A GoodLife location in Ontario has been bombarded with negative reviews after converting its women-only gym into a co-ed facility with a women’s only section, that some customers are calling inadequate compared to the previous space.
The gym, located at 5010 Glen Erin Dr. in Mississauga, has left many long-time members, including one who spoke with blogTO named Sana, feeling frustrated and disappointed.
“I have been a member at this location, on and off, for over 20 years. As such, I feel compelled to voice my concerns about their decision to close the last remaining women’s-only gym space in the area, replacing it with a co-ed facility with an extremely small area for women’s-only workouts,” Sana said.
After a recent renovation, some customers say the women’s only section has been reduced to a space the size of a “walk-in closet,” with just a few cardio machines and a lack of comfort compared to the dedicated gym that existed before.
Since its grand opening, GoodLife has received multiple one-star reviews. One member noted that they were “pretty disappointed,” and thought that the new facility was going to be just for women.
“Visited the area with a friend and realized it’s now co-ed and for women… but the only difference is they reduced the area for women so much it just doesn’t make sense coming here anymore. For the price they are charging, I was okay coming here ONLY because it’s JUST for women. I wanted to come in and feel comfortable doing my workout and leave. Now it’s small, takes a long time to wait for equipment in the women-only area, and the comfort level just is not the same,” the review states.
Another reviewer expressed similar frustration saying they were “completely disappointed by the upgrade.”
“As someone who has been coming to this gym for the last two years, I felt so happy to have a safe and comfortable space to work out in. Instead, this space was reduced to no more than a walk-in closet. Two treadmills and a handful of machines in a cramped space seem forced and without thought,” the reviewer said.
Sana told blogTO how the gym had grown to be her “safe haven,” and a place where she felt comfortable focusing on her physical health.
“I’ve been a member since my high school years, continuing through university and adulthood. It was my home gym, a space where I could focus on my fitness in a supportive, welcoming environment,” she explained.
“The so-called women’s-only workout area is a fraction of what it used to be. The lighting is dim, the ventilation is poor, and the atmosphere feels more like a prison than a gym.”
“To add to the frustration, the women’s change rooms and locker areas are large and well-lit, highlighting how easily space could have been reallocated to create a more adequate workout area for women,” she said.
“The new gym’s design caters overwhelmingly to men, making it clear where the priorities lie. When I visit any co-ed GoodLife, it is always filled with men, and I feel uncomfortable being there alone. For many women, working out around men—especially performing exercises that involve floor work or vulnerable positions—is an uncomfortable, even degrading experience. This location’s layout seems to show that GoodLife has had no regard or representation for women, nor the demographics present in Mississauga.”
Sana said she reached out directly to GoodLife’s management to voice her concerns, and she claims she was met with a “dismissive” response.
“GoodLife Fitness has completely disregarded the needs of its women members, forcing us into inadequate spaces or driving us away entirely,” she added.
“This new club was designed to provide the best possible fitness experience to our entire community, which includes an extensive women’s workout section and for women group fitness studio separate from the co-ed areas—each space has direct access from the women’s changeroom,” Matthews said.
“We encourage anyone who is in the Mississauga area to explore the new space and share feedback with the club team on how we can continue to offer a best-in-class experience for all of our members.”
Still, for members like Sana, the new changes feel like a major setback for women’s comfort in fitness spaces.
“This situation is not just disappointing — it’s heartbreaking,” she said. “GoodLife needs to fix this— not just for those of us who have relied on these spaces for decades, but for all the women who deserve a safe and supportive environment to pursue their fitness goals.”
