Gym Faces Backlash Over 25-and-Under Policy Excluding Older Women

A Gym's Controversial Policy Sparks Outrage

A small gym in Lancashire recently caused a significant backlash after sending out a text message to its female members that outlined a new age restriction. The message stated that only women aged 12 to 24 would be welcome during specific hours, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. After 7 p.m., the gym would become male-only, effectively banning women over the age of 25 from using the facility on weeknights.

This policy has sparked widespread outrage among members and the public alike. Reports initially focused on a post on Mumsnet, which did not name the gym. However, after some investigative work, FIKS FIT uncovered that the gym in question is Bodies in Motion in Brierfield, Pendle.

The gym claimed the new policy was intended to "better cater to our younger female members who require a dedicated, comfortable space during peak after-school and early evening hours." This explanation, however, has been met with skepticism by many.

One disgruntled woman shared a screenshot of the text message on Mumsnet, stating she would be canceling her membership because the new hours no longer worked for her schedule. She wrote, "This is ridiculous," and the online community largely agreed with her sentiment.

Some commenters suggested that the decision might have been driven by an individual within the gym who wanted to create a more youthful and trendy atmosphere, regardless of the impact on older members. Despite this speculation, FIKS FIT reached out to the business for a statement, but no official spokesperson had responded at the time of writing.

However, individual employees confirmed the details of the policy as reported on Mumsnet. They mentioned that the company had not explicitly explained the reasoning behind the change. Some employees also noted that members could still enter during their chosen hours if their access pass was valid.

There is confusion about how strictly the policy will be enforced and whether members will need to show age-verifying ID upon entry. One employee suggested the policy was "only for really old women above 50," though they were unsure of the manager’s motivations.

Despite the gym’s website claiming it believes "everyone – regardless of background or circumstance deserves the opportunity to thrive," the decision to ban older women from a female-only space has raised serious concerns about gender and age discrimination.

The Impact on Older Women

The exclusion of older women from the gym during peak hours has been criticized as yet another example of how women's value diminishes when they are no longer considered youthful or attractive. Dr. Ruth Hackett, a lecturer in health psychology at King's College London, described the gym's actions as a "barrier" for older women trying to maintain healthy habits.

Dr. Hackett emphasized that it is counterproductive to exclude women over 25 during peak hours when gyms should be safe spaces for all ages. She pointed out that such policies can reinforce negative social constructs about older women being less valuable.

Niki Wood, a personal trainer specializing in midlife women, called the ban "dreadful." She highlighted that there are already numerous barriers for women to exercise, including pregnancy, menstrual issues, perimenopause, and childcare. Adding time restrictions to exercise hours undermines these efforts and is tone-deaf to the life responsibilities of women.

Wood also noted that the fitness industry lacks representation of older women. Most fitness influencers are young, thin, and muscular, promoting a narrow image of beauty. This lack of diversity can make older women feel unwelcome in fitness spaces.

Dr. Hackett’s research with over 3,000 women aged 52 and older found that one in 10 women face discrimination, including being treated with less respect, receiving poorer service, and experiencing threats or harassment. These experiences can lead to poor mental health, increased depression, loneliness, and a lower quality of life.

The exclusion from a safe single-sex space can exacerbate these negative effects, reinforcing the idea that older women are less than their younger counterparts.

Fitness coach Niki Wood added that women struggle to maintain self-worth as they age, as society often equates a woman's value with youth and beauty. This ban contributes to that harmful message.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding Bodies in Motion highlights broader issues of ageism and sexism in the fitness industry. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the gym will address these concerns or continue to enforce its controversial policy.