Gym Member Receives Refund Amid Concerns Over Persistent Body Odour Issues

Body Odour Complaints Lead to Unusual Gym Membership Termination

A gym in eastern China has found itself at the centre of an unusual controversy after asking a member not to return due to repeated complaints from other customers about his body odour. The gym, reportedly located in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, not only refunded a significant portion of his membership fee but also arranged a temporary membership at another fitness centre.

According to local media reports, the member, identified as Shi, had purchased a three-year membership worth US$940 in May 2025, giving him access to the gym until April 2028. Shi had reportedly made significant lifestyle changes, losing approximately 45 kilograms, reducing his weight from 125kg to 80kg, and becoming a regular fitness enthusiast.

However, little more than a year into his membership, Shi received a message from the gym informing him that his access was being terminated. The management said the decision followed numerous complaints from customers who claimed a strong body odour was affecting their experience at the facility. The gym reportedly spent considerable time discussing the issue with Shi before deciding to ask him to stop using the premises.