It's hardcore: New gym opens for men only

Hardcore Gym had operated at Rockdale PCYC for 17 years but the youth organisation decided not to renew its lease late last year.

After months of negotiation, the gym will relocate to Carlton this week, but as a men's-only gym.

Hardcore Gym owner Frank Haddad said he decided to apply for a men's-only licence based on their clientele. "Our main clientele base is predominantly male," he said.

"When measuring it was 99 per cent men compared to 1 per cent women. We also took into consideration the input from our members who outstandingly preferred the atmosphere to be a male-only environment.

"When we look at the fitness industry we have a vast range of gyms which offer a female-only environment. There are no training facilities which cater for the male-only sector on a large scale."

The decision disappointed Angie Elphick, a former Lifestyle Fitness member, who was hoping to join the new gym but learned of the decision on its Facebook page.

"I was actually excited for them to open," she said. "When I heard back that they were opening as a men's-only gym I just found that they were really flippant and dismissive."

Hr Haddad said they would open a female-only section of the gym but did not yet have a timeframe.