I don't use a gym, so maybe I don't understand.

But, why not let women use the men's (or should I say shared) area, IF THEY WANT. And then provide a separate section for women who want to work out away from men.

Why should the women who are comfortable working out around males be forced to use the women's only section? What if a husband and wife want to go to the gym together?

Or am I just not really understanding the issue?