Woman Shares Experience on Mumsnet Forum
A 36-year-old woman shared her experience on the Mumsnet forum, a UK-based website where women discuss issues related to parenting and daily life. She described how her gym introduced a new policy that excludes older women from working out during weekday evenings.
She received a text message from the gym stating that from Monday to Friday, between 4pm and 7pm, the gym would be “reserved exclusively for females aged 12 to 24.” She posted a screenshot of the message in a post titled, “Am I being unreasonable to think this is unfair?”
Why Gym Implemented Rule?
According to the message, the gym introduced this change to support younger female members. The message explained the decision came after receiving feedback. It said the aim was to offer a dedicated and comfortable space during busy hours for young members who attend school or university.
The message also said that outside the restricted hours, the gym would remain open to all female members. The gym thanked members for their understanding.
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Woman Plans to Cancel Membership
The woman said she had joined the gym specifically for its weekday “ladies hours,” which used to run from 9am to 7am. After the new rule, she said the gym no longer fits her schedule. She told the forum that she planned to cancel her membership.She asked others if the change was “ridiculous,” and most users agreed that it was unreasonable. A large number of users, around 93 per cent, voted in her favor.
Mumsnet Users React Strongly
Many users expressed support for the woman. Some called the rule “ridiculous” and “wild.” Others pointed out that limiting access to women based on age seemed unfair. One person wrote, “Why women of a certain age!? I’d feel furious.”
Several users said restricting the gym for three hours each weekday was too much. Others said they would understand if the policy applied only to school-aged girls. Some called the rule confusing and suggested it might be aimed at attracting influencers or promoting a young brand image, media reports said.
Debate Over Intent and Impact
One user suggested the gym might want to prevent younger women from being approached by men while exercising. Another pointed out that women over 24 are not the ones causing discomfort.
A few users defended the decision. They said teenage girls are at high risk of dropping exercise habits and that special access might help them stay active. They also said businesses can change rules as they see fit and face the consequences if the decision fails.
FAQs
Why is the gym banning women over 24 during peak hours?
The gym says it wants to support younger female members with a dedicated space between 4pm and 7pm on weekdays based on member feedback.
What has been the reaction to the new gym policy?
Most Mumsnet users disagreed with the policy. They called it unfair and said it could lead to cancellations and public backlash.
