Planet Fitness is facing backlash after canceling a woman’s membership for taking a photograph of a man shaving in the women’s locker room. The company has recently seen its stocks nose dive following the incident.
Planet Fitness, a $5.17 billion company, is among the busiest and most popular gyms, promoting a “judgment-free zone” that welcomes fitness enthusiasts of all types. They have over 2,000 facilities across the United States and Canada and are known to have a low-price membership.
Alaska Woman Gets Membership Canceled After Taking Photo Of Man In The Women’s Restroom
Recently, a Planet Fitness gym in Alaska canceled a woman’s membership after she took a photo of a man shaving inside the women’s locker room. The woman, Patricia Silva, recorded a video after leaving the gym, discussing her thoughts on the situation.
“Good day. I just wanted to say that I came out of Planet Fitness and there is a man shaving in a woman’s bathroom. I realize he wants to be a woman. He gets to be a woman.
I love him in Christ. He’s a spiritual being having a human experience. He doesn’t like his gender so he wants to be a woman but I am not comfortable with him shaving in my bathroom. Alright? I thought I’s just say it out loud,” she said.
In another video, Silva followed up by claiming she felt unsafe.
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“It is rather disturbing. So I would like for you women to stand up and have a voice and stop the shenanigans. You have authority. Use your authority. I took that picture because I felt like I was in an unsafe space and so I am probably going to go report this to the police today. I just want to tell Samantha and Joe, who work there and own it, thank you so much for canceling my membership. You saved me the trip. Have a great day.”
Planet Fitness released a statement explaining not only their policy on gender identities but also about photographing others in the gym which is why Patricia Silvia ultimately lost her gym membership.
“Our gender identity non-discrimination policy, states that members and guests may use the gym facilities that best align with their sincere, self-reported gender identity.
The member who posted on social media violated our mobile device policy that prohibits taking photos of individuals in the locker room, which resulted in their membership being terminated.”
However, it seems that several individuals do not agree with the way the company handled the situation. Since this incident took place, Planet Fitness’ stock has decreased from a high of $66.92 to now $56.46. While this may seem insignificant, this amounts to over a $400 million plummet in value.
In the fitness community, inclusivity as well as safety are vital when working out at the gym. No one understands this better than influencer and bodybuilder Joey Swoll. He has made it his mission to eliminate ‘toxic gym culture’ and ensure that all individuals feel comfortable while training. He often calls out gym-goers for their unacceptable behavior that puts others at risk including recording an unsuspecting naked woman in a gym locker room.
With social media platforms more popular than ever, fitness fans are privy to stories that would otherwise go untold. Feel free to give us your thoughts about this situation in the comment section!
Watch the video below:
Planet Fitness Saga continues …Day two Save the Children I received a call this morning at 8:55 AM from Samantha at Planet Fitness announcing that they have chosen to cancel my membership rather than protect youth girls and women 12 years and older that enter the women’s locker room from men with a penis.Instead, they defended the man with the penis, who was shaving in the women’s locker room  Despicable.
Posted by Patricia Silva on Wednesday, March 13, 2024
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If you got mail parts you go to the men’s room if you have female parts you go to the women’s room. I’m right on board with a female feeling uncomfortable with a man in the women’s room regardless what he identifies as if he has male parts go to the men’s section.