My local gym and its blatantly sexist policy - bah humbug!!!

[marty]

I know it's a Friday and a lovely sunny day and all (unless you're in Plymouth) but I still feel the need to have a good old rant over an issue I feel very strongly about.

I joined my local gym this week. Last night I went along for my first 'session' but when I got there I was turned away as they said it was 'women only' night. They didn't mention the existence of such a night when I joined. I asked the member of staff when 'men only' night was. I was told there wasn't one. The member of staff actually said 'it's a bit sexist, I know'.

Surely this is illegal? I, and all the other male customers, are paying the same as the women yet we are given less access to the facilities as one night of the week we are effectively banned from the gym. Am I alone in thinking equality has gone out the window and that this is just plain discrimination? I also checked their website which explains that 'women only' night exists to allow women to exercise in a relaxed environment. This statement implies that the presence of men is somehow 'non-relaxing' - something I resent. Sure if some men have been found to have made some women feel uncomfortable then those men need to be dealt with on an individual basis. It's not fair simply to banish men for a night in the week just because some women don't like men being around.

Anyway I've emailed the gym outlining why I think their policy is wrong. Hopefully I should get a reply soon. What does everyone else think? Surely in this day and age this sort of practice is outdated?

Rant over.

[Euterpe13]

That is certainly the silliest thing that I have ever heard/read - if these women are " uncomfortable " with men around in the gym, how on earth do they manage on the beach/ at local swimming pool?
Unless, of course, they are all from the local nunnery...

[englishangel]

That is ridiculous.

[jtaylor]

I guess it's the equivalent of the Channel 4 TV programme "Black Britain"

J

[J.R.]

I'm totally with you on this one, Marty, and I can see exactly where you're coming from........


.....nothing beats the sight of a tightly stretched leotard crotch, showing every little wrinkle and furrow !

I blame Jane Fonda for all this !


(Nurse ? Is it time for me pills yet ???)

[marty]

JR - Where would we be without your little insights into the dark recesses of the male mind?

[Richard Ruck]

.....nothing beats the sight of a tightly stretched leotard crotch, showing every little wrinkle and furrow !

J.R., are you suggesting that Marty should wear one of these in order to gain admission?

[marty]

I guess it's the equivalent of the Channel 4 TV programme "Black Britain"

J

I never saw that Julian. There are those who feel that they need to 'redress the balance' but often all they do is replace one form of inequality with another which doesn't help. Most instituations/organisations should, wherever possible, be inclusive. Maybe others should mention similar areas we could debate?

[marty]

.....nothing beats the sight of a tightly stretched leotard crotch, showing every little wrinkle and furrow !

J.R., are you suggesting that Marty should wear one of these in order to gain admission?

Not on your life, Richard!!!!

[Euterpe13]

I honestly cannot think of a printable comment on this one...

[bap]

.....nothing beats the sight of a tightly stretched leotard crotch, showing every little wrinkle and furrow !

I think I read somewhere that the garments JR describes are known as "mumblers".

[englishangel]

.....nothing beats the sight of a tightly stretched leotard crotch, showing every little wrinkle and furrow !

I think I read somewhere that the garments JR describes are known as "mumblers".

why?

So you can not only see the sex of the person wearing it but \lso the religion!!

[Vonny]

I've just this minute come from the local sports centre to pick up my daughter from a school visit there and I noticed there are two "women only" afternoons there as well. I do agree that it is sexist though and they should have men only sessions as well. Hope you get a decent reply from the gym.

[Richard Ruck]

I do agree that it is sexist though and they should have men only sessions as well.

I think that this would change the nature of the session somewhat! It would end up more like a Village People convention......

[AKAP]

JR. wrote: .....nothing beats the sight of a tightly stretched leotard crotch, showing every little wrinkle and furrow !

I think I read somewhere that the garments JR describes are known as "mumblers".

why?


So you can not only see the sex of the person wearing it but \lso the religion!!

Got a bit over excited there EA, hands began to shake when you were typing.