A gym in Wānaka, New Zealand, has pushed back against an online review criticising women’s workout clothing, reaffirming its commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all members.
According to a report by 1News, FitGym came under scrutiny after a reviewer complained about its $59 joining fee, calling it "excessive", before adding that "too many women dressed like they're working in a strip club".
The review further stated: "Completely unnecessary and distracting walking around in skin-tight underwear", as quoted by 1News.
The controversy comes amid wider debate over women’s gym attire following comments by American comedian Shane Gillis on the US television show Saturday Night Live, where he compared women’s gym clothing to that worn by sex workers.
FitGym co-owner Bianca Simpson told RNZ that the review was disappointing, but the gym wanted to turn the negative experience into something positive.
"We just really had to push back; we don't really tolerate any comments or any behaviour like that in our gym," as quoted by 1News.
In response, the gym has announced that it will donate the $59 joining fees collected between November 2 and December 15 to Central Lakes Family Services.
Simpson said the review was particularly "shocking" to receive in 2026, given the gym’s emphasis on creating a welcoming atmosphere.
"We try to provide a very safe environment for women. We try and provide a very inclusive environment; we have a very good community at the gym, and we live in a beautiful town. Even though the town is growing, it's still a small community. So we were really shocked with the review", 1News has quoted.
She added that the gym felt it was important to respond promptly rather than allow the criticism to go unaddressed.
In its response to the review, FitGym defended members’ freedom to choose their workout clothing while making clear that inappropriate behaviour would not be tolerated.
"We're proud to be a safe space for women (and anyone) to wear what they're comfortable with and what makes them feel good during their workouts. It is 2026, we will not regulate the length of someone's shorts or the size of their sports bra. But we will regulate men making women feel uncomfortable for simply existing", as quoted by 1News.
Simpson said the response had received considerable support from women, both locally and beyond.
"A lot of women have thanked me and my team for standing up for all women, not just the women in Wānaka," she said.
The gym does maintain a basic dress code requiring members to wear shoes and shirts at all times, which Simpson described as "Nothing out of the ordinary", 1News has quoted.
She also said she had not seen the reviewer since the post appeared online and added, "I don't think we'll see their face anytime soon", as quoted by 1News.