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Original poster

Gym posted photos of me on Facebook

147 replies

DomesticDisgrace · 20/08/2017 18:22

I recently joined a small gym/training studio very local to me and I have 33 mutual Facebook friends with this gym as it's a smallish town and the PTs there are very involved in the local community, children's sport club said etc.

I had my first PT session today, purposely because I was advised it would be quiet and I was feeling very self conscious etc. It went really well and I booked and paid for my next session before leaving.

I've just logged onto Facebook and the first thing on my timeline is 4 photos by the gym page of me, mid session, red contorted face, dripping with sweat, one where my mum tum has escaped my leggings and looks to be flying off like a fleshy jelly spaceship! There are lots of comments, some just of people tagging their friends which I take as a pisstake, others along the lines of "any step is a step in the right direction".

I'm fucking mortified and fuming! I've messaged them asking them to remove them and had no reply

OP posts:
WhittlingIhopMonkey · 20/08/2017 18:44

I'd have thought this is a data protection issue too...though maybe not if it's only a picture and the picture was taken in public?

meltingmarshmallows · 20/08/2017 18:44

This is so unfair and out of order, really feel for you op. I wouldn't want to use that gym again but would be making a big complaint.

Original poster
DomesticDisgrace · 20/08/2017 18:49

A few of the "likes" were laughing faces, feel sick!

They replied first of all saying how great I did and the photos will encourage others (obviously looking to appeal to the overweight and insecure so!)

I went ballistic and threatened legal action (more cringe) and they've been deleted. So many people and mutual friends have already seen though and I have paid for the next session but I never want to step foot back there again!

OP posts:
Bettyspants · 20/08/2017 18:50

Oh my God, I'd be completely mortified. Screen shot it for a record and report via FB . Email the gym expressing your embarrassment ,disappointment and breach of confidentiality. I'm one of those people who would make it a very formal complaint and take it much further.

PoorYorick · 20/08/2017 18:51

If it wouldn't cause you any extra aggro, OP, perhaps you should tell us the name of the gym and we can spread it around. Even if they did have a legal right to do this, it's so clearly inappropriate.

Demand a refund too.

HelenaDove · 20/08/2017 18:52

Im glad theyve been deleted OP It shouldnt have happened in the first place.

And the other gym that wants members to pay MORE just for the right not to be plastered over social media. Is this really where we are now? Having to pay for the right to privacy.

SandyDenny · 20/08/2017 18:53

Good that they've taken them down but it certainly doesn't sound like a gym I'd want to join.

As a local gym I don't suppose you'll be able to take it any higher but I'd make sure all my friends knew what a shitty place it is

mumofthemonsters808 · 20/08/2017 18:54

Oh Domestic how awful, I can understand you being shocked and angry, dont let this put you off exercising though it's just something that needs sorting to prevent it happening again. Nobody looks good exercising, even the body beautiful should be red faced, sweaty, veins sticking out, in unflattering poses, don't let this dint your confidence and remember any comments are coming from the armchair, whilst you're out there giving it your best shot. This bloody obsession people have with taking pictures really oversteps the mark at times.

lemonsandlimes123 · 20/08/2017 18:55

Oh for goodness sake. It's a shame that you were not happy to have your pictures used but you complained and they remedied the issue. Aside from some embarrassment you felt there was no real harm and you suffered no loss. So quite what all these people banging on about 'taking it further' would want to happen is beyond me.

meltingmarshmallows · 20/08/2017 18:55

Even if you gave permission they should be moderating their FB page. There's no room for people who think laughing at someone mid workout is amusing. They should be blocking anyone who leaves comments / likes of that nature. How on Earth is that going to encourage someone to come to the gym?

But as you didn't, it's just awful. I would demand your money back and find a new gym Flowers

Slimthistime · 20/08/2017 18:56

Ask for a refund on both sessions, continue to say you'll take legal action. Never go back.

4691IrradiatedHaggis · 20/08/2017 18:56

Yeah, I'm kind of wanting some naming and shaming going on.
As an overweight person who's looking to get fit, I kind of want to know who to avoid!

Violetcharlotte · 20/08/2017 18:57

That would really piss me off! No way should a company do this without your written consent. And the consent form should be really clear what they'll be using the images for (not hidden in the small print of your contact). Definitely complain!

NicolasFlamel · 20/08/2017 19:00

I would genuinely be devastated Sad it takes some people a lot of guts to get to the gym and that just undermines it all. Shame on those that were taking the piss. At least you were at the gym, not sitting on Facebook laughing at people.

Original poster
DomesticDisgrace · 20/08/2017 19:00

This is an independent place and very local to me so would be really outing to name.

Thanks for all the supportive comments, I nearly died when I saw. I feel like I really can't go back there though! I will chase my money back and look into something else.

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 20/08/2017 19:00

lemons its hardly going to encourage people to join a gym

BoomBoomsCousin · 20/08/2017 19:01

I would find that disrespectful and would ask for my money back and go to a different gym. But there really is no point getting too upset about it. People have seen that when you exercise it looks like you're exercising. That's it. Don't be embarrassed about looking after your health. You're playing into the idea that women should be mortified if they don't look photoshoot worthy all the time.

Mrsknackered · 20/08/2017 19:01
Shock

Get your money back and don't return! Spread the word.

I hope it hasn't knocked your confidence OP, no one looks good in that situation! Flowers

ChickenVindaloo2 · 20/08/2017 19:03

This was completely out of order, I'm so angry for you OP.

BUT: don't let it put you off. Find a more friendly, respectful gym and keep going!

Also: anyone that looks good while exercising isn't working hard enough!

Purplepicnic · 20/08/2017 19:03

A gym is not a public space and therefore they need your consent to publish these photos online.

MadisonAvenue · 20/08/2017 19:04

I'd hate that, so glad they removed the photos. There was a photographer in the gym I use at the local leisure centre one day so I made a point of telling him that he wasn't to take any photos of me.

Aquamarine1029 · 20/08/2017 19:05

I'm so glad they took them down, op. That was a HORRIBLE invasion of your privacy.

DJBaggySmalls · 20/08/2017 19:05

They dont have a legal right to do this.
If they want to take photos of you and use them, they have to explain thats what they want to do, and get you to sign a models release form.

Elfieselfie · 20/08/2017 19:06

That's fucking shocking- I would go apeshit!

4691IrradiatedHaggis · 20/08/2017 19:09

People have seen that when you exercise it looks like you're exercising. That's it. Don't be embarrassed about looking after your health. You're playing into the idea that women should be mortified if they don't look photoshoot worthy all the time.

That's not the only issue though, is it? It's the fact that the gym put pictures up on social media without getting express consent first. Not everyone wants their picture on FB/social media and may have valid reasons for not having them put on.

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