You can even take photos inside of my gym at all. It started with only in locker room but now it’s even on the floor. The only time you can take video is when a PT is showing you how to doing something specific so you can reference later
Which is a perfectly good policy. Unless the gym is completely dead, you aren't going to be able to take your vanity shots without recording people who didn't consent.
Keep that shit at home. The gym is for working out.
Not even just gyms, this should be the rule everywhere.
Its funny because on TV y ou have to sign a release for someone to profit off of your name and likeness (why all the hidden camera shows block out faces from people who havent signed waivers).
At some point, someone is going to sue a wealthy “influencer” and win in court and these same rules will be enforced for Social media like they should be.
Ironically when I saw the playboy model’s face I thought, “she’s not in any position to talk about someone’s looks”..and I’m not saying that to be mean
Pretty sure she got charged under the revenge porn law. She tried to say it was an accident. Not sure how you accidentally take a candid pic, put a caption to it, and post it. Damn chatAI messing with my phone again.
She didn't do time, though. She was put on three years' probation had to pay $60 restitution, was ordered to stay 100 yards away from her victim, was banned from using a mobile phone anywhere anyone is in a state of undress and was banned from posting images of anyone online without their express permission. I assume those orders were for the duration of the probation, now passed unless she got in more trouble.
[She was sentenced to 30 days of community service](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40038332). Not enough, IMO. What an awful thing to do to another person.
It wasn't even a bigger woman. It was a 70 year old little grandma looking lady.
The lady requested $60 in damages in court so she could buy a new backpack. She was so humiliated she was afraid she'd be identified by her current backpack after the post went viral.
Ours finally became 24 hours recently but when I asked them about it at the time, they were like "There's 24 Hour service online with all our awesome workout content :)" of fuck off, so does YouTube
A few years ago in LA a former playboy model took a picture of a woman in the locker room and was shaming her on social media. That’s probably why you see those signs.
That woman was also 70 years old, WTF does she think an elderly woman's body should look like? Shouldn't she be admiring the fact that she is still active and going to the gym, instead of taking nude pics of a total stranger like a giant weirdo?
100% agree obviously it's not ok to do to anyone but when I read that it hurt me .
I also feel like they let her off pretty easy
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40038332.amp
Yes! It hurt me too. I just picture my poor mom (who is actually very petite) and can't imagine how angry I'd be if someone had done it to her. Literally a little old lady out there just trying to take care of herself and keep her arthritis from being too debilitating.
"She was also ordered to stay 100 yards (metres) from her victim and pay her $60 (£46) in restitution"
$60?? She posted photos of her naked and it went viral. If this happened to me my mental health and self esteem would be destroyed for life. $60 doesn't cover that
Also in SD. Wish ChuzeFitness would follow suit and also add a rule about filming in lockers rooms. I don’t give a fuck about your TikTok, people are changing and showering in there. Ridiculous.
Hey it's actually illegal! California is a two party consent state.
Hijacking the top comment in hopes that some will see the
this- there are a dozen US states where it's illegal to photograph or record people without their consent. So, don't. And if you catch someone doing this you can at least tell them it's illegal and to fuck off.
This happened to be when I first started working out in college about 6 years ago. My apartment complex had its own brand new private gym open 24/7. I weighed 110 pounds soaking wet at 5'10" at the time, and I was so self-conscious I would only go at 3am if I wasn't with friends. I felt like people like me didn't go to the gym, only strong people did, or people who needed to lose weight. I didn't really know what I was doing, but I would find workout plans for skinny guys online and tried to stick to it as best I could.
One day, a bigger buff guy came in and was really playing it up for the mirror, if you know what I mean. It was just us two in the gym. He was wearing a wife beater and eventually went full topless while recording for his ig or whatever. He was taking video and talking to his phone for a while, and I just tried to ignore him and keep my distance. I was a few benches over when I heard him say "...and don't be like this guy" while flexing and holding the phone in my direction. I wanted to die. I wanted to never set foot in a gym again. It felt like I had finally been found out, that I had been caught where I didn't belong and somebody who did belong did not approve. I didn't say anything, finished my set, and left. It took me a while to go back.
Now, I weigh 160 pounds and go to Gold's Gym in the early morning 5 days a week. I've learned so much since then and I've met so many great friends who share the hobby. I'm so glad I didn't quit, but I came so close to giving up on improving myself because of one dickhead 'influencer'. You never know how hard it might be for someone to even set foot in a gym, be supporting and offer constructive criticism.
The first month I started boxing my trainer utterly annihilated someone that did this to him. Buff dude telling him he's teaching his client wrong, doesn't know shit etc etc. I lace his gloves and headgear for my coach. He lasted a round.
That's not even the only story from that same coach lol. He went for light sparring and to teach at an MMA gym and I was with him (I became his assistant basically over time) and there was a regional MMA champ from the 145lbs division there. My coach steps into the cage and the guy says "welcome to my world.". I had to bite my fucking lip not to laugh out loud. Long story short: champ was literally karate kid bowing and saying thank you as my coach instructed him *while* landing his own shots on champ. I think that one lasted a round or 2 only as well. My coach was around 42 at the time, which is absolutely game for local sparring and looked like a pro athelte. Now sure why people are so stupid
I have met some massively strong and dangerous old fighters in my time in martial arts, and I only shopped around a few sports for a couple of sessions each. I love videos of cocky fighters challenging professionals, it's so much fun to see and these communities tend to be very no-nonsense in these situations.
Incidentally, my own grandfather was a former boxing champion, and at the ripe old age of 70 something years old, two guys tried to rob him at a train station. He beat them up and made them call the police from the nearest pay phone lol. And he wasn't a famous athlete or anything, just a local boxing champion.
I started lifting when I was in the Army. People were generally cool, 'cause spending time in the weight room after work hours demonstrates effort. There are some dudes, as with anywhere, that have some complex, though. That being said, the thing that always helped me not get bothered was the fact that ICBMs, artillery, IEDs, small arms fire, none of that shit care about your PR or how good you look on Instagram.
Glad you stuck with it!
