Women said we were genuine tonight.

Well said, Bags, I agree.

With the points made in both your posts.

By which I'm agreeing that it is a great shame that some women don't get the chance to get much exercise because of the culture of their families. I'm not sure it is a good idea to encourage that kind of attitude to continue. I'm really not sure positive discrimination is a good idea, though I know there are strong arguments in favour of it sometimes.

Thanks, ana. Felt a bit scared posting as I did, but you can't dilute equality and still have equality.

As some of you know I am in Western Australia on a visit. In the local leisure centre there is an over 70s netball group. Includes one man. I am full of admiration. Netball is taken very seriously over here.

I have just been with Andie to get some milk.
I met a lady from one of the classes I go to and as there is spare room in that class she suggested we should have a bring your partners week.
I don't think it would work with other classes as they are almost full.

Frank

The political machinations and discrimination of these aerobic classes sound quite daunting.

I think I'll stick to walking. I can do that on my own, with the girls or in mixed company. And it's free!

Certain private clubs are still allowed to be single sex so I think it's OK for there to be women only (or men only if there's a demand) sessions in swimming pools, gyms, etc.

Some women do feel uncomfortable with men around (and not just Asian women) and I can't see the harm in having a small number of single sex sessions.

I personally wouldn't have a problem with mixed sex classes as I believe in equality. You can't pick and choose. I would expect, if I wanted to and was good enough, I should be able to join an exercise class that was predominately male.

Is Frank using a Council funded facility - if so there should not be any discrimination. If it's a private health club, then fair enough, they can run whatever they can make pay.

Sel if you lived in Manchester, actually you could pick and choose. If you are over 60 or under 16 and a Manchester resident, you can swim for free, subsidised by our council tax. This isn't discrimination, but part of a wider initiative to promote a healthy lifestyle for children and older people. The money to fund this used to come from central govt, but was part of the cuts.

Manchester run a swimming programme which offers unisex, female only or male only classes. They also offer mixed swimming, ladies only, under 5s, adults only and aqua natal. So there's something for everyone. They offer a similarly comprehensive array of fitness programmes.

I can't imagine telling someone in the the gym that he is "genuine" nor being personal enough to say that I would rather he was there than sitting down at home. There seem to be very odd women in your aerobics class HUNTERF.

Re-reading the OP, Frank didn't say any of the women had called him 'genuine'. That was his interpretation of their opinion of him and the other men after a discussion about the unwelcome attendance of a new member who seemed to have come to the class just to stare.

I can't believe this argument has been resurrected when it ran like The Mousetrap on its last airing.

Ana

I can't remember the exact wording but the women had complained about this new member.
A few of them came to the existing men and they said we were most welcome in the class.
Over the next couple of weeks women did approach me in the shopping centre and on the street to say I was most welcome as they could tell I was genuine.

Frank

Eloethan

The harm is men are expected to pay the same monthly membership fee as the ladies and the same council tax and to have a smaller selection of classes.

Frank

Not May Day - Ground Hog Day

Are we sure we have not missed a month and it is April Fools day ?