Planet Fitness kicks out Muslim woman for wearing head scarf

24

Replies

  • redheaddee
    redheaddee Posts: 2,005 Member
    It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.
    We are Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

    Except frack that.
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    That's ridiculous. The article states that " McDaniel says she’s gone to another Planet Fitness in her area a number of times with her colorful head scarf on and never had a problem. " Then why are they booting her now?

    Because arbitrary location by location crap where they have the leeway to make things up on the fly

    Except for the fact that that location broke a coorporate rule and will result in the lady winning that lawsuit.

    I agree. I'm not agreeing with the rule, and this woman is probably going to win her suit, just stating how this happened. They have 'rules' but then they bend and change them from location to location.
  • HedgeHugs
    HedgeHugs Posts: 80
    That's ridiculous. The article states that " McDaniel says she’s gone to another Planet Fitness in her area a number of times with her colorful head scarf on and never had a problem. " Then why are they booting her now?

    Because arbitrary location by location crap where they have the leeway to make things up on the fly

    Except for the fact that that location broke a coorporate rule and will result in the lady winning that lawsuit.

    I agree. I'm not agreeing with the rule, and this woman is probably going to win her suit, just stating how this happened. They have 'rules' but then they bend and change them from location to location.

    Exactly.
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    It is in fact "Judgement free zone". Because if you follow "their standards" you won't be judged. I agree their rules look weird, but that's how they built their identity. If you sign up then you gotta accept and comply to their rules.

    Except at another location, they were perfectly fine with it. And surely she was wearing it when she signed up and they didn't say a thing then. Now it's not accepted?
    Normally she shouldn't have been accepted at any location (Staff problem alert)
    I wore a headband once and I would've been kicked out if I refused the advice given by the staff member to follow the rules (which I believe should be in the paper when you sign up)
    I'm fine with anything as long as they're transparent with me from the beginning.

    I agree with you...but the bill of rights trumps contract law. Even if both parties agreed to a dress code which bans any/all religious clothing...a lawsuit can still be filed and won if access is denied due to religious reasons. In this case, supposedly she replied to the employee and said "I am muslim". Can't turn her away after that.

    Is it a safety issue? I mean, are they worried the head scarf would get caught on equipment, etc, because that seems to be a concern that has merit. ANY loose fitted clothing could conceivably be banned I suppose... Just a thought.

    Also, to the person who said she may have been wearing it when she signed up... SO what. I could sign up in go-go boots and wouldn't expect the staff to automatically assume I plan to wear them to work out....

    The woman states she told the staff she was Muslim. Do you think she showed up in her headscarf, signed up, mentioned she was Muslim, and no one thought "gee, I wonder if she's one of those Muslims who follows the edict to keep their hair covered?"

    Either way the rules allow for religious items to be worn. So. /shrug
  • thatismesammyg
    thatismesammyg Posts: 71 Member
    Planet Fitness is like the Stepford Wife of gyms apparently. I'm so glad we don't have those around here.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I know this is off of the main topic, but why can't someone wear a headband to the gym. I wear a headband everytime I work out and dance and lots of other times as well. Even in my profile pic. That's how I keep my hair out of my face. It's not quite long enough for a ponytail, sometimes ponytails bother me on my head, and when I have a ponytail it's not comfortable for exercises that have me on my back such as in yoga and dance.
  • TitanGM
    TitanGM Posts: 1,161 Member
    I know this is off of the main topic, but why can't someone wear a headband to the gym. I wear a headband everytime I work out and dance and lots of other times as well. Even in my profile pic. That's how I keep my hair out of my face. It's not quite long enough for a ponytail, sometimes ponytails bother me on my head, and when I have a ponytail it's not comfortable for exercises that have me on my back such as in yoga and dance.

    One guy from the staff explained me that the headband would make me look like an athlete, thus intimidate people. I don't know whether I should laugh or cry, or both to that statement, but that's what he told me.
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    I know this is off of the main topic, but why can't someone wear a headband to the gym. I wear a headband everytime I work out and dance and lots of other times as well. Even in my profile pic. That's how I keep my hair out of my face. It's not quite long enough for a ponytail, sometimes ponytails bother me on my head, and when I have a ponytail it's not comfortable for exercises that have me on my back such as in yoga and dance.