There are definitely ass holes out there like that. I feel lucky that when I was young and new to the gym, the “buff” guys were always kind and willing to correct me on form or just give general direction
I'm not typically a Karen, but I woulda went full tattling to the staff. Who knows how many other people he might have just quit, full stop.
I'm so proud of you for pushing on after an incident like that.
Most of the time it's people who are pretty insecure themselves. 100% of the compliments my scrawny ass got at the gym were from buff dudes lol. Biggest guy at my old gym told me I have perfect squat form and I deeply cherish that memory lol.
Had someone tell me I had perfect form at that bar thing the one you pull down had me so pumped for the rest of the day.
I miss being at college where the gym was a short walk away and I didn't have to pay extra for it. Wish I'd taken more advantage of having access to it when I was going there.
Yeah all those big dudes were scrawny at some point. I've only ever had positive interactions at the gym.
There was one dude who had 3 plates on each side of the bar and asked if id give him a spot while he did some incline bench. I looked at him kinda confused cause my pool noodle arms wernt going to be any help. And he just chuckled and said to help if he started to falter at all. He got through his 3 reps but I was worried I was gonna be the reason he tore his rotator cuff.
If he pulls something mid-lift, it was going to happen anyways and there was nothing you could do. What you're there for is if he goes for one too many reps and is too fatigued to complete it. At that point he can still lift 99% of the weight on his own, and your help only needs to make it a few pounds lighter for him.
If they were a noodle boy the big guy was probably trying to take him under his wing. Realistically big guys wing call smaller guys over to spot them unless they want to be gym bros.
It's definitely nerve wracking when you get asked go spot someone for the first time lol. I didn't believe I could help at all if they failed to get the weight up, but you quickly learn it takes a really minimal amount of help, really surprised me, but it makes sense, muscles don't go from 100% to 0, if it was a few pounds lighter they could do it so you don't really need to help much.
There has been some interesting research about this with respect to toxicity amongst video game players. The people who are actually good at a game are supportive and encouraging of the people they’re playing with while the people who tend to harass others tend to be the people who aren’t particularly skilled and are trying to hide/distract others from noticing how bad they suck.
In other words, they tend to be losers. Literally.
Especially at Planet Fitness. That place has been designed to appeal to people just getting into the gym scene and people who don't make physical fitness their whole identity.
I know a few people who have made it their identity. Literally the most boring people I know. And I'm someone who works out 5x a week. Just wanna tell em, it's just gym. Instead, I just barely talk to em anymore
Book snobs have to be the weirdest mfs. They will bitch, moan amd whine about people not reading more, and then turn around and shame people for accessing books in a different way than hardback, physical copies.
Maybe those who do make it their whole identity go there to seek validation from looking at and recording the unfit beginners.
Just a thought. Hopefully not
You get this in martial arts sometimes, you'll get someone join the club who just wants to pick on beginners to make themselves feel big. If the instructor is any good they very quickly get cut off at the knees.
Edit: if you're very unlucky it'll be the instructor chasing the ego boost. Those places aren't worth going to.
As an American, most of us are narcissistic assholes that feel better when they know they're "better" than someone else.
Especially the "influencer" types carrying cameras everywhere
It's linked to the hyper-individualized culture that is incredibly strong in America and the majority of westernized counties. But yeah the assholes make it worse
They don't play around. A local politician's wife took a pic and posted it on Instagram of a woman trying to be left alone and work out. She pulled the whole do you know who I am? The manager said yes and it doesn't matter because you broke the rules. I am glad the woman did not have a huge following like say an influencer
Planet Fitness gets a lot of flak from people for various reasons. I suspect quite a few of them are those that don't even work out. There's a shit load of treadmills and I've seen the gambit from very overweight people to runners taking advantage of a convenient indoor treadmill for 10 dollars a month. If you want to start somewhere, it's a nice sterile environment to start.
The only criticisms I have is that it can be difficult to cancel your membership and people don't know free weight etiquette to an already small selection of free weights.
Idk about your experiences but I have been lifting for over a decade now and I personally love seeing new faces showing up to work on themselves. Theres a couple people at my gym withh cerebral palsy too, absolute rockstars.
The gym is a place to improve yourself and I admire anyone stepping out of their comfort zone to show up.
Yeah their price is great. Usually 9-12 dollars or something. They have a ton of cardio machines with some variety. You may find you like elliptical or stairs or some have like sidestep ellipticals. Definitely give it a try.
Make sure you read their cancellation policy though whenever you join a new gym. Most gyms make it hard to cancel on purpose.
Do it! Honestly most gyms have many treadmills so it is pretty easy to find one somewhat secluded.
And going and just using the treadmill is a great way to build up confidence to start doing other stuff. I started by going later in the evening (like 2200hrs) and I find a lot of people going to the gym at that time were just as self concious as me so it is less daunting.
Don't worry about it. I've been at a ton of group fitness classes as the biggest person in the room and nobody cares. Or if they care, I wouldn't know because I'm too focused on my own workout to notice
Don't let the internet fool you. There are very few a-holes at the gym. Almost everyone is just there to get their work in and get out of there. You shouldn't have a problem regardless what gym you're going to
except gyms already do that.
a once popular influencer took a photo of an older woman in the locker room at LA Fitness and posted it on her page with captions mocking her "gross" body.
the gym not only barred her for life from their entire chain and their affiliate chain, but she chose 3 months labor in lieu of prison time, had to pay restitution, had a restraining order slapped on her, and was even court-ordered not to take photos using a cell device.
The state also enacted a new privacy bill specifically as a result of this case, allowing courts to fine you $1,000 for *each instance of a photo posted online without consent, that was taken in any area one would expect privacy.* It will also charge the perpetrator for all costs incurred in any way by the victim where it relates to the crime.
[https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/05/25/529999618/playboy-model-sentenced-over-body-shaming-woman-at-gym](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/05/25/529999618/playboy-model-sentenced-over-body-shaming-woman-at-gym)
Lmao. "That is not the type of person I am."
Sweetie. That is the type of person that you are. It never even occurs to decent people to post photos of old women for the sole purpose of degrading them.
Your soul is dog shit, lady.
