There are lots of "IFs" involved here - so if you want to know whether they have violated laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of age you'd need to get some legal advice - citizens advice/trading standards may be able to give you some general information. Some law firms also give 30 minutes of "free" advice before you decide whether to take things further.

Good luck - alas it makes you wonder what other laws they potentially aren't complying with - particularly if they are in charge of potentially dangerous exercise equipment etc.

I genuinely cannot understand the posters who argue this is legal discrimination.

Imagine if your mobile network provider wrote to you, saying “from now on, you can’t use your mobile between 4 and 7pm unless you’re 12-24. We’ve determined that this is when our younger users are on TikTok/insta, so we’re going to give them exclusive use of our network. Your monthly fee stays the same.” The gym’s notice is equally bonkers.

Leaving aside the blatant age discrimination, a business cannot unilaterally reduce the services previously agreed with a consumer. In doing so it is in breach of the original agreement.

This is a textbook example of an unfair contract term, and proscribed by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, schedule 2 para 18 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/schedule/2, namely “A term which has the object or effect of obliging the consumer to fulfil all of the consumer's obligations where the trader does not perform the trader's obligations.”

I would furious if this was my gym, why on earth would they do this!! I understand perhaps having a special time for under 16’s but not in peak hours. Insane!!

Is it a space issue? Is it a small gym? And they think dividing it up into age ranges would help?

Are they going to discount the membership cost for women over 24 who now can’t go to the gym outside of traditional business hours? This is really odd.

is the clientele for this gym largely part of a religious community with a huge sahm contingent? It’s the only way I can see this making sense from a business perspective.

I hope you quit in person so you can get some details on what is happening.

Surely there is also indirect sex discrimination here. Now no working women over 24 can use the gym on weekdays. But men can.

Sounds like they are trying to make it 'trendy'

It is certainly ridiculous and ageist too.

lol the poster you have quoted is hysterical. Don’t threaten to make legal claims that you won’t follow up on, do you actually have the funds/resources to file a discrimination claim?

By the way, the law allows for protected characteristic discrimination if it is a proportionate means to achieve a legitimate aim. I imagine that between 4-7pm is when females under 24 can better attend the gym due to education. It generally also happens to be the busiest time of day for gyms due to working hours. If they feel they can better streamline the footfall during their busiest female hours and that this is the age group of females that frequents the gym the most during this time, it’s not illegal.

plus you also must remember that although people assume old people when it comes to age discrimination, young people can be discriminated against too. If they can show they reasonably needed to filter gym guests due to age after already filtering guests on gender, likely by footfall and attendance data, you won’t be able to argue that you’re being discriminated against. Again, 12 year olds aren’t going to be able to go to the gym earlier than that, and any later then they would be attending the gym with males. Frankly it just seems like the gym doesn’t have enough equipment to accommodate everyone at once.

I don't think I could be bothered with a gym that's so restrictive with its hours. Even before this latest restriction, closed on Sundays, and completely either men only or women only at all other times. What a faff. I would go somewhere more welcoming.

It states in the email that the Ladies gym is still open , do they have a separate dedicated Ladies area like Puregym, if so why are Ladies only sessions when needed?

If this is a gym that caters for children as young as 12, then this isn’t going to be the type of gym that many are assuming (and the Op is giving the impression) it is ie a Nuffield or virgin.

Surely those times are implying that woman are at home all day so can go then but men work during the day and can only go in the evening! What about women who work all day or women who are at home during the day? It was absolutely bonkers before but even more so now! Also a m/f couple can’t ever go to the gym together??

What makes you think all that young women, or exclusively young women, will be on holiday then?

Of the ages who can use the gym during the 4-7pm prime time: 12-16 are school age, 16-18 are college age, 18-22 are university age - the majority therefore being on the summer holidays vs term time.

Eh? They're still able to use the gym even in non-term time. 🤔

Is this a gym in a highly Pakistani Muslim area? Just wondering is it a (wrongful) assumption that older Asian women aren’t working and can attend during off peak easily and that younger women want to work out without aunty etc being up in their business?

The fact this gym accepts 12 year old children means it is not a run of the mill gym and really unless the op provided the name of the gym, then it’s all speculation

It is not clear why the gym is restricting the schedule. If it was something to do with 12-24y using it after school etc finishes, then it’s odd to start that change to the schedule during the summer holidays.

So? The overlap is less than half of peak hours. Same applies.

I imagine that between 4-7pm is when females under 24 can better attend the gym due to education

And women over 24 who are working standard working hours can just stuff it.

We don't know OPs gy, my gym has peak hours between 5.30 and 7.30. This restriction would mean most women customers who go during peak hours would be unable to go to gym.

Ageist. Not legal surely?

Honestly sounds pervy..
Like the man running it or the staff only want to look at young girls

As several people have already tried to explain to you: the gym hours for women are 9-7 weekdays and 9-12 on Saturday. Which means of the of the 18 peak hours women can access the gym 15 are exclusively reserved for 12-24. Meaning the only time OP can go is 9-12 on a Saturday morning.