    The really funny part is...PF sells headbands. I wonder if they kick you out if you're wearing one of their headbands? Which I'm sure meet some manner of standards that non-PF ones don't meet.

    3_123301_161175_W7000-White-Text-L.png

    3_27169_43809_PF-headband_586x529.jpg
  • HedgeHugs
    HedgeHugs Posts: 80
    I know this is off of the main topic, but why can't someone wear a headband to the gym. I wear a headband everytime I work out and dance and lots of other times as well. Even in my profile pic. That's how I keep my hair out of my face. It's not quite long enough for a ponytail, sometimes ponytails bother me on my head, and when I have a ponytail it's not comfortable for exercises that have me on my back such as in yoga and dance.

    The really funny part is...PF sells headbands. I wonder if they kick you out if you're wearing one of their headbands? Which I'm sure meet some manner of standards that non-PF ones don't meet.

    3_123301_161175_W7000-White-Text-L.png

    3_27169_43809_PF-headband_586x529.jpg

    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    Wow and Lol to all of this!
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    I think the dress code is for health and safety reasons; a scarf could get tangled in the equipment and strangle the person. Also bandannas are used for gang affiliation which would intimidate some people. It is the only gym I can afford, so I follow the rules and mind my own business. P.S. The scarves retain sweat and create a "stank"


    So do your freakin' underwear, seriously? I'm sure she washes it. And there's a HUGE difference between a head scarf worn for religious reasons and a bandana worn for gang affiliation. Discrimination against a person for religious reasons is illegal in this country, btw.
  • abble_pie
    abble_pie Posts: 144 Member
    This place sounds like a first class DUMP
  • HedgeHugs
    HedgeHugs Posts: 80
    I think the dress code is for health and safety reasons; a scarf could get tangled in the equipment and strangle the person. Also bandannas are used for gang affiliation which would intimidate some people. It is the only gym I can afford, so I follow the rules and mind my own business. P.S. The scarves retain sweat and create a "stank"


    So do your freakin' underwear, seriously? I'm sure she washes it. And there's a HUGE difference between a head scarf worn for religious reasons and a bandana worn for gang affiliation. Discrimination against a person for religious reasons is illegal in this country, btw.


    Hahaha I just pictured someone with their underwear stuck in the exercise equipment.
  • SmartAlec03211988
    SmartAlec03211988 Posts: 1,896 Member
    The things I hear about this dump... holy crap. I wonder what would happen if *I* joined. I'm in a wheelchair. Would the fact that my abilities are better than a lot of able-bodied people be "intimidation" and get me kicked out?
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I know this is off of the main topic, but why can't someone wear a headband to the gym. I wear a headband everytime I work out and dance and lots of other times as well. Even in my profile pic. That's how I keep my hair out of my face. It's not quite long enough for a ponytail, sometimes ponytails bother me on my head, and when I have a ponytail it's not comfortable for exercises that have me on my back such as in yoga and dance.

    The really funny part is...PF sells headbands. I wonder if they kick you out if you're wearing one of their headbands? Which I'm sure meet some manner of standards that non-PF ones don't meet.

    3_123301_161175_W7000-White-Text-L.png

    3_27169_43809_PF-headband_586x529.jpg

    It's ok because they say no gymtimidation on them, so everyone knows you aren't trying to intimidate them with your super athletic headband or gang headband. So as long as the head band says that you aren't trying to intimidate anyone it's ok. I know I look really intimidating with my headband on. I kind of look like a cross between a librarian or school girl and someone from a Jane Fonda 80's video. So intimidating.
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    I know this is off of the main topic, but why can't someone wear a headband to the gym. I wear a headband everytime I work out and dance and lots of other times as well. Even in my profile pic. That's how I keep my hair out of my face. It's not quite long enough for a ponytail, sometimes ponytails bother me on my head, and when I have a ponytail it's not comfortable for exercises that have me on my back such as in yoga and dance.

    Headband in your avatar??? :angry: reported!



    :laugh:


    I remember becoming irritated at work when someone called in and started speaking in Spanish. When I put the phone on mute, and :grumble: , my coworker said "We took her check written in Spanish,:angry: didn't we!!??" Then she offered to interpret for me until I could get the Watts line.

