Teen Told to Cover Up ‘Revealing’ Top Offered Lifetime Membership at Competing Gym

A Michigan teen who was told that her tank top was making others working out at a Planet Fitness gym uncomfortable has an open invitation to join the Powerhouse Gym in Clinton Township.

Planet Fitness, which is near Allison Roth’s home in Waterford Township, advertises itself as a “judgement free zone.” So the 17-year-old was surprised when she was told to cover up her tank top, which provided enough coverage that it passed the “mom” test, or leave, WJBK, the FOX affiliate in Detroit, reports. Roth’s grandmother even bought the shirt, her mom said.

Roth not only left, she cancelled her membership.

The story caused quite a dustup for the gym, generating nearly 1,750 comments on the television station’s Facebook page.

Now, Powerhouse Gym owner Michael Bloomquist has offered Roth a lifetime membership allowing her to use the gym any time she wants.

“I truly believe in a judgment-free zone when you work out,” Bloomquist told the television station. “I don’t care if you’re 80 years old or 17 years old. You should be able to wear what you want and enjoy what you’re doing and reap the benefits of health and fitness.”

In an earlier story, Roth explained to FOX’s Andrea Isom that when she and her mother bought a membership to the gym, where she works out every day to train for lacrosse, and no one mentioned a dress code.

Some of the gym members Isom interviewed confirmed the dress code that prohibited wearing too much skin, while others said it was news to them.

Planet Fitness issued a corporate statement saying that individual franchisees who own and operate local gyms. “We have been made aware of this incident and we are looking into the situation,” the company said.