Viral gym encounter sparks debate on fitness etiquette and respect in shared spaces

When you walk into a gym for the first time, you’re already fighting off nerves, wondering if you’ll use the machine wrong, get stuck or embarrass yourself. 

Now imagine someone filming a video just a few feet away. As you try to get past the weight rack, they suddenly stop their workout and shout, “Don’t work out next to me!”

This scene recently went viral and sparked a big conversation about gym etiquette, content creation and respect in shared spaces.

Jennifer Picone, a fitness influencer who targets women over 40, recorded herself doing hip thrusts in a public gym. When another woman walked into her frame to grab dumbbells, Picone interrupted her set to call her out: “Why are you standing there? You’re annoying me. … Don’t work out next to me!”

She later captioned the video: “Gym etiquette lesson #47: Don’t photobomb the content creator.”

The backlash came quickly. People on social media called the creator entitled, narcissistic and even a “Karen.”

Many reminded her that a public gym is for everyone, and no one gets to claim a spot as their own.

But this isn’t just about one viral video. It highlights a bigger issue: the tension between people making content and the need for respect in shared gym spaces.

Gyms are public in that people pay to access them, but they’re also deeply personal. Many of us carry insecurities, health anxieties, or trauma when we step onto the floor. A 2025 Guardian survey found that one in four people feel self-conscious at the gym.

When someone sets up a tripod or starts filming in a busy space, it can feel like the sanctuary is being violated. Trainers warn that filming walls, racks, or aisles might accidentally capture people who’d rather stay off camera.

Influencers often say they’re creating content to inspire or educate. But they also need to consider the impact. If someone walks through their shot and gets called out in public, things have gone too far.

It’s important to know the difference between making content and treating the gym like your own private studio without thinking about others.

Influencers who film at gyms should act like hosts in a shared space, not directors staging a show. And, yes! that means asking permission and accepting the possibility of being told “no”.

No one should be filmed without their consent. Some gym chains are taking note. In the UK, PureGym mandates permission for photos or videos. Others ban the use of tripods in high-traffic zones, according to VICE.

From a legal perspective, gyms and influencers dance on thin ice. Attorneys warn of issues with liability, privacy rights, and image use. Gyms must include clauses in membership waivers about being filmed by others, but that still won’t resolve the ethical tension.

Also, elaborate filming setups, tripods, lights and wires are real safety hazards. In a space full of heavy machinery and sweat, distraction is dangerous.

If you must record, here are the rules of engagement that reduce conflict and show empathy:

Size down your setup: Use a phone or a small mount instead of full rigs. Avoid tripods in walkways.

Choose off-peak times or private corners: Busy hours aren’t the time to demand airtime.

Warn people and ask consent: If someone might walk into your frame, say: “Hey, I’m filming. Are you okay being in the background?” If not, adjust your angle.

Don’t block equipment or pathways: Your setup should never cost someone their workout.

Willingness to delete or re-shoot: If someone asks you to remove footage, do it, no argument.

Respect gym policies: Many gyms have rules about filming; follow them.

However, gym culture ultimately rests on respect. The unspoken rules of lifting, sharing space, and not interrupting sets are the foundation.

Here are 5 basic gym etiquette rules everyone should follow: simple, universal and respectful:

• Wipe down equipment after use: No one wants to grab a sweaty bench or treadmill handle. Always use a towel or sanitiser to clean up after yourself.
• Share equipment and don’t hog machines: If the gym is busy, avoid sitting on machines scrolling through your phone. Let others “work in” between your sets, or move on so everyone gets a fair chance.
• Respect personal space: Give people room to lift, stretch, and move safely. Standing too close or cutting across someone’s workout can be distracting and dangerous.
• Keep noise under control: Grunting, dropping weights, or blasting music too loud through your earphones can make others uncomfortable. Stay mindful of the shared space.