A man in Hangzhou, China, has been banned for life from his local gym after his persistent body odour led to numerous complaints from other customers, forcing management to revoke his membership despite him paying nearly £1,000 upfront.
Weight Loss Journey Cut Short
The man, identified only as Shi, had successfully lost weight from 125kg to 80kg through his gym sessions. However, his heavy sweating and strong smell became a major issue for other gym-goers, who avoided machines he used and kept their distance during workouts.
Despite Shi's three-year membership running until April 2028, the gym decided to permanently bar him. A statement from the gym, reported by the South China Morning Post, said: "We thought it through carefully for a long time before making this decision. We will refund your money for the remaining time of your membership period. We are already under pressure to do business amid the economic downturn and we are trying to treat each customer well. But many customers repeatedly complained to us that the strong odour in the gym had affected them. So we have to end your membership."
Failed Attempts to Accommodate
Before issuing the ban, the gym tried several measures to accommodate Shi, including cordoning off a dedicated area for him and scheduling his workouts during off-peak hours. These efforts failed to resolve the complaints, leading to the permanent ban.
Shi received a partial refund of 3,888 yuan (approximately £430) for the unused portion of his membership. He was also offered a three-month membership at a different gym, though he noted it was farther from his home. Shi told Zhejiang TV that he had started bringing towels to wipe sweat, but it was not enough to mitigate the odour.
Impact and Aftermath
The incident highlights the challenges gyms face in balancing customer satisfaction with individual needs. Shi's case has drawn attention to hygiene standards in public fitness facilities. Despite his weight loss success, the social consequences of his body odour have overshadowed his achievements, leaving him without a convenient place to continue his fitness journey.