    We can only assume the woman was a Muslim when she signed up. They took her money with her in her hijab.

    As for the lawsuit?:huh: If she went to management and they told her she could never come in the gym in her religious garb, then I could see getting the courts involved. For me, I am truly sick of everything being a way to sue someone :ohwell: /shrugs but that is my issue I suppose
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I know this is off of the main topic, but why can't someone wear a headband to the gym. I wear a headband everytime I work out and dance and lots of other times as well. Even in my profile pic. That's how I keep my hair out of my face. It's not quite long enough for a ponytail, sometimes ponytails bother me on my head, and when I have a ponytail it's not comfortable for exercises that have me on my back such as in yoga and dance.

    Headband in your avatar??? :angry: reported!



    :laugh:

    Uh oh! :frown:

    :wink: :flowerforyou:
  • MBrothers22
    MBrothers22 Posts: 323 Member
    You'd be silly to think all PF are like this. And quite frankly it's pretty childish to bad mouth a gym just because of its philosophy. People go there to get in shape and don't need to be annoyed by a bunch of grunters. If you're one of those people and used to go to a PF you're the only one at fault for being dumb enough to not realize their rules.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    You'd be silly to think all PF are like this. And quite frankly it's pretty childish to bad mouth a gym just because of its philosophy. People go there to get in shape and don't need to be annoyed by a bunch of grunters. If you're one of those people and used to go to a PF you're the only one at fault for being dumb enough to not realize their rules.

    What if you join the gym with a ponytail and think you will always be happy with a ponytail, but then 6 months in, you get a haircut and then discover the ease and comfort of headbands?
  • Sharkington
    Sharkington Posts: 485
    What is wrong with this place? I honestly didn't know anything about this chain (other than the lunk alarm, or whatever it is) until the recent news stories about it. This place seriously seems like an ongoing SNL skit. I would never want to work out at a place like this.

    Do they really not allow you to wear headbands, or am I missing a joke? :noway:
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    You'd be silly to think all PF are like this. And quite frankly it's pretty childish to bad mouth a gym just because of its philosophy. People go there to get in shape and don't need to be annoyed by a bunch of grunters. If you're one of those people and used to go to a PF you're the only one at fault for being dumb enough to not realize their rules.

    I find the fact that you think people exerting themselves enough to not remain perfectly silent while working out to be annoying to be...kind of disturbing.

    Also, just so we're clear, headbands are also annoying? And skinny strapped tank tops? And that's why they're banned?
  • TitanGM
    TitanGM Posts: 1,161 Member
    What is wrong with this place? I honestly didn't know anything about this chain (other than the lunk alarm, or whatever it is) until the recent news stories about it. This place seriously seems like an ongoing SNL skit. I would never want to work out at a place like this.

    Do they really not allow you to wear headbands, or am I missing a joke? :noway:

    Apparently it wasn't a joke when they asked me to take off my headband.
  • MBrothers22
    MBrothers22 Posts: 323 Member
    You'd be silly to think all PF are like this. And quite frankly it's pretty childish to bad mouth a gym just because of its philosophy. People go there to get in shape and don't need to be annoyed by a bunch of grunters. If you're one of those people and used to go to a PF you're the only one at fault for being dumb enough to not realize their rules.

    What if you join the gym with a ponytail and think you will always be happy with a ponytail, but then 6 months in, you get a haircut and then discover the ease and comfort of headbands?

    I see women wearing headbands all the time along with religious head wear like this lady at my PF. Don't see the point for guys wearing headbands though. Maybe I just don't sweat a lot from my head but they seem unnecessary to me.
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    What is wrong with this place? I honestly didn't know anything about this chain (other than the lunk alarm, or whatever it is) until the recent news stories about it. This place seriously seems like an ongoing SNL skit. I would never want to work out at a place like this.

    Do they really not allow you to wear headbands, or am I missing a joke? :noway:

    http://runningwithmickey.com/tag/planet-fitness-code/

    http://biggestlittle.blogspot.com/2008/01/few-proud-headbands.html
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    You'd be silly to think all PF are like this. And quite frankly it's pretty childish to bad mouth a gym just because of its philosophy. People go there to get in shape and don't need to be annoyed by a bunch of grunters. If you're one of those people and used to go to a PF you're the only one at fault for being dumb enough to not realize their rules.