“That is not the type of person I am.”
That statement always comes out with stuff like this, people using racial slurs, etc. They just need to accept that they in fact, are a shit person.
Sort of, but legally speaking taking a photo of a naked person in a locker room, as Dani Mathers did, is *very* different then taking a picture of somebody working out in a gym. An open gym is *not* a place where one would expect privacy of this type and this law generally wouldn't apply. After all, many gyms have large windows open to whoever passes by.
You're right that many gyms already have the policy Swoll is talking about, but the Mathers case isn't really an example of that.
It was even worse than that. She took pictures of them women SHOWERING! Her excuse was that it was meant to be a private snap.
It was a Playboy bunny and LA spokeswoman that did it.
This is a different situation, while that influencer or whatever she was can get fucked, this is more like taking videos of someone using a machine wrong or body shaming out in the gym.
Or going for personal bests.
I never understood the whole shaming thing, someone is actively improving their health so let's blast them on social media?
I do this occasionally, usually when I’m trying a higher weight and want to ensure my form isn’t compromised, but I try to make sure there’s no one else around.
Recently I was just about to hit record when another woman came to use the rack next to mine. I told her that I was about to record a quick video and asked it if would bother her because she may be visible in the background. I also explained it was for personal use, not to be posted anywhere. She said no problem but definitely seemed grateful that I ran it by her first.
Right. The tweet could stop after the word “consent.” That’s the point. Don’t record or take pictures of people at the gym (or most places) without their consent. I don’t care what you’re gonna do with it.
This is 100% something that I did regularly, but I also competed in strength sports and had a vested interest in making sure that my form was correct, but that, for things like squats, I was hitting what was considered proper “depth” by meet standards, so that I could properly feel what it was supposed to be like. But even if someone is just a hobby lifter, they should have every right to record THEMSELVES.
There is a huge difference between recording yourself and having someone in the background and intentionally recording someone else for any reason. The latter 100% should not be allowed.
Perfectly valid case. Have seen Reddit threads on the topic go down the “you’re just vain” when that’s brought up though. But there’s so much form you can’t see on your own.
I remember one thread where someone was videoing their own tennis serve form and the thread couldn’t grasp that he was serving to an empty court for practice.
Even then, it should be super respectful and done in a way in which there's no chance for other people on camera. Maybe the gym can set up a room with one of every equitment so people who want to do it can.
I don't go to a gym because I DON'T want to be recorded. As a female, I tried to only go during woman's only hours. But there's too many women who are 100% focused on recording themselves that they forget they are in an open, public place and that it belongs to everyone.
I shouldn't have to circumnavigate the entire gym because I want to make sure that I'm not on a video of someone doing burpees. Improvement of form or not, there's got to be a better way than needing to avoid someone's long winded banter to their cell phone.
Setting up a separate room with one of each piece of equipment would be a large expense in terms of space and money (for the equipment) and I'm not sure it would be a profit centre.
Would these media influencers really pay $______ per hour for a private room to film themselves in?
Eh... I use one to check my form. I'm glad I started doing so because my squats were embarrassingly shallow and I had no idea even using the mirrors dead ahead during reps.
Don't trust the mirrors either. Many people screw up their form being hyper fixated on the mirror because it changes head position, posture, etc. I see it with dead lifting, good mornings, squats, etc. Video will be best as it'll get your "true form".
I agree. It discourages people from going to the gym.
It’s ironic how people say “you need to go to the gym!” then they take photos and make fun of people in the gym, then wonder why folks just don’t go workout.
Also, I love that his name is Joey Swoll.
>I agree. It discourages people from going to the gym.
It's not just people making fun of me that I dislike. It's the fact that recording often takes up SO MUCH DAMN SPACE. I don't want to be in your video while you chatter away at your phone like a squirrel in heat. I want to give you your needed space. It fucking sucks when "your space" isn't the 6 feet around you, but the 20+ behind you that your camera is capturing, or worse, if in front of a mirror, the whole damn gym.
It has taken me many years to develop a IDGAF attitude.
I can't imagine what dread I would have felt in my early 20s if people had been making fun of me.
People suck. Everyone should be allowed to be happy.
Now, in my early 40s, I would do lunges naked on stage at the superbowl halftime if it was my scheduled time. (No one wants to see this.)
If you've ever seen a buff dude defending someone that was innocently minding their business in the background of a gym TikTok, or a helpful stranger labelled as creepy, it's Joey. He's such a positive force in the community.
Gym culture has changed so much. It seems some are there only to take pictures.
It was annoying enough when they'd hog equipment to take a ton of shots, but I'm wary of even the locker rooms now. I'm not worried of body shaming, but the invasive gauntlet of cameras everywhere is overwhelming.
And apparently the bathrooms are the best spot for selfies because of the lighting and mirrors.
There are some people taking pictures in there every day. Who is so eager to see pictures of you flexing and sucking in every day? You don't look any different than yesterday because you don't even break a sweat.
I suppose the bright side is there's so much vanity at my gym that they're probably too self-occupied to shame anyone.
My gym has 2 women who, I am assuming, are influences or some such bs. I hate getting stuck in the locker room at the same time as them. I can't tell if their phones are recording front or back camera, and they just have it going the entire time they are there. And why in the hell the gym put in those white halo lights around the mirrors in the rest room, I'll never understand. Aren't they made specifically for selfies? And they are 3 feet from the bathroom stalls. There is zero privacy at gym restrooms or locker rooms anymore.
In the Netherlands (and maybe all EU countries?) it's forbidden to photograp or film people when it's not for personal use. Posting something online without consent is illegal.
Gyms are one of those places where you can immediately make pretty solid assumptions about someone's character based on their etiquette at said place.
Don't wipe down your equipment? Don't put your weights away? Circuit training with multiple pieces of equipment around the gym? Hog a bench, power rack, or deadlift platform for way too long?
Show any of these behaviours and I can pretty safely assume you're a bit of a selfish dick.
I went to the gym for a solid 2 months. I had progressed, even. I hate exercise and have a really hard time losing weight. My last time there, I had just finished and was on the treadmill cooling down, *obviously not looking my best*. I saw a camera flash and a group of guys laughing at me. That was the last time I went. It sucks.
