Purley gym members challenge women-only spa sessions over discrimination concerns
David Lloyd members at its Purley club have accused the gym chain of discrimination after it introduced women-only spa sessions on Thursday evenings. The change followed concerns from some women, including religious concerns, about sharing the spa with men; members say they were given little notice and were not consulted.
The sessions run from 6pm to 8pm, and the club has confirmed they will continue. Members say they have received no fee reduction and that no men-only session was offered. In a voluntary survey, 75 per cent of the first 82 respondents wanted mixed access restored; among 16 women who responded, 10 favoured mixed-gender sessions.
In short
- Purley members challenge women-only spa hours.
- Sessions run on Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm.
- 75 per cent of 82 survey respondents favoured mixed access.
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The case for
Women-only sessions can make the spa accessible to women who, for religious, privacy or personal reasons, would otherwise avoid using it alongside men. A regular, limited session may be a practical way to address those concerns while preserving mixed access at other times.
The case against
Members can reasonably object that reserving a recurring two-hour period by sex restricts other members’ access to a facility included in their membership, particularly if they were given little notice and no fee adjustment. They may also question whether the policy reflects members’ views when the reported survey found support for mixed access among most respondents, including a majority of the women who replied.
Explained simply
David Lloyd is a chain of health clubs, including one in Purley, south London. Its spa facilities are part of a service members pay to use, and clubs can set rules about when and how different areas are available.
The dispute concerns how to balance access for all members with requests for women-only space, including those linked to religious beliefs or privacy. Members are questioning whether restricting one evening’s access is fair, and whether they should have been consulted or offered another arrangement.
The issue matters because equality law can apply to how businesses provide services to customers, while the details and reasons for a restriction may also be relevant. A voluntary survey of members reflects the views of those who chose to respond, rather than necessarily representing the whole club.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Gymgoers accuse David Lloyd of ‘discrimination’ as health clubs ban men from spa sessions because women feel uncomfortable for ‘religious reasons’”.