How an AFL coach started an international trend by banning a VERY unpopular act at his gyms

An Australian gym owner and former strength coach for the Carlton AFL club has started an international trend by banning members from recording themselves while working out.

Dohertys, which has three locations in the Melbourne area and one in Perth – issued a notice in February that ‘filming on tripods will no longer be permitted in its premises’.

Tripods are used to mount smartphones to capture workouts on video that are often shared to social media accounts for likes and follows.

For those still determined to capture themselves pumping iron, Dohertys has brought in ‘media passes’ available for purchase at the front counter, which can be used on the condition that no other patrons are filmed inadvertently.

Owner Tony Doherty has now revealed the impact his controversial decision has had on the wider fitness industry.

‘Honestly, [tripods] were doing my head in,’ the former Carlton fitness guru said on the Dos and D Podcast recently.

‘One day I went into the gym and there were seven people using tripods in one room and I’m like, I need to wrap that thing up and wrap it around someone’s head.

‘It was out of control. There were young people there were old people who said, “I’ve got to film it for my coach and send it to them”, and I just said stop.’

Doherty was concerned about the safety and privacy of gym goers (stock image)

Doherty also explained how dangerous it was having filming equipment in his gym.

‘One, it’s a trip hazard, it’s dangerous, it’s in the road and it’s one rule for everyone – so if everyone brings one, it becomes a circus.

‘But secondly, I am really big on people’s privacy. Not everyone wants to be in someone else’s movie in the background.

‘There are women with intervention orders against ex partners, right, who want to hunt them down and kill them and they are just waiting to see them in the background of something so they know where they are. So no, not on my watch.’

Despite some complaints from users, gyms around the world have followed suit and made the same rule.

Several gyms in the UK have banned the use of tripods, most notably PureGym, which has hundreds of facilities across the country. 

The same is true for other notable fitness businesses like 24 Hour Fitness, New York Sports Club and LifeTime. 

Gyms around the world have since implemented similar rules after Doherty (pictured with champion bodybuilder William Bonac) took a stand against influencers

‘It is important to respect one another’s privacy, which is why our gym rules clearly state that people should not take photographs or videos on the premises unless they have permission,’ said a spokesperson for the gym.

‘We also ask people to not post remarks or imagery to the internet, including social media platforms, that may identify another person.’

Fitness influencer Joey Swoll has also been very vocal about the inappropriate use of cameras in gyms, regularly highlighting bad behaviour to his 4.6 million followers.