Gender-specific gyms but not equal at all

Hello, our HOA clubhouse has gender-specific gyms, locker rooms, bathrooms and shower areas. Each has a sauna as well. The two areas are separated by a very short hallway.

The gym area in the men's area is much larger than the women's, and it also contains more equipment, and equipment the women's doesn't have at all (nor is there room for it). Their locker area is larger too. This place was built in the 80's to accommodate a generation of people at the time who probably cared less about gender equality and staying in shape than we do today.

We are starting a conversation in our community about this, and some of us believe we have a discrimination issue based on sex. Each member in the community has to pay the same amount for HOA fees each year, yet the women do not have equal access to the same amenities.

We are optimistic that we can identify simple and inexpensive ways to visually block the areas where members might be undressed and thus give access to both genders to either gym at any time. But we also anticipate backlash from members who say they don't want to work out in the presence of the other gender. I believe the right to equal access to amenities would override the personal preference of members who don't want to work out around the other gender.

Upon examining state law on this (WA state) it's clear this would be discrimination if the amenity were public, but I'm not sure it applies to a private club. I'm interested to know how much of a legal leg we have to stand on here. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Idea.
Remove and sell the extra mens room equipment so they have equal equipment.
Nothing can be done to physically change the building without a ton of money.

We are not "hollering discrimination", we are getting clarity on whether we have legal backing. And if we do, that doesn't mean the conversation has to GO there, but we like to be prepared going into negotiations.

The topic has been referred to a committee, and as I said earlier we have some good proposals to solve the issue if the BOD is willing to solve it.

For a legal opinion consult an attorney.

Why not re-arrange the equipment? Like put all the treadmill in one room and weights in another? Break up the equipment not based on sex but on use? It can also be an issue with the noise of those using treadmills versus those who want to lift weights.

Is the issue because there is an issue or the perception of one? When it comes to working out in the gym, there may be a certain comfort level between the sexes. Some women may not feel comfortable working out with men in the room and vice-versa. Has anyone asked if people using the gym want to combine due to equipment to keep it separate for comfort?

KerryL1, Agreed.... and if we aren't clear on our legal rights to this access we run the risk of having a few people who have a preference to not work out in a co-ed space block our rights to equal access to amenities. So rights should trump preferences. We've been warned that the people who have these preferences are very vocal about it, but that still should not obstruct our rights.

Yes, but some don't do it because of religious reasons. When I was a member of a gym, the women's locker room was attached to a separate room with exercise equipment because a few members were Muslim or members of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), so there was a modesty issue regarding dress. I seem to recall some of the Muslim women telling me in their mosques there were limits on women socializing with men who weren't family members. Like other religions though, there are differences in how people do things - we had other Muslim members who dressed modestly and exercised wherever they wanted.

Question: The gym equipment area in the locker rooms, do they share the same wall? If they do, open a doorway between the two locker rooms or either add or subtract an equipment piece to make it equal.

Honestly, I think you have a variance here, unless you renovate then you won't have to "make accommodations"check with an attorney in your state.

DB

I say make one big workout area and it be gender neutral.

MelissaP1, we are not reviewing this issue based on principle alone. There are female members who want to use the kind of equipment that is only being made available to men. And those of us interested in equal access to amenities are open to rearranging the equipment between the two rooms and making them co-ed. We are trying to find a solution that will minimize cost to the community. They may not be the most elegant solutions but they will fix the access issue. But they won't be popular with everyone, and in the past, apparently before I ever lived here, this issue was shut down by those voices. So I don't think the legality of this was ever brought into the discussion, which is why I am exploring that issue. I doubt that our HOA board would want to support the "shut down the discussion" voices if it meant we were knowingly out of compliance with state law.

You can quit trying to make everyone Happy. It is impossible in the world we now get to live in.

My suggestion is use a tool like surveymonkey.com and ask the questions you have with just a few questions. Take the feedback and let the board make the call with good data. If additional costs would be required make sure that the data is accurate. This particular site only allows one input per household or email address.

Usually you only hear from the vocal minority. It is a mistake to act on partial data.

or:

co-ed 24/7/365

a/k/a 'problem be gone'

I'm with RoyP & JohnC. anyone should be able to use ALL gym equipment during ALL the hours that the gym is open. there are times when my gym is busy and other times when I'm the only one using it. The very timid residents should be able to observe when the gym is less occupied.

Nowadays there are plenty of sources to buy conservative workout & swim attire. It's a huge & profitable market.

You make a lot of sense ND, but it would be little more upfront if we wrote "divided inequitably by gender." If one gym were not better equipped and with more choices than the other, there'd be no issue.