Crunch Fitness West Hollywood has permanently closed its men’s steam room following ongoing complaints about inappropriate sexual conduct by members.
The announcement came this morning, when the general manager posted a sign reading: “Steam Room is Permanently Closed,” directing members to the front desk for further inquiries.
The gym, located in the city of Los Angeles, first attracted attention in late January when it posted a sign stating that the steam room was temporarily closed due to “inappropriate conduct” and that its reopening would be reviewed the week of January 27. By January 31, the sign was updated, noting that no reopening date had been set.
The steam room reopened on February 3 after being closed for nearly two weeks. However, the decision to resume service followed pressure from members who threatened to cancel their memberships and demanded discounts, claiming the steam room was a key feature that led them to join the gym.
“We do not tolerate inappropriate behavior in our facility, and we will enforce our policy,” stated a sign posted at the gym warning that anyone caught engaging in sexual activity would face immediate membership termination.
Sean Renzetti, the manager of Crunch West Hollywood, did not provide a formal statement, but he addressed the issue on social media, saying, “If you are participating in sexual activity in our public space, which is illegal, I will terminate your membership immediately. I am gay, so let’s not make it OK because it’s a ‘gay thing.’”
The closure has sparked criticism from members, particularly those who viewed the steam room as an essential part of their gym experience. Jason Thompson, the founder of a health retreat called Authenticity, expressed concerns over a perceived double standard, pointing out that similar inappropriate behavior occurs in the men’s shower area but has not been treated the same way.
Thompson said gym management had responded by explaining that the showers were required for hygiene purposes and were a necessary facility for members. He also noted that the closure impacted the value of his membership, as he had specifically joined the gym for access to the steam room, which he regularly used 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,” Thompson said.
This isn’t the first time Crunch Fitness West Hollywood has addressed inappropriate behavior in its steam room. In January 2022, the gym posted a similar warning in the men’s locker room, humorously telling members to choose “literally anywhere else” for sexual activity.
As of the time of publication, Crunch Fitness’ corporate office has not responded to requests for comment on the closure or its policies.
The gym’s handling of the steam room issue has raised questions about how such spaces are managed in gyms that cater to diverse communities. Despite these challenges, Crunch Fitness continues to operate in the highly competitive Los Angeles fitness market.
