David Lloyd introduces weekly women-only spa sessions at 15 gyms
David Lloyd Clubs has introduced weekly women only spa sessions at several gyms after female members said they felt uncomfortable using shared facilities, including for religious or personal reasons. The change has prompted complaints from men who say barring them for two hours a week is unfair and may breach equality rules; the company says the sessions comply with the Equality Act 2010.
The sessions have been introduced at 15 of the group’s 151 gyms, with one cited slot running on Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm. Male members have objected to the lack of an equivalent men only session, the timing and unchanged membership fees, while some couples’ members say they cannot visit the spa together. Other members, including Muslim women and women who have had uncomfortable experiences, have welcomed the provision.
- David Lloyd has added weekly women only spa sessions at 15 gyms.
- Some men object to the restrictions, timing and lack of a men only slot.
- The company says the sessions follow feedback and comply with equality law.
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David Lloyd Clubs runs gyms and leisure facilities across the UK, including shared spas. Some women have said they feel uncomfortable using these facilities alongside men, including for religious or personal reasons.
The Equality Act 2010 sets rules on discrimination and when services may be offered separately to different groups. The company says its women-only sessions comply with the law; some male members have questioned the fairness of the arrangement and the lack of an equivalent session for men.
The sessions are available at 15 of the group’s 151 gyms. The issue matters to members weighing access to shared facilities against the reasons some women prefer a women-only space.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Women-only sessions can make spa facilities accessible to members who feel unable to use shared spaces for religious, personal or safety reasons. Offering a limited weekly slot at some clubs may be a proportionate way to include those members while leaving shared access available at other times.
The case against
Members can reasonably argue that excluding men from a facility for set periods, without an equivalent session or adjustment to fees, treats them unfairly. The timing and limited number of participating clubs may also make the arrangement inconvenient, including for couples who want to use the spa together, and raise questions about whether the policy is fair and consistent with equality rules.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “David Lloyd sparks equality row by excluding men from spa areas in its gyms because some women feel uncomfortable”.