Safety Violations Announced for Popular Gym's Exit System

A popular gym in New York City has been hit with several safety violations in regards to its controversial entrance and exit system.

Gyms across the country have developed all sorts of different systems when it comes to how members are entering and exiting the property. Most use a simple scan-in system with some type of key card or phone scan. Others have a more personal experience, requiring you to check-in at a front desk with an actual human. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some developed a face scan system, even going as far to check someone's temperature.

But a gym in New York City has developed a system that is controversial - and perhaps even dangerous. The system, which features plexiglass tubes and a phone scan, has officially been deemed unsafe by the New York City Fire Department.

PureGym, a gym chain with several locations in the New York City area, has locations across the Tri-State area, along with Maryland and Virginia. There are 47 locations in New York, seven in New Jersey, two in Virginia and one in Maryland.

The gym franchise started in the United Kingdom, before coming over to the United States.

"We’re committed to bringing high-quality, affordable gyms to everyone, everywhere. We do this by keeping our prices low, having flexible no commitment monthly memberships making it as easy to leave as it is to join, and opening our gyms night and day so you can workout at a time to suit you," the gym's official website reads.

But the gym has officially been hit with some violations by the New York City Fire Department this week.

PureGym's entrance/exit system deemed unsafe

The FDNY has inspected seven different PureGym locations in New York City. According to a report from HellGate, the gyms "failed to maintain means of egress free from obstructions or impediments" at four of the seven locations.

Members reportedly are required to scan a QR code to exit the gym through one of its plexiglass pods, or through a nearby accessibility door. You can get out by hitting an emergency button, but that shouldn't be the case.

People need to be exit the gyms without having to know that the emergency button exists.

"Our main concern with a lot of locations we've visited so far is that you need to scan a code or have specialized knowledge to get out, when you should just be able to leave," FDNY spokesperson Clare Bourke told Hell Gate.

The FDNY agrees: There is something fishy about the PureGym tubeshttps://t.co/V58LJMvb8g

— Christopher Robbins (@ChristRobbins) January 12, 2026

New York City gym-goers weigh in on the controversy

Those who have attended the gym - along with some that are just aware of it - have spoken out in reaction to the story.

"I understand scanning to enter but why are they requiring that to exit?!?" one user wrote.

"The FDNY needs to keep that same energy up for the MTA. You have to tap to open EMERGENCY EXIT DOORS at most stations now, which means anyone w/ wheels (strollers, chairs, carts, etc) can't exit w/o tapping," one added.

"Oh thank GOD," another added.

The New York City Fire Department began investigating the gym's exit system after receiving several complaints, according to the report.