Prominent fitness influencer Joey Swoll is no stranger to standing up against ‘toxic gym culture,’ an issue he’s been vocally tackling for quite some time. His recent target is an individual who brazenly flouted gym rules by exercising shirtless, despite the polite request of a staff member to the contrary.
Joey Swoll: A Champion Against ‘Toxic Gym Culture’
Swoll has made a name for himself in the fitness realm not just for his fitness acumen, but also for his staunch stance against what he terms as ‘toxic gym culture.’ He seeks to counteract poor gym etiquette, bullying, and harassment within gym spaces, aiming to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for fitness enthusiasts.
Unfortunately, instances of unwelcome gym behavior have become increasingly prevalent, often caught and proliferated through social media channels. This trend keeps Swoll quite engaged. He previously found himself addressing a situation involving a woman who was seemingly boasting about her faster pace on the Stairmaster compared to a fellow gym-goer. Swoll defended the other individual, asserting that anyone striving for self-improvement at the gym should never be belittled, irrespective of their fitness level or pace.
Swoll’s Latest Stand: Calling Out a Shirtless Gym-goer
In his most recent endeavor to rectify gym etiquette, Swoll drew attention to a man who disregarded the gym’s rule of exercising with a shirt on. The man initially complied when a gym staff member addressed him but resumed his shirtless workout once the staff member left.
Swoll responded to this episode in a video stitch, expressing his disapproval of the man’s actions. The man claimed that his shirtless state was making others feel insecure. Still, Swoll remained skeptical of this reasoning, emphasