Concerns over privacy and overcrowding have prompted gyms in the UK to push back against fitness influencers who film themselves exercising, with some instituting bans on recording equipment, The Observer reported.
Representatives from several large gym chains in the UK highlighted the potential hazards associated with filming equipment and expressed worries about bullying and members recording others without their consent.
Erin Blakely, a fitness instructor with experience at multiple large gym establishments, emphasized the distracting nature of filming on the gym floor. “The distraction factor is significant,” she told The Observer. “There’s a tendency to concentrate more on getting the ideal footage than on the workout, which defeats the whole purpose of being in a fitness studio.”
To address these concerns, some UK gyms are implementing policies to tackle the issue head-on. One gym in London, for instance, has banned members from using tripods during weekends, while Virgin Active has introduced a rule allowing individuals to request the deletion of videos and images taken without consent. Fitness First requires anyone appearing in footage to give their consent beforehand.
PureGym, a major gym chain with over 500 locations across Europe, enforces strict rules regarding photography and videography on its premises. A spokesperson emphasized that gym rules prohibit the capture and dissemination of images without permission, both within the gym and on social media platforms.
The debate surrounding gym etiquette extends beyond the UK, with global discussions focusing on the filming of others’ workouts. Incidents such as a man being banned from a US gym for filming a woman without her knowledge underscore the importance of addressing this issue.
Social media platforms have also witnessed controversies related to gym behavior, with a fitness influencer apologizing earlier this year for posting a video depicting a man’s perceived inappropriate behavior at her gym.
TikToker Joey Swoll has emerged as a vocal advocate against misconduct in gyms, shedding light on instances where individuals feel threatened or unsafe due to the actions of others.
While acknowledging the necessity of new rules to safeguard privacy and safety, gymgoers expressed understanding for influencers who rely on filming workouts for content creation. Personal trainer James Dixon suggested that designated filming areas could offer a compromise, allowing individuals to avoid cameras if desired while maintaining balance within the gym environment.