Furious members have accused David Lloyd of ‘discrimination’ after it refused to lift a ban on men attending spa sessions because some women said they felt uncomfortable for religious reasons. 

The exclusive gym chain, which charges up to around £200 a month for membership, has introduced women-only spa sessions at some of its branches during peak evening hours, from 6pm to 8pm on Thursdays.

Members at David Lloyd Purley told the Daily Mail they were not consulted about the proposals, which came into force at the start of October, and claim their subsequent complaints have been ignored – with the branch confirming via email this week the women-only sessions would continue.

They have accused the club in Croydon, Greater London, of ‘discriminating against men’ with a ‘medieval policy’ that puts the two sexes against each other. 

Gymgoers added that when they challenged staff over why the sessions had been introduced, they were told it was because some female members felt uncomfortable around men for religious reasons. 

They said they had not been offered a reduction in their membership fees, despite losing access to the spa straight after work on Thursday evenings, and that no equivalent men-only session had been proposed.

Sam, 50, who has been a member of David Lloyd for 15 years, said: ‘There has hardly been any communication at all. 

‘They put up small signage by the entrance to the spa saying they were introducing women’s only sessions around four to five days before they started.

David Lloyd, which charges up to £200 a month for membership, has introduced women-only spa sessions at some of its branches during peak evening hours (file photo)

A voluntary survey launched by a member at David Lloyd Purley found that 75 per cent of the first 82 respondents favoured restoring mixed access to the spa (file photo)

‘A lot of people didn’t even know about it. There was no email communication.

‘They’ve not consulted at all with the members and the manager said that some members were not using the spa anymore because of men. 

‘One of the reasons given was that some Muslim women don’t feel comfortable.’ 

‘Then when I asked about an equivalent session for men, the response I got was that men don’t feel uncomfortable around women,’ he added. 

‘I know some men who don’t feel comfortable with their bodies might try to go when it is a bit quieter, so you can’t just categorically say they wouldn’t be affected.’

Another man, aged 50, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘I think the women’s hours are borderline discrimination.

‘If there are men out there making women feel uncomfortable, then deal with them accordingly and take away their membership. 

‘[I asked why the sessions had been introduced at reception] and they gave me two reasons. 

‘One, because some women felt uncomfortable, which is basically tarring all men with the same brush which I took issue with and the second one was religious reasons.’

He added: ‘I think it’s a medieval policy. When you are talking about religious purposes, I think you have to have got a duty to all. 

‘There’s so many religions out there and there are also lots of atheists as well.’

A voluntary survey launched by a member at David Lloyd Purley found that 75 per cent of the first 82 respondents favoured restoring mixed access to the spa.

Nine respondents (11 per cent) said they wanted to retain women-only sessions but move them to off-peak hours.

Of the 16 women who took part in the survey, 10 voted in favour of reinstating mixed-gender spa sessions on Thursdays. 

One woman, aged in her 20s, told the Daily Mail she was ‘categorically’ against the introduction of single-sex spa sessions. 

‘In all aspects of life, men function and work and exist alongside women,’ she said. ‘I’m a victim of harm from multiple men, but in those instances, other men have intervened and helped.

‘I’m in favour of having a spa attendant present at the gates, both just to enhance the general spa experience, and if there is any inappropriateness that can be dealt with on the spot.

‘But it’s not been my experience, receiving any sort of harassment, in the spa. I think segregated sessions put men and women against each other in an unhealthy way.

‘The 6pm to 8pm peak time is ridiculous. Do [David Lloyd] really expect men to accept a mid-week one-fifth reduction in their spa usage without any consultation or refund for the unavailable time?

‘This is not what anyone agreed to upon signing up and being tied into a contract, and an expensive contract too, means that the ability to go elsewhere is essentially nil.

‘If women want to have women-only sessions, it can’t just come at the complete and utter disregard of men’s needs, their wishes, and their priorities.

‘I don’t particularly want special treatment as a woman, and I find it patronizing and insulting that David Lloyd Purley thinks I do.

‘I just hate how men are demonised and victimised just for being men.’

Women-only sessions have so far been rolled out in 15 of David Lloyd’s 151 gyms across the country.

David Lloyd has defended the move in correspondence with complainants, saying it fully aligns with the principles of the Equality Act 2010.

The group was founded in 1982 by the former tennis player and Davis Cup captain of the same name. It was sold in 1995 and is now owned by private equity firm TDR Capital.

A spokesman previously said: ‘At David Lloyd Clubs, we are committed to listening to our members to ensure we offer the best possible experience and to making our clubs welcoming for everyone.

‘The decision to introduce a weekly, two-hour female-only spa session was made after listening to feedback from many of our members across our clubs, who expressed a need for a short period of relaxation in a space exclusively for them.

‘The spa retreat remains fully accessible outside of these clearly signposted times.

‘We will continue to listen carefully to feedback from all members and would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to share their views.’

David Lloyd said it did not want to issue any further comment.