    What if you join the gym with a ponytail and think you will always be happy with a ponytail, but then 6 months in, you get a haircut and then discover the ease and comfort of headbands?

    I see women wearing headbands all the time along with religious head wear like this lady at my PF. Don't see the point for guys wearing headbands though. Maybe I just don't sweat a lot from my head but they seem unnecessary to me.

    Guys like to keep their sweaty hair off their face also.
  • TitanGM
    TitanGM Posts: 1,161 Member
    You'd be silly to think all PF are like this. And quite frankly it's pretty childish to bad mouth a gym just because of its philosophy. People go there to get in shape and don't need to be annoyed by a bunch of grunters. If you're one of those people and used to go to a PF you're the only one at fault for being dumb enough to not realize their rules.

    What if you join the gym with a ponytail and think you will always be happy with a ponytail, but then 6 months in, you get a haircut and then discover the ease and comfort of headbands?

    Don't see the point for guys wearing headbands though.

    Some guys sweat a lot. The sweat goes down to your eyes. The headband is the solution. What's so difficult to understand here?
  • MBrothers22
    MBrothers22 Posts: 323 Member
    You'd be silly to think all PF are like this. And quite frankly it's pretty childish to bad mouth a gym just because of its philosophy. People go there to get in shape and don't need to be annoyed by a bunch of grunters. If you're one of those people and used to go to a PF you're the only one at fault for being dumb enough to not realize their rules.

    I find the fact that you think people exerting themselves enough to not remain perfectly silent while working out to be annoying to be...kind of disturbing.

    Also, just so we're clear, headbands are also annoying? And skinny strapped tank tops? And that's why they're banned?

    There is no reason to grunt to the point to where it's audible for people on the other side of the gym. Zero. If you want the attention to be all on you, go to some meat head gym. As I already said- I see people with headbands all the time at PF so I don't really know how much truth there is to that. And I don't pay attention enough to skinny strapped tank tops... whatever that is. I certainly see people in tank tops
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    You'd be silly to think all PF are like this. And quite frankly it's pretty childish to bad mouth a gym just because of its philosophy. People go there to get in shape and don't need to be annoyed by a bunch of grunters. If you're one of those people and used to go to a PF you're the only one at fault for being dumb enough to not realize their rules.

    What if you join the gym with a ponytail and think you will always be happy with a ponytail, but then 6 months in, you get a haircut and then discover the ease and comfort of headbands?

    I see women wearing headbands all the time along with religious head wear like this lady at my PF. Don't see the point for guys wearing headbands though. Maybe I just don't sweat a lot from my head but they seem unnecessary to me.

    I see guys with sweat pouring down their faces all the time. Seems a headband would soak that up and keep it out of their eyes.
  • MBrothers22
    MBrothers22 Posts: 323 Member
    You'd be silly to think all PF are like this. And quite frankly it's pretty childish to bad mouth a gym just because of its philosophy. People go there to get in shape and don't need to be annoyed by a bunch of grunters. If you're one of those people and used to go to a PF you're the only one at fault for being dumb enough to not realize their rules.

    What if you join the gym with a ponytail and think you will always be happy with a ponytail, but then 6 months in, you get a haircut and then discover the ease and comfort of headbands?

    Don't see the point for guys wearing headbands though.

    Some guys sweat a lot. The sweat goes down to your eyes. The headband is the solution. What's so difficult to understand here?

    What's so difficult about reading my entire post?
  • SmartAlec03211988
    SmartAlec03211988 Posts: 1,896 Member
    You'd be silly to think all PF are like this. And quite frankly it's pretty childish to bad mouth a gym just because of its philosophy. People go there to get in shape and don't need to be annoyed by a bunch of grunters. If you're one of those people and used to go to a PF you're the only one at fault for being dumb enough to not realize their rules.

    What if you join the gym with a ponytail and think you will always be happy with a ponytail, but then 6 months in, you get a haircut and then discover the ease and comfort of headbands?

    Don't see the point for guys wearing headbands though.

    Some guys sweat a lot. The sweat goes down to your eyes. The headband is the solution. What's so difficult to understand here?
    This.

    I sweat a LOT from my forehead. If I don't wear a headband it gets into my eyes and stings like hell.
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