Women-Only Workout Areas Deemed Discriminatory At CT Gyms: Report

CONNECTICUT — The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled this week that women-only workout areas in gyms violate the state's gender-based discrimination laws, NBC Connecticut and other media outlets reported.

The court's unanimous decision was in response to a case filed by two men against Stratford's Edge Fitness and Bloomfield's Club Fitness, both of which had women-only workout areas.

A lower court had sided with the gyms, but the state Supreme Court's decision overturned the lower court ruling.

Chief Justice Richard Robinson wrote the decision, arguing that allowing an exception in state discrimination laws for such areas in gyms could be used in a discriminatory fashion against women or others, according to NBC Connecticut.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups cheered the state Supreme Court's decision, because it reiterated the state's laws against gender-based discrimination.

"While we respect the court's decision, we remain proud to have offered the positive service of our women's only studios to our members," Edge Fitness said in a statement. "We listened to our members and fought this case on principal, and we believe in fighting for women's rights. At The Edge Fitness Clubs, we are committed to keeping our gyms a safe and stress-free place for women to work out."

Read the NBC Connecticut story.