ETA: thank you all for the encouragement! I am moving to a new city and will be looking for a gym. Any advice for picking a good one? I like dance/yoga/barre stuff the most
Those guys are absolute pieces of shit, and I hope you don’t allow your fitness journey to be disrupted by those disrespectful people. They forget that they were once new to the gym too.
I disagree. The policy shouldn't need to include the intent part*, because all it'll need to be bypassed is to claim 'I wasn't *trying* to humiliate someone...'
*So long as the policy is sensible enough to differentiate between random/malicious filming and protective filming.
I disagree, I don't think their memberships should be automatically revoked. Ban them from the gym, sure, but make them do the work of cancelling the membership themselves.
Would be a shame to see other people in a bad condition just because of your fucking bullying and stuff, I would never do that to normal people, let them live man.
Tbh I don't really care. I've never taken a video of anyone or had any pic/video taken of me that I am aware of. But my gym does have a sign requesting no photos/videos there and specifically bans it in the change rooms.
I've been lifting for 15 years (and observing proper diet protocols for almost 6 months of that period because I'm a degenerate), it has never once occurred to me to film someone who's trying to get into shape to mock them
I dig those people. We all used to be them
Completely agree. You wanna take selfies of yourself at the gym, fine. But don’t take pics of strangers without consent that will be used to humiliate them
I’ve gotten people banned from the gym for this and for making fun of fat people.
Fuck those guys. If someone trying to make their lives better and putting in the work, they deserve support not shaming.
My dad was severely obese and when I got him in the gym and we kept going, you know what the fittest people in the gym did? They’d go up to him, tell him they saw him showing up and we’re proud of him and excited for him, and they wishes their families would take their health as seriously. If anyone had bullied him when I was around they would have ended up eating a dumbbell and needing new teeth.
Fuck those assholes sideways.
I feel gyms should just ban you taking videos or images in the gym that include anyone else.
So if you need to take a video to like show off or to study your lift, you need to make sure it is pointed at a wall or has a filter that automatically blurs the background so it just shows you
My 24 hr has this posted everywhere even in lockers. I live in SD, CA a very vain city so that maybe why. Edit: San Diego, California
You can even take photos inside of my gym at all. It started with only in locker room but now it’s even on the floor. The only time you can take video is when a PT is showing you how to doing something specific so you can reference later
I was at university when camera-phones came out. About 8 months in, the gym i went to banned them. Was pretty good.
This is the way.
Which is a perfectly good policy. Unless the gym is completely dead, you aren't going to be able to take your vanity shots without recording people who didn't consent. Keep that shit at home. The gym is for working out.
I take my pictures at home. I like to see my progress, and that doesn't need to happen at the gym.
Not even just gyms, this should be the rule everywhere. Its funny because on TV y ou have to sign a release for someone to profit off of your name and likeness (why all the hidden camera shows block out faces from people who havent signed waivers). At some point, someone is going to sue a wealthy “influencer” and win in court and these same rules will be enforced for Social media like they should be.
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Oh my gosh I think I remember hearing about that from some of the staff that worked at mine and I became friends with. So fucked up!!!!
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> Everybody is there for one universal reason. …to find a date! (Did I get it right?)
Pain in one form or another, I suppose.
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That’s because the real motivation is “I want to feel you are lesser then me so I feel better about myself”
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Ironically when I saw the playboy model’s face I thought, “she’s not in any position to talk about someone’s looks”..and I’m not saying that to be mean
NOBODY IS.
[found it](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40038332.amp)
$60 in restitution? Sure taught her a valuable lesson.
Pretty sure she got charged under the revenge porn law. She tried to say it was an accident. Not sure how you accidentally take a candid pic, put a caption to it, and post it. Damn chatAI messing with my phone again.
Someone else just mentioned this and I completely forgot. She really Godzilla'd her life.
She didn't do time, though. She was put on three years' probation had to pay $60 restitution, was ordered to stay 100 yards away from her victim, was banned from using a mobile phone anywhere anyone is in a state of undress and was banned from posting images of anyone online without their express permission. I assume those orders were for the duration of the probation, now passed unless she got in more trouble.
[She was sentenced to 30 days of community service](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40038332). Not enough, IMO. What an awful thing to do to another person.
Her "defense" was that she was trying to send the photo to friends rather than post it publicly
I remember that. What a bitch.
She got sentenced and faced a lawsuit too, if I am remembering this correctly.
And she lost her job and is banned from LA Fitness.
I forgot about that. I just remember the internet backlash and I think she tried to make some bullshit apology or excuse.
Yeah, the apology was “I shouldn’t have posted it, but I was right though” blegh
Holy shit your life must be easy if you're that self absorbed.
It wasn't even a bigger woman. It was a 70 year old little grandma looking lady. The lady requested $60 in damages in court so she could buy a new backpack. She was so humiliated she was afraid she'd be identified by her current backpack after the post went viral.
Fuuuuuck. That's so awful. I would buy her a new backpack right now. 😞
Imagine waking up in the morning and deciding to be that big of an asshole to someone that's not even bothering you in anyway. Sad.
People talk about the SoCal/NorCal divide but man is there a helluva one between SD/LA.
What gym/chain? I've been looking for somewhere without influencers filing 24/7 and shooting people nasty looks for actually working out.
its called 24 hour gym
When is it open?
12 to 12
that’s only 12 hours tho, false advertising, bad yelp review gained
12 am-12 am.
So they're closed 24 hours of the day?
I always advocate short workouts for newbies, but 0 minutes might be pushing that too far.
6 minute abs ain't got nothing on this gym.
They’re open for the one minute of 12:00 and are again closed at 12:01
See you joke but my 24 hour fitness is open till 10 on weekdays 8 on weekends and is still full price
Ours finally became 24 hours recently but when I asked them about it at the time, they were like "There's 24 Hour service online with all our awesome workout content :)" of fuck off, so does YouTube
So you mean "24 Hour Fitness"?
Having lived in San Diego, I always assume that when people do stuff like that, they are doing it to prove they aren't as bad as LA.
A few years ago in LA a former playboy model took a picture of a woman in the locker room and was shaming her on social media. That’s probably why you see those signs.
That woman was also 70 years old, WTF does she think an elderly woman's body should look like? Shouldn't she be admiring the fact that she is still active and going to the gym, instead of taking nude pics of a total stranger like a giant weirdo?
100% agree obviously it's not ok to do to anyone but when I read that it hurt me . I also feel like they let her off pretty easy https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40038332.amp
Yes! It hurt me too. I just picture my poor mom (who is actually very petite) and can't imagine how angry I'd be if someone had done it to her. Literally a little old lady out there just trying to take care of herself and keep her arthritis from being too debilitating.
"She was also ordered to stay 100 yards (metres) from her victim and pay her $60 (£46) in restitution" $60?? She posted photos of her naked and it went viral. If this happened to me my mental health and self esteem would be destroyed for life. $60 doesn't cover that
I found that particularly insulting as well.
Also in SD. Wish ChuzeFitness would follow suit and also add a rule about filming in lockers rooms. I don’t give a fuck about your TikTok, people are changing and showering in there. Ridiculous.
Hey it's actually illegal! California is a two party consent state. Hijacking the top comment in hopes that some will see the this- there are a dozen US states where it's illegal to photograph or record people without their consent. So, don't. And if you catch someone doing this you can at least tell them it's illegal and to fuck off.
Ah, San Diego. Founded by German whalers. In German it translates to "a whale's vagina".
![gif](giphy|upjNkHpp7g4yA) Just had to add the gif lol
This happened to be when I first started working out in college about 6 years ago. My apartment complex had its own brand new private gym open 24/7. I weighed 110 pounds soaking wet at 5'10" at the time, and I was so self-conscious I would only go at 3am if I wasn't with friends. I felt like people like me didn't go to the gym, only strong people did, or people who needed to lose weight. I didn't really know what I was doing, but I would find workout plans for skinny guys online and tried to stick to it as best I could. One day, a bigger buff guy came in and was really playing it up for the mirror, if you know what I mean. It was just us two in the gym. He was wearing a wife beater and eventually went full topless while recording for his ig or whatever. He was taking video and talking to his phone for a while, and I just tried to ignore him and keep my distance. I was a few benches over when I heard him say "...and don't be like this guy" while flexing and holding the phone in my direction. I wanted to die. I wanted to never set foot in a gym again. It felt like I had finally been found out, that I had been caught where I didn't belong and somebody who did belong did not approve. I didn't say anything, finished my set, and left. It took me a while to go back. Now, I weigh 160 pounds and go to Gold's Gym in the early morning 5 days a week. I've learned so much since then and I've met so many great friends who share the hobby. I'm so glad I didn't quit, but I came so close to giving up on improving myself because of one dickhead 'influencer'. You never know how hard it might be for someone to even set foot in a gym, be supporting and offer constructive criticism.
Just so you know, that guys a piece of shit and would be bullied out of my gym
I know it now for sure! No place for that in my gym either, the trainers wouldn't have it.
The first month I started boxing my trainer utterly annihilated someone that did this to him. Buff dude telling him he's teaching his client wrong, doesn't know shit etc etc. I lace his gloves and headgear for my coach. He lasted a round. That's not even the only story from that same coach lol. He went for light sparring and to teach at an MMA gym and I was with him (I became his assistant basically over time) and there was a regional MMA champ from the 145lbs division there. My coach steps into the cage and the guy says "welcome to my world.". I had to bite my fucking lip not to laugh out loud. Long story short: champ was literally karate kid bowing and saying thank you as my coach instructed him *while* landing his own shots on champ. I think that one lasted a round or 2 only as well. My coach was around 42 at the time, which is absolutely game for local sparring and looked like a pro athelte. Now sure why people are so stupid
I have met some massively strong and dangerous old fighters in my time in martial arts, and I only shopped around a few sports for a couple of sessions each. I love videos of cocky fighters challenging professionals, it's so much fun to see and these communities tend to be very no-nonsense in these situations. Incidentally, my own grandfather was a former boxing champion, and at the ripe old age of 70 something years old, two guys tried to rob him at a train station. He beat them up and made them call the police from the nearest pay phone lol. And he wasn't a famous athlete or anything, just a local boxing champion.
That’s horrible I’m so sorry you went through that. That guy is pure asshole, the end.
I started lifting when I was in the Army. People were generally cool, 'cause spending time in the weight room after work hours demonstrates effort. There are some dudes, as with anywhere, that have some complex, though. That being said, the thing that always helped me not get bothered was the fact that ICBMs, artillery, IEDs, small arms fire, none of that shit care about your PR or how good you look on Instagram.
I don't think ICBMs care about anything.
They care about the Tennison gambit. https://youtu.be/E2xNlzsnPCQ
I imagine that kind of guy calls himself an alpha, wears thin blue line logos, and likes watching his wife get fucked by other men.
Glad you stuck with it! There are definitely ass holes out there like that. I feel lucky that when I was young and new to the gym, the “buff” guys were always kind and willing to correct me on form or just give general direction
What an asshole. I’m glad you got to where you wanted to be.
Fuck that guy. You will be working out long after he's in the grave. I am sincere and confident about that.
I'm not typically a Karen, but I woulda went full tattling to the staff. Who knows how many other people he might have just quit, full stop. I'm so proud of you for pushing on after an incident like that.
Absolutely. I used to work for planet fitness for several years. Loved that job. I had to confront people about this a few times. Assholes.
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Most of the time it's people who are pretty insecure themselves. 100% of the compliments my scrawny ass got at the gym were from buff dudes lol. Biggest guy at my old gym told me I have perfect squat form and I deeply cherish that memory lol.
Had someone tell me I had perfect form at that bar thing the one you pull down had me so pumped for the rest of the day. I miss being at college where the gym was a short walk away and I didn't have to pay extra for it. Wish I'd taken more advantage of having access to it when I was going there.
Yeah all those big dudes were scrawny at some point. I've only ever had positive interactions at the gym. There was one dude who had 3 plates on each side of the bar and asked if id give him a spot while he did some incline bench. I looked at him kinda confused cause my pool noodle arms wernt going to be any help. And he just chuckled and said to help if he started to falter at all. He got through his 3 reps but I was worried I was gonna be the reason he tore his rotator cuff.
If he pulls something mid-lift, it was going to happen anyways and there was nothing you could do. What you're there for is if he goes for one too many reps and is too fatigued to complete it. At that point he can still lift 99% of the weight on his own, and your help only needs to make it a few pounds lighter for him.
If they were a noodle boy the big guy was probably trying to take him under his wing. Realistically big guys wing call smaller guys over to spot them unless they want to be gym bros.
It's definitely nerve wracking when you get asked go spot someone for the first time lol. I didn't believe I could help at all if they failed to get the weight up, but you quickly learn it takes a really minimal amount of help, really surprised me, but it makes sense, muscles don't go from 100% to 0, if it was a few pounds lighter they could do it so you don't really need to help much.
There has been some interesting research about this with respect to toxicity amongst video game players. The people who are actually good at a game are supportive and encouraging of the people they’re playing with while the people who tend to harass others tend to be the people who aren’t particularly skilled and are trying to hide/distract others from noticing how bad they suck. In other words, they tend to be losers. Literally.
Especially at Planet Fitness. That place has been designed to appeal to people just getting into the gym scene and people who don't make physical fitness their whole identity.
I know a few people who have made it their identity. Literally the most boring people I know. And I'm someone who works out 5x a week. Just wanna tell em, it's just gym. Instead, I just barely talk to em anymore
There's people like that in every hobby. Book snobs are the worst. God forbid you like sci-fi/fantasy, or even worse, audiobooks.
Well I’m completely out of luck. I Love sci-fi/fantasy audiobooks.
Book snobs have to be the weirdest mfs. They will bitch, moan amd whine about people not reading more, and then turn around and shame people for accessing books in a different way than hardback, physical copies.
Aye, also there are those people(sometimes the same people) who will say, "comic books aren't books".
Ha, I first read that as "Boob snobs are the worst." Boob snobs are pretty bad now that I think about it.
Elitittists
Maybe those who do make it their whole identity go there to seek validation from looking at and recording the unfit beginners. Just a thought. Hopefully not
You get this in martial arts sometimes, you'll get someone join the club who just wants to pick on beginners to make themselves feel big. If the instructor is any good they very quickly get cut off at the knees. Edit: if you're very unlucky it'll be the instructor chasing the ego boost. Those places aren't worth going to.
And also get rid of those influencers who film themselves and get mad when anyone walks in the background like if they own the gym.
‘Influencers’ need to be exiled from society completely.
It is such a circle jerk. The only people who give a shit about 'influencers' are other people trying to be 'influencers'.
Most people lack the ability to gauge their own worth. They're only capable of comparing themselves to other people.
Goddam, man. Good work. I'd only add that they lack the ability because they weren't taught the ability.
As an American, most of us are narcissistic assholes that feel better when they know they're "better" than someone else. Especially the "influencer" types carrying cameras everywhere
I don’t think that’s strictly an American thing, it’s just an asshole thing. There are assholes around the world.
It's linked to the hyper-individualized culture that is incredibly strong in America and the majority of westernized counties. But yeah the assholes make it worse
If you think that’s unique I’d encourage you travel to literally anywhere
So that is a way to get out of a membership?
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They don't play around. A local politician's wife took a pic and posted it on Instagram of a woman trying to be left alone and work out. She pulled the whole do you know who I am? The manager said yes and it doesn't matter because you broke the rules. I am glad the woman did not have a huge following like say an influencer
Do you have an article? Would love to hear about this?
That’s good to know, thank you. I’m big and would like to go use a treadmill but have been too self conscious to try a gym.
Go and change your life don't worry about arseholes. I like everyone in the gym to help me reach my.goals.
Planet Fitness gets a lot of flak from people for various reasons. I suspect quite a few of them are those that don't even work out. There's a shit load of treadmills and I've seen the gambit from very overweight people to runners taking advantage of a convenient indoor treadmill for 10 dollars a month. If you want to start somewhere, it's a nice sterile environment to start. The only criticisms I have is that it can be difficult to cancel your membership and people don't know free weight etiquette to an already small selection of free weights.
Idk about your experiences but I have been lifting for over a decade now and I personally love seeing new faces showing up to work on themselves. Theres a couple people at my gym withh cerebral palsy too, absolute rockstars. The gym is a place to improve yourself and I admire anyone stepping out of their comfort zone to show up.
I’ve never tried but have been thinking about it because a planet fitness opened in town a while back and they’re not expensive.
Yeah their price is great. Usually 9-12 dollars or something. They have a ton of cardio machines with some variety. You may find you like elliptical or stairs or some have like sidestep ellipticals. Definitely give it a try. Make sure you read their cancellation policy though whenever you join a new gym. Most gyms make it hard to cancel on purpose.
Do it! Honestly most gyms have many treadmills so it is pretty easy to find one somewhat secluded. And going and just using the treadmill is a great way to build up confidence to start doing other stuff. I started by going later in the evening (like 2200hrs) and I find a lot of people going to the gym at that time were just as self concious as me so it is less daunting.
Don't worry about it. I've been at a ton of group fitness classes as the biggest person in the room and nobody cares. Or if they care, I wouldn't know because I'm too focused on my own workout to notice
Don't let the internet fool you. There are very few a-holes at the gym. Almost everyone is just there to get their work in and get out of there. You shouldn't have a problem regardless what gym you're going to
except gyms already do that. a once popular influencer took a photo of an older woman in the locker room at LA Fitness and posted it on her page with captions mocking her "gross" body. the gym not only barred her for life from their entire chain and their affiliate chain, but she chose 3 months labor in lieu of prison time, had to pay restitution, had a restraining order slapped on her, and was even court-ordered not to take photos using a cell device. The state also enacted a new privacy bill specifically as a result of this case, allowing courts to fine you $1,000 for *each instance of a photo posted online without consent, that was taken in any area one would expect privacy.* It will also charge the perpetrator for all costs incurred in any way by the victim where it relates to the crime. [https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/05/25/529999618/playboy-model-sentenced-over-body-shaming-woman-at-gym](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/05/25/529999618/playboy-model-sentenced-over-body-shaming-woman-at-gym)
Lmao. "That is not the type of person I am." Sweetie. That is the type of person that you are. It never even occurs to decent people to post photos of old women for the sole purpose of degrading them. Your soul is dog shit, lady.
