UK Gym Slammed for Barring Women Over 24 from Evening Sessions
A UK gym has caused a stir following the establishment of a policy prohibiting women above 24 years from accessing the centre between the evening peak hours.
The outrage started when a lady vented her frustration on Mumsnet, stating that the gym would only allow females between the ages of 12 and 24 to access the centre between 4 pm and 7 pm during weekdays.
The gym had previously reserved the same hours as women-only, although without the age limit.
The woman wrote, "I signed up to a gym a few months back and one of the selling points for me was that it's ladies only 9-7 weekdays. I've just received this email from them and I'll be canceling as it no longer accommodates the times that I can go, but this is absurd."
In the gym's email, the members were notified about the new policy: "We are writing to let you know of an imminent change to our Ladies Gym sessions. From Monday 30th June 2025 onwards, the gym will be reserved for females between the ages of 12 to 24 years only during the following time slots: Monday to Friday, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM. This is in response to feedback and to accommodate our younger female members who need a specific, cozy place while our after school and early evening hours are busiest. Outside of these times, our Ladies Gym will still be open to all female members as normal."
The change did not sit well with many, with 93 per cent on Mumsnet agreeing, “You are NOT being unreasonable."
Users flooded the post with critical comments. One remarked, “That’s absolutely ridiculous! Why women of a certain age!? I’d feel furious." Another questioned the business impact, saying, “So a woman over 24 can’t go to the gym straight after work any more? They’ll lose business, surely."
Others shared similar sentiments: “I’d like the idea of women only time. I’m sure it’s popular, but genuinely, the age thing is madness. I’m sure many women will also be cancelling," read one comment. Someone else pointed out, “That really makes no sense at all. Especially as that’s a prime slot of time."
Another added, “That’s wild once a week, fine. One hour a day (outside of peak times), fine. Three hours every weekday is mental. I’d cancel too."
But not everyone disagreed with the policy. One said it was a good idea because many adolescent girls abandon physical activity because they feel self-conscious or judged. By providing them with special time to exercise, the gym might make them feel more secure and less apprehensive, just like women's hours are for the same reasons, they said.
