Could this be the end of documented deadlifts and dumbbell curls? Gyms around Australia are calling for a ban on fitness influencers\u2019 selfies and other social media activity in their spaces.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n It\u2019s not uncommon for people to document their every waking move on social media these days. For some, it\u2019s a way to connect with their friends and family, sharing their most humorous or mundane moments from dusk til dawn.\u00a0<\/p>\n For others, it\u2019s their livelihood, with each image or Instagram story pushing a highly curated and calculated agenda on behalf of brand partnerships.\u00a0<\/p>\n Whatever the reason, we\u2019re all more than used to scrolling through hundreds of snaps a day\u2013 breakfast spreads, sunrise strolls at 6 AM, and glowing \u2018golden hour\u2019 selfies.\u00a0<\/p>\n Because in today\u2019s day and age, if something isn\u2019t documented right there and then, it simply doesn\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n Like what you see? Sign up to our\u00a0<\/i>bodyandsoul.com.au newsletter\u00a0<\/i>for more stories like this.<\/i><\/p>\n It\u2019s the above reason that many capture and post their workouts, boasting progress in the form of tensed biceps and sucked-in stomachs. Gyms and influencer culture appear to go hand in hand, with the former fast becoming the latter\u2019s favourite place to pose and post.\u00a0<\/p>\n Long ago, narcissism, vanity and an obsession over one\u2019s physical appearance used to plague a person, interfering with their professional success and relationships. Now, these qualities seem to propel individuals into the spotlight, where they are rewarded and praised.\u00a0<\/p>\n An entire generation of young children\u2013 who decades ago might have wanted to pursue a future of fulfilment and financial stability through a career in law or medicine\u2013 now look at Instagram and TikTok\u2019s top-followed influencers as role models.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n But in an attempt to reign in our culture of self-obsession\u2013 that appears to be spinning out of control since the rise of social media\u2013 experts and industry professionals everywhere are calling for a ban on the common \u2018gym selfie\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n Doherty\u2019s Gym in Melbourne is no longer tolerating the (not so) humble selfie, claiming the constant posing and filming by fitness influencers in their space is \u2018entitled and selfish behaviour\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n The gym, hailed by many others as, has begun offering members who insist on documenting their deadlifts the option to purchase a \u2018media pass\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n While it may seem like an extreme approach, the imposed ban on social media photography was brought about to allow regular gym-goers an opportunity to focus on their sweat sessions without the disturbing glare of a ring light.<\/p>\n And the annoyance of gym selfies goes beyond a person taking up mirror space. Many other fitness establishments have also placed a ban on tripods, citing the three-legged stands as a tripping hazard for other patrons.\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to safety concerns, there\u2019s also the nagging issue of privacy\u2013 or rather, the lack thereof. Every day, members of gyms are filmed inadvertently, or on purpose, without their consent or knowledge. Fitness influencers post stories, TikToks and changeroom selfies featuring background gym-goers all the time.\u00a0<\/p>\n There\u2019s no denying the detrimental effect social media has had on our generation’s self-confidence and body image issues. Research published just last year found women experience a blow to their self-esteem and mental health after just 90 seconds of scrolling.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The toned, tanned, and glistening body types perpetuated by successful fitness influencers\u2013 while no doubt impressive\u2013 just aren\u2019t a realistic representation of what most people\u2019s bodies look like. Sure, if you spend five hours a day pumping iron and chugging protein shakes, maybe it makes perfect sense to walk around like \u200b\u200bSchwarzenegger in his heyday.\u00a0<\/p>\n But for the rest of us, who congratulate ourselves for even rocking up to the gym amidst life\u2019s never-ending tornado of work, kids, and ironing, expecting our stomachs to resemble washboard abs in mere weeks is just not possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n A gym should be a place that fosters self-love and encouragement when it comes to our fitness goals, not one that feels overrun with a culture of toxic comparison and image obsession. While most establishments are yet to enforce a blanket ban on gym selfies, the benefits of such a rule are hard to overlook.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Placing the selfie under scrutiny\u00a0<\/h3>\n
The obvious effect on body image<\/h3>\n