Crunch Fitness West Hollywood, technically located in the city of Los Angeles, has permanently closed its men’s steam room due to ongoing complaints of inappropriate sexual conduct. The general manager was seen posting a sign this morning announcing that the “Steam Room is Permanently Closed.” The sign directs members to speak to the front desk if they have any questions.

Crunch Fitness West Hollywood drew media attention in late January after posting a sign stating: “The steam room in the men’s locker room is temporarily closed. This is due to inappropriate conduct by members. Reopening is under review and will be determined the week of January 27, 2025.”

On January 31, an updated sign was posted stating that a reopening date had not yet been determined.

After being closed for nearly two weeks, the steam room reopened on Monday, February 3.

According to members, management was pressured to reopen the facility after some threatened to cancel their memberships and requested discounts, arguing that the steam room was a major selling point and one of the main reasons they joined.

A new sign went up last week warning, “Inappropriate behavior will result in your membership being terminated. 100%. End of Story. Full stop.”

Sean Renzetti, a manager at Crunch WeHo, declined to make a formal statement. However, he posted a comment on social media stating, “Being the manager at Crunch, yes, if you are participating in sexual activity in our public space, which is illegal (I am gay, so let’s not make it OK because it’s a ‘gay thing’), I will terminate your membership immediately. Thanks for understanding.”

Thompson, the founder of a health retreat called Authenticity, pointed out a perceived double standard, stating that similar activity occurs in the men’s shower area and questioning why the steam room was treated differently. According to Thompson, management responded that showers were necessary for hygiene and that the gym was required to provide members with access to them.

He also argued that the closure diminished the value of his membership, explaining that he specifically signed up for access to the steam room, which he uses after yoga, stretching, and cardio. “I signed up for this gym because of their steam room and have not been able to use it for a week. I’m now not getting what I paid for,” he said.

This is not the first time the gym has taken action over steam room misconduct. In January 2022, Crunch posted a similar sign warning members against engaging in sexual activity in the men’s locker room, humorously urging them to choose “literally anywhere else.”

Attempts to reach Crunch Fitness’ corporate office for a statement have been unsuccessful as of the posting of this piece.

– Advertisement –