Viral gym encounter sparks debate on fitness etiquette and respect in shared spaces

WHEN you walk into a gym for the first time, you're already fighting off nerves, wondering if you'll use the machine wrong, get stuck or embarrass yourself.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

Now imagine someone filming a video just a few metres away. As you try to get past the weight rack, they suddenly stop their workout and shout, “Don't work out next to me!”

This scene recently went viral and sparked a big conversation about gym etiquette, content creation and respect in shared spaces.

Jennifer Picone, a fitness influencer who targets women over 40, recorded herself doing hip thrusts in a public gym. When another woman walked into her frame to grab dumbbells, Picone interrupted her set to call her out: “Why are you standing there? You're annoying me. ... Don’t work out next to me!”

She later captioned the video: “Gym etiquette lesson #47: Don't photobomb the content creator”

The backlash came quickly. People on social media called the creator entitled, narcissistic and a “Karen”.