The growing trend of using mobile phones in gyms to record exercise routines has generated discontent among assistants and instructors, which has led numerous gyms to impose restrictions on filming. This phenomenon, driven by the rise of social networkshas turned gyms into a new setting for content creation, as reported TheIndependent.
Gyms in the United States such as 24 Hour Fitness, New York Sports Club and LifeTime have implemented policies that prohibit filming without the consent of the people involved. A spokesperson for New York Sports Club said they seek to protect privacy and comfort in their facilities. “We want to ensure an environment where everyone feels comfortable exercising without worrying about appearing in someone else’s video.”commented a representative.
CorePower Yoga has delegated the responsibility of enforcing cell phone policies to its instructors. Emily Holtzman, a yoga instructor in New York, posted a note on the door of her class asking attendees not to use her phones, especially to film themselves. “My students complained about being in the background of other people’s videos or were distracted by screens during class,” said Holtzman, according to an article published by Wall Street Journal.
The proliferation of videos on social networks has had mixed reactions among users. Corinne Keogha designer, expressed that she finds it unpleasant to attend classes where everyone seems to be recording. “The last thing I would like is to appear in someone’s viral video”, he claimed. Others, however, welcome this practice, arguing that sharing routines and experiences can motivate more people to join classes and the fitness community.
For her part, content creator and founder of an events company, Liv Schreiber, explained to the Wall Street Journal who works in collaboration with studios and gyms to film their exercise videos and get paid or free classes. “It’s our responsibility to make others feel comfortable,” Schreiber said, stressing that he tries not to film other people and, if he accidentally does, he asks their permission to use the footage.
However, the problem of using phones in gyms is not limited to filming. The instructors have mentioned that attendees frequently use their devices to browse apps or check emails during sessions. Jacob Reynoldsa yoga instructor, commented on the distraction this creates: “I often find people on Instagram during classes, which can increase the risk of injury”.
The situation has led some gym chains to reevaluate their policies to ensure a consistent experience across all of their establishments. A CorePower Yoga spokesperson indicated that they are “evaluating our policies on cell phone use before, during and after class”.
In this context, the popularity of TikTok and other platforms continues to fuel the trend of documenting daily life, including time at the gym. Many reportedly feel unable to exercise in peace due to the constant presence of cameras, although the online fitness content community continues to thrive with the participation of creators and followers.