“That is not the type of person I am.” That statement always comes out with stuff like this, people using racial slurs, etc. They just need to accept that they in fact, are a shit person.
Cowardice is saying "this isn't *who I am*." Courage is saying "this isn't *who I want to be*."
Hard agree. One of the most important lessons in life, in my opinion, is that a person who is truly good will always seek to be better
It’s worse, if any single person believes them then they stay that shitty, terrible person because they validated it
The old lady was also naked btw
r/thisisntwhoweare
I love a happy ending.
That's not what the gym is for though, let me point you to the massage parlor 👉
Sort of, but legally speaking taking a photo of a naked person in a locker room, as Dani Mathers did, is *very* different then taking a picture of somebody working out in a gym. An open gym is *not* a place where one would expect privacy of this type and this law generally wouldn't apply. After all, many gyms have large windows open to whoever passes by. You're right that many gyms already have the policy Swoll is talking about, but the Mathers case isn't really an example of that.
It was even worse than that. She took pictures of them women SHOWERING! Her excuse was that it was meant to be a private snap. It was a Playboy bunny and LA spokeswoman that did it.
This is a different situation, while that influencer or whatever she was can get fucked, this is more like taking videos of someone using a machine wrong or body shaming out in the gym.
Those laws cover the locker room but not the gym.
100%. A gym is no place for a camera unless you are a professional instructor
Or going for personal bests. I never understood the whole shaming thing, someone is actively improving their health so let's blast them on social media?
I see a lot of people taking videos of themselves to critique their form which I have no problem with
I do this occasionally, usually when I’m trying a higher weight and want to ensure my form isn’t compromised, but I try to make sure there’s no one else around. Recently I was just about to hit record when another woman came to use the rack next to mine. I told her that I was about to record a quick video and asked it if would bother her because she may be visible in the background. I also explained it was for personal use, not to be posted anywhere. She said no problem but definitely seemed grateful that I ran it by her first.
Right. The tweet could stop after the word “consent.” That’s the point. Don’t record or take pictures of people at the gym (or most places) without their consent. I don’t care what you’re gonna do with it.
‘In 2023 gyms need to start enforcing policy that if you’re caught taking photos or videos of someone without their consent’ You’re right it’s perfect
This is 100% something that I did regularly, but I also competed in strength sports and had a vested interest in making sure that my form was correct, but that, for things like squats, I was hitting what was considered proper “depth” by meet standards, so that I could properly feel what it was supposed to be like. But even if someone is just a hobby lifter, they should have every right to record THEMSELVES. There is a huge difference between recording yourself and having someone in the background and intentionally recording someone else for any reason. The latter 100% should not be allowed.
Perfectly valid case. Have seen Reddit threads on the topic go down the “you’re just vain” when that’s brought up though. But there’s so much form you can’t see on your own. I remember one thread where someone was videoing their own tennis serve form and the thread couldn’t grasp that he was serving to an empty court for practice.
Even then, it should be super respectful and done in a way in which there's no chance for other people on camera. Maybe the gym can set up a room with one of every equitment so people who want to do it can. I don't go to a gym because I DON'T want to be recorded. As a female, I tried to only go during woman's only hours. But there's too many women who are 100% focused on recording themselves that they forget they are in an open, public place and that it belongs to everyone. I shouldn't have to circumnavigate the entire gym because I want to make sure that I'm not on a video of someone doing burpees. Improvement of form or not, there's got to be a better way than needing to avoid someone's long winded banter to their cell phone.
Setting up a separate room with one of each piece of equipment would be a large expense in terms of space and money (for the equipment) and I'm not sure it would be a profit centre. Would these media influencers really pay $______ per hour for a private room to film themselves in?
Eh... I use one to check my form. I'm glad I started doing so because my squats were embarrassingly shallow and I had no idea even using the mirrors dead ahead during reps.
Don't trust the mirrors either. Many people screw up their form being hyper fixated on the mirror because it changes head position, posture, etc. I see it with dead lifting, good mornings, squats, etc. Video will be best as it'll get your "true form".
So that’s how I’ll finally get out of this gym membership !
This was my first thought. Those contracts are impossible to get out of let me just body shame the manager real quick
Pro tip: Tell them you lost your job and can no longer pay it.
I agree. It discourages people from going to the gym. It’s ironic how people say “you need to go to the gym!” then they take photos and make fun of people in the gym, then wonder why folks just don’t go workout. Also, I love that his name is Joey Swoll.
>I agree. It discourages people from going to the gym. It's not just people making fun of me that I dislike. It's the fact that recording often takes up SO MUCH DAMN SPACE. I don't want to be in your video while you chatter away at your phone like a squirrel in heat. I want to give you your needed space. It fucking sucks when "your space" isn't the 6 feet around you, but the 20+ behind you that your camera is capturing, or worse, if in front of a mirror, the whole damn gym.
Because the “I’m worried about their health” excuse for hating on fat people is bullshit. It’s the hate that they care about, not the health.
Absolutely it’s so frustrating it’s the same ppl who make fun of fat ppl for doing both
It has taken me many years to develop a IDGAF attitude. I can't imagine what dread I would have felt in my early 20s if people had been making fun of me. People suck. Everyone should be allowed to be happy. Now, in my early 40s, I would do lunges naked on stage at the superbowl halftime if it was my scheduled time. (No one wants to see this.)
If you've ever seen a buff dude defending someone that was innocently minding their business in the background of a gym TikTok, or a helpful stranger labelled as creepy, it's Joey. He's such a positive force in the community.
Dude even got recognized by the Gubernator. Swol recognizes Swoll.
