'A scourge': Australian gym bans tripod-wielding gym-goers from filming at its clubs

Tripods have become a "scourge", according to a gym owner, who has banned people from using them to film at his clubs — unless they buy a "media pass". He's also taken aim at those who grunt excessively.

Doherty's Gym has banned gym-goers from filming with tripods at its clubs. Source: Facebook / Doherty's Gym

An Australian gym company has cracked down on filming workouts at its clubs to tackle what its owner says is the "scourge of the tripods".

Dohertys Gym last week announced gym-goers would no longer be able to use tripods to film their workouts at its clubs in Melbourne and Perth unless they bought a "media pass" to do so during off-peak hours.

Owner Tony Doherty said the people had various reasons for filming, including to review their exercise form and wanting "to become an influencer", but said tripods were a trip hazard and safety concern.

He also said filming infringed on other people's privacy.

Tony Doherty, owner of Dohertys Gym, said tripods were becoming a "scourge" at his clubs. Source: Instagram / @tonydohertyoz

"If you must take a video with your phone while are are training, please be aware of anyone in the background and make sure you have their consent to post or share their image," Doherty wrote in a post on Instagram.

"Better yet, put your phone down and get on with training.

"This may not be popular with the tripod crew but everyone else will appreciate not having to deal with them."

News of the rule change made it to social media platform Reddit, where many welcomed the move.

"Hope this becomes policy at all gym chains across Australia," one user wrote. "We have the right to work out without being in your ... tiktok/ig video."

Another said: "Works, looks like it's a way to capitalise on content creation more than anything. And it still lets you film the odd set if you want to, which is chill for hobby lifters like myself."

An updated rules sheet, which includes the ban on tripods, is now on display at clubs, according to a photo published in a news.com.au report. It also states photo shoots must be pre-booked, and says there is to be "no excessive grunting".

"It's unfair on others," Doherty said in a video last month about those who make a lot of noise a the gym. "They come here for some peace and quiet; some meditative time ... and you guys are screaming and yelling every rep ... you make a fool of yourself."