Sydney Gym Dress Code Sparks Sexism Backlash, Divides Members

Camperdown Fitness, a large gym in Sydney’s Inner West, recently updated its dress code, sparking widespread debate among members and online observers. The guidelines require women to wear shorts extending a few inches below the buttocks and sports bras with two straps, banning tube tops and one-shoulder tops, while men are discouraged from wearing muscle singlets that reveal too much arm or back skin. These rules are prominently displayed on TVs throughout the gym, showing examples of acceptable and unacceptable attire, which some members have described as overbearing and causing discomfort. Critics have labeled the policies sexist and outdated, with some canceling memberships and complaining about dismissive staff responses, while supporters argue the dress code is reasonable and comparable to standards in other businesses, emphasizing the gym’s right to set such rules. The gym owners defended the guidelines as necessary for safety and maintaining a family-friendly environment, noting they serve members as young as 14 and have an onsite creche. The controversy highlights tensions between enforcing dress standards for safety and inclusivity versus respecting individual expression and comfort in fitness spaces.