How to flummox your local gym/pool

[Redcaronroad]

I've been in touch with a 2 gyms/pools with a genuine request about joining.

After the Wi Spa incident, one of my list of questions (along with prices, opening times etc) has been what is their policy if an intact male declares he's a woman and wants to use the female changing facilities.

Neither employee knew the answer ('it's never happened') and will email me with the policy

One of the employees (a woman) saw no issue with this scenario at all.

Has anyone else asked this question at their gym/pool and what was the answer? One of the ones I'm looking at is a chain which does say 'sex' on its notice about age of kids using the changing rooms with a parent...

I asked at virgin gym. They told me penis was fine in the female changing rooms with me and my daughters. I cancelled our 4 memberships that day after being members for 14 years.
Pure Gym has the same policy too.

Bannatynes is single SEX changing rooms. Duncan B is good at standing up for women in this respect.

Thanks. Bannantynes is a bit further but will look at that one too if necessary.

I reckon none of them think it will happen but I can see women and families quitting en masse if it did.

Only Bannatynes “get” the issue and have a strict single sex changing room police.

I think Douglas Bannantyne gets it as he was in the navy and spent time in prison as a young man. He will have met a huge variety of men and understand how unpleasant the worst can be, far more so than those who have led easier lives. Well done that man.

I don't care if it may never happen, I wouldn't give money to anywhere where it's allowed to happen.

OP when you get the answers from your local gyms can you post on your local FB groups to let other women know their stances? I think many women will vote with their feet and the more we can make aware of it the better.

Fitness First also has a single sex policy. I hope!

My local gym/pool told me they were absolutely single sex spaces without having to ask the question. On my first visit to use the pool the clerk was just giving me a bit of an introduction and specifically mentioned it when referring to the changing rooms. I asked her to clarify and she said yes they are single sex spaces not for those who only identify as. This is a small rural leisure centre run by the local council.

I asked a while ago at my local Nuffield gym. They didn't seem to get it. Just ignorance really.

OP when you get the answers from your local gyms can you post on your local FB groups to let other women know their stances? I think many women will vote with their feet and the more we can make aware of it the better.
@MrsRobbieHart
I would love to do this, but sadly I think it would just open me up to a tonne of abuse.

At the moment it's a theoretical question and ime most people really don't get the implications of someone of the male sex (even if in possession of a penis) sharing a changing room and showers with women and girls.

At the second gym, the woman in the membership department regaled me with a tale of how she'd worked with a transwoman who 'used the women's toilets' without complaints.

The employee was keen to get me off the phone - I'm not convinced she'll even pass my query on.