A recent editorial written by London gym goer Peter Lloyd, and published in the Daily Mail newspaper, has caused waves of confusion across Twitter.
Lloyd argues that women-only hours at his local gym in Kentish Town discriminate against men both economically and culturally.
Logically, the north Londoner argues that he's paying for 442 hours a year that he's not allowed to use.
However, as US-blog Jezebel points out: "Peter Lloyd doesn't even care about the pocket change he's going to make off this gym. It's the principle of the thing."
In the Daily Mail, Lloyd writes: "I’m suing the gym for gender bias. Not simply because their policy is unfair, but because it pathologizes masculinity while simultaneously repressing it."
The Kentish Town Sports Centre website states that 'Women Only' sessions run in the Fitness Centre on Thursdays from 6pm to 7:30 pm.
According to HuffPost UK readers, the women-only sessions used to be run from 6pm-10pm, but have been reduced in length this year.
Interestingly, opinions on social media appear to be very divided Lloyd's actions, depending on whether the matter is perceived as an issue of negative gender bias, or unfair business practice.
Find out how people are reacting to Lloyd's stand..
Twitter Reacts To Female-Only Gym Sessions
Rob Manuel(01 of15)
Open Image ModalGym I use is being sued for running a women only session. If I see this bloke I might tie his laces together. DM link http://t.co/tBhrnZIOhb (credit:Twitter:robmanuel)
Shayera Tangri(02 of15)
Open Image ModalYou guys! There are 18 whole days out of the year that he can't use the gym! It's an utter travesty! http://t.co/dxT0rwFM0G (credit:Twitter:shayera)
Gregory Easterbrook(03 of15)
Open Image Modalhttp://t.co/sHfoXcbu6A Is womens hour really all that equitable? I never thought so, and neither does this man. Worth a read. #gym (credit:Twitter:GregE37)
Brian Elwoods(04 of15)
Open Image ModalSupreme douchebag is now suing Kentish Town Sports Centre for offering women douchebag-free workout.... http://t.co/NIoKytOqsn (credit:Twitter:BrianElwoods)
Nick Veronica(05 of15)
Open Image ModalA guy in England is suing his gym for being sexist, and in my logical estimation he will win the case. http://t.co/VkwVbtfQFo (credit:Twitter:NickVeronica)
Jenny Trout(06 of15)
Open Image ModalWe can do one for Peter Lloyd, too: I hope Peter Lloyd DOES get to go to the gym during women's hours, but all the treadmills are taken. (credit:Twitter:Jenny_Trout)
Bea M. V. Lapa(07 of15)
Open Image ModalI am a feminist BUT this dude has a lot of very good points. If we want equality, there should be no gender or... http://t.co/oLjnj3vU0U (credit:Twitter:skysenshi)
El(08 of15)
Open Image ModalThanks, I think, to @hilaryjfb for sharing this stinking pile of garbage. Yep, structural sexism is beyond him. http://t.co/GILtZe3Q1u (credit:Twitter:bluntshovels)
Richard Oh(09 of15)
Open Image ModalMen under pressure? One of the great examples:)) RT @simonejulia: Just read this article. It's preposterous http://t.co/eOIEyMb3at (credit:Twitter:Richard0h)
David L Cook(10 of15)
Open Image ModalOkay women this will be kind of a hard one to take. I think this guy is very right in his lawsuit. Gym's and night... http://t.co/unFwEomZID (credit:Twitter:davelcook)
Matthew(11 of15)
Open Image ModalRT @AdamJVWright: http://t.co/QcZi45DNmg well played. Its time to take back our gender rights. (credit:Twitter:matthewctrl)
BrusselsLout(12 of15)
Open Image ModalRT @manwomanmyth: Peter Lloyd, a man doing good work http://t.co/ag2T125xWl Best of luck to him. (credit:Twitter:BrusselsLout)
Shizzle(13 of15)
Open Image Modal"I'm suing the gym for #gender bias...it pathologises #masculinity while simultaneously repressing it." http://t.co/EqbHz3sUSR Righto, cunt. (credit:Twitter:shirindemirdag)
Emily Attwood(14 of15)
Open Image ModalA British man is suing his gym for gender bias over the 442 "women only" hours offered every year. Is it sexism? http://t.co/AgTc9vZdQu (credit:Twitter:EmAttwood)
Tricialo(15 of15)
Open Image Modalanother attack on much needed #womenonly space > 'Why I'm suing my gym over their sexist women-only hours' http://t.co/Z087EiCaMg #sorryDM (credit:Twitter:TrishLowt)
According to the Daily Mail, in his initial complaint to the general manager, LLoyd asked the gym to offer one of these three alternatives
- A) maintain a women’s hour but introduce a men's alternative for fairness
- B) keep women’s hour (and only women’s hour) but annually charge men less
- C) scrap single-gender sessions altogether
A blog in AdWeek points out that while his column is generating praise from some equal rights campaigners, the tenor of his writing is far from diplomatic.
"The aggressiveness of his tone could also be seen as an argument in favor of keeping guys out of the gym on occasion.
Adding finally: "Will he be part of the solution or part of the problem?"
Update: This story was updated on 25/4/2013 to correct information about the introduction of women-only sessions.