A routine workout that turned into a public warning
For many South Africans, the gym is meant to be a safe, energising escape. A place to reset after a long day and focus on well-being. That expectation was shattered for Unathi Nkayi, who recently took to social media to vent her frustration after what she described as a deeply unhygienic experience in a women’s change room at a well-known gym.
What started as a normal gym visit quickly became something she felt compelled to share publicly. Unathi did not mince her words. She expressed shock and disappointment at the state of the facilities, describing conditions that she believed fell far below acceptable standards, especially for a premium fitness space used daily by women.
Why this struck a nerve with South Africans
The reaction online was swift and loud. Many women echoed Unathi’s concerns, sharing similar stories of poorly maintained showers, dirty floors, and a general lack of care in female change rooms across different gyms. Others applauded her for using her platform to call out an issue that often gets dismissed or quietly tolerated.
In South Africa, gym memberships are not cheap, particularly at high-end facilities. That reality added fuel to the conversation. Social media users questioned how hygiene could slip when members are paying top-tier prices and trusting these spaces with their health and personal safety.
More than a celebrity rant
What made Unathi’s post resonate was that it touched on something bigger than a single bad experience. Change rooms are intimate spaces. They are used by women of all ages and backgrounds, and poor hygiene is not just unpleasant; it can pose real health risks.
Dermatologists and health experts have long warned that damp, dirty communal areas can contribute to skin infections and other avoidable issues. While gyms promote wellness, lapses in cleanliness undermine that message entirely.
Unathi’s frustration also highlighted a familiar power imbalance. Many gym members complain privately or cancel memberships quietly. Few feel heard. A public figure speaking out shifts that dynamic and forces accountability into the open.
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A reminder gyms cannot ignore
The gym in question has not publicly responded in detail at the time of writing, but the pressure is clear. In a country where word of mouth and online opinion travel fast, hygiene is no longer a behind-the-scenes issue. It is a brand reputation risk.
For gym owners and managers, the takeaway is simple. Clean facilities are not a luxury or a bonus feature. They are the bare minimum. For members, Unathi’s experience has encouraged many to speak up, document issues, and demand better.
Sometimes it takes one uncomfortable moment and one very public voice to remind everyone that wellness starts with basic standards. And South African women are clearly done accepting anything less.
Source: Briefly News
Featured Image: Mgosi