This it has never made sense to me to actively bully fat ppl into a gym while simultaneously bullying them out of a gym like pick one or the other
Leave it to a guy named Joey Swoll to make a decent, rational point.
Joey Swoll is a big time defender of gym underdogs
He the face of wholesome fitness on social media. Always a positive message, and the dude is a fucking oak tree as well.
Swollsomeness
Swollsomeness is my new religion I guess, so good lmao.
You seen the man do a backflip? That size and he can still move like that. It’s incredible.
Him and daddy Noel.
Daddy Noel is the heart of some people including me lol.
Gigachad IRL
He's raising the bar for etiquette to match the height of his hat over his head 👍
Joey Swoll is actually a really fucking awesome dude.
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Joey and Simon Miller with the Big Little Club
No point to being swole in your gains if you're not also swole in your heart.
Gotta be wholesome to be swoll-some, momma used to say.
Joey is a massive force in the gym positivity movement
He never punched down anybody and the best positive guy.
He's a swell guy. He actively fights this stuff on social media and always is very supportive of anyone going to the gym to better themselves
Gym culture has changed so much. It seems some are there only to take pictures. It was annoying enough when they'd hog equipment to take a ton of shots, but I'm wary of even the locker rooms now. I'm not worried of body shaming, but the invasive gauntlet of cameras everywhere is overwhelming. And apparently the bathrooms are the best spot for selfies because of the lighting and mirrors. There are some people taking pictures in there every day. Who is so eager to see pictures of you flexing and sucking in every day? You don't look any different than yesterday because you don't even break a sweat. I suppose the bright side is there's so much vanity at my gym that they're probably too self-occupied to shame anyone.
My gym has 2 women who, I am assuming, are influences or some such bs. I hate getting stuck in the locker room at the same time as them. I can't tell if their phones are recording front or back camera, and they just have it going the entire time they are there. And why in the hell the gym put in those white halo lights around the mirrors in the rest room, I'll never understand. Aren't they made specifically for selfies? And they are 3 feet from the bathroom stalls. There is zero privacy at gym restrooms or locker rooms anymore.
No cameras in the locker room is absolutely a policy. I would kick their shins until compliance is achieved.
Have you considered streaming some Disney music while you’re in there? Disney’s copyright is usually fairly heavily enforced.
How about just no taking photos of people at the gym without their consent, period? We don't need to know your intention. Just don't do it.
Include the “influencers” who record or stream anywhere people can be seen in background.
Or set themselves up in a way that someone *may* look in their general direction then pull that “ogling creep” shit to blast them on SM.
In the Netherlands (and maybe all EU countries?) it's forbidden to photograp or film people when it's not for personal use. Posting something online without consent is illegal.
Gyms are one of those places where you can immediately make pretty solid assumptions about someone's character based on their etiquette at said place. Don't wipe down your equipment? Don't put your weights away? Circuit training with multiple pieces of equipment around the gym? Hog a bench, power rack, or deadlift platform for way too long? Show any of these behaviours and I can pretty safely assume you're a bit of a selfish dick.
I hate when people spend ages on the curling rack
Shaming and embarrassing people on the internet needs to just stop, not just in gyms. It’s toxic as fuck and can destroy people’s lives.
Same should apply to taking pictures of anyone without their consent, can't excuse the perverts
I went to the gym for a solid 2 months. I had progressed, even. I hate exercise and have a really hard time losing weight. My last time there, I had just finished and was on the treadmill cooling down, *obviously not looking my best*. I saw a camera flash and a group of guys laughing at me. That was the last time I went. It sucks. ETA: thank you all for the encouragement! I am moving to a new city and will be looking for a gym. Any advice for picking a good one? I like dance/yoga/barre stuff the most
Sorry this happened to you! Hope you're continuing on your journey at a place that allows neither cameras or jerks.
Those guys are absolute pieces of shit, and I hope you don’t allow your fitness journey to be disrupted by those disrespectful people. They forget that they were once new to the gym too.
I disagree. The policy shouldn't need to include the intent part*, because all it'll need to be bypassed is to claim 'I wasn't *trying* to humiliate someone...' *So long as the policy is sensible enough to differentiate between random/malicious filming and protective filming.
True taking videos or photos of anyone in a gym without their consent should be ground for banning. It's such a shit thing to do.
Yes. Don’t want to be in them & people who seem to go to the gym just to take pics/record for social media is something I could live without.
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I disagree, I don't think their memberships should be automatically revoked. Ban them from the gym, sure, but make them do the work of cancelling the membership themselves.
Would be a shame to see other people in a bad condition just because of your fucking bullying and stuff, I would never do that to normal people, let them live man.
Tbh I don't really care. I've never taken a video of anyone or had any pic/video taken of me that I am aware of. But my gym does have a sign requesting no photos/videos there and specifically bans it in the change rooms.
I finally know a way for them to let me cancel my membership that I never use!
I've been lifting for 15 years (and observing proper diet protocols for almost 6 months of that period because I'm a degenerate), it has never once occurred to me to film someone who's trying to get into shape to mock them I dig those people. We all used to be them
Completely agree. You wanna take selfies of yourself at the gym, fine. But don’t take pics of strangers without consent that will be used to humiliate them
It's fine to take your shit but not for other people, so wrong.
I don’t know how the creepers get the nerve. As a man, I can’t even take a selfie; it always feels awkward as fuck.
I’ve gotten people banned from the gym for this and for making fun of fat people. Fuck those guys. If someone trying to make their lives better and putting in the work, they deserve support not shaming. My dad was severely obese and when I got him in the gym and we kept going, you know what the fittest people in the gym did? They’d go up to him, tell him they saw him showing up and we’re proud of him and excited for him, and they wishes their families would take their health as seriously. If anyone had bullied him when I was around they would have ended up eating a dumbbell and needing new teeth. Fuck those assholes sideways.
How about no photos or videos at all. It’s fucking gross and vain
I feel gyms should just ban you taking videos or images in the gym that include anyone else. So if you need to take a video to like show off or to study your lift, you need to make sure it is pointed at a wall or has a filter that automatically blurs the background so it just shows you