AIBU to not want to be filmed in gym class

[DizzyIzzy2022]

Midway through Pilates this morning and I notice an iPhone propped up opposite filming the lady next to me to which I am in shot. Stopped and asked her to reposition the camera so I wasn't in frame, she said she couldn't but would crop me out at the end I repositioned my mat but couldn't fully get away from the shot as the class was full. Was massively put off and annoyed as could see my double chins and ungraceful attempts at Pilates moves being filmed.

At the end of the class asked her again to crop me out and that if she wants herself that's fine but next time she should give other people in the shot heads up. Lady gets really arsey and rolls her eyes at me as she faffs around with her phone and then walks off.

Was I unreasonable? Surely it's massively unreasonable to film someone without their permission?! Why does it feel impossible to go to the gym without ending up inadvertently in someone's social media posts

Absolutely not unreasonable. I’ve not joined several classes as they are always posted on line and I have no interest in people knowing my business

Yanbu. I would hate that. And her rudeness would have made me demand she deleted it.

She seems way out of order to me, but I think photos and videos in gyms should be banned generally.

Not unreasonable at all. I'd have hated this. I'm glad you tackled her about it. Maybe mention it to the instructor.

You were absolutely right. To be fair you should complain to a leader / gym about it, I’m sure it’s not allowed.

You weren't remotely unreasonable. Lots of gyms have rules that prohibit people from doing this or at the very least require express consent from other members of the class. I would look into the policy in your gym to see what it says.

Can you ask the instructor next time to have a word?? I’d hate it and ask for my image to be deleted

My leisure centre has posters informing clients that they're not allowed to film. Might be worth checking whether there's a similar rule at yours.

Whether there is or not, you were quite right. The other woman had no right to film you. Saying that she'll crop it it is not enough - you shouldn't be filmed at all.

Not unreasonable at all. My gym takes photos in classes to promote ‘new releases’ on the SM. It really annoys me.

Yanbu. You need to let the person running it know this and tbh I wouldn't return and explain why. That's awful.

Definitely not unreasonable. I would have a word with the instructor or someone at the gym to say you don’t consent to be filmed in the gym and ask if someone is to film can they ask the whole class before they start.

Occasionally, publicity photos are taken at our gym, but these are always posed and we are always asked for permission.

Absolutely not unreasonable. If she refused to stop filming, I'd walk out and want my money back. I just wouldn't allow it and see it as a gross invasion of my privacy.

I would 100% report this. If it's the kind of place that doesn't care and does a lot of online promotion then I'd go somewhere else. I absolutely would not be OK with this. It's bad enough that people are allowed record at pubs or clubs or festivals without consent of all in the shot. I wish it was illegal.

She is bang out of order.

Thanks everyone. I have messaged the instructor. Just what is this culture with everyone filming themselves (and others)?! I've got no issue when instructors want to make promo content as they always ask and if someone objects they either don't film at all or that person moves out the way.

Classes are meant to be a safe space

Good greif, I would have absolutely hated that. Probably would have left the class! I’m glad you have reported it and I really hope the instructor takes this seriously.

Surely nobody wants photographic evidence of attempting a downward dog in January 😂

The same thing happened to me at a pilates class! I was totally new to it, the class itself was also new to our local community centre so everyone there was new customers to the instructor.
3rd class in a lady plonked herself next to me and set up her camera and light ring With myself and another lady in shot. Instructor proudly told us we had an influencer joining our class today and potentially some weeks going forwards, gave her a wave and that was that.
Me and the other lady moved away from her, about a month later the instructor moaned on the local community fb group that her class would have to stop as numbers had fallen in the past few weeks 🤷🏻‍♀️

Nope - have you reported the issue to the gym ? They should have a word with her.

Not unreasonable at all. I have a CrossFit gym near me where the owner is constantly filming sessions for their socials and it puts me off from joining. It’s closer to me than the gym I go to so it’s annoying that I can’t exercise there without the world seeing and I have to drive further to a gym that doesn’t.
In your situation I’d have spoken to the instructor immediately.

That's disgraceful. I'd go fucking mental if I was you. It's incredibly rude but I'd also question the legality of it. Deliberately recording others in that environment shouldn't be allowed. And does the instructor want her classes being recorded - it's his/her programme, is it fair to record it as it could be copied?