Tiffany Austin (pictured above) wanted to get back into shape after recovering from a recent car accident. So she joined a local gym after her doctor told her it was time to walk more.
But Austin says she felt “intimidated and harassed” after her first day at Planet Fitness in Richmond.
The reason? The gym staff told Austin her toned bod was intimidating to the other members.
Austin said everything started out fine on her first day earlier this week. She said she noticed the other members staring at her when she hopped on the treadmill for a quick workout. Austin said she grew self-conscious but she continued walking. That’s when a male gym staffer stopped her.
Austin recalls what he said to her: “‘excuse me we’ve had some complaints you’re intimidating people with your toned body. So can you put on a shirt?’”
Planet Fitness has a dress code policy that prohibits tank tops, midriff bearing tops or muscle shirts that would otherwise intimidate the other members.
Its website says members can get in shape without being, “subjected to the hardcore look-at-me-attitude that exists in too many gyms.”
Austin says she was wearing a tank top that showed her stomach and capri-pants and says she didn’t see anything wrong with the outfit.
After asking to see a manager, Austin says she had enough. She asked for her money back and terminated her membership.
She says her 15 minutes at Planet Fitness left her feeling intimidated and harassed.
Geovanna Borges is one of the Planet Fitness members who appreciates the dress policy.
Borges says, “it’s unfair to show off your body” because it can make other people feel bad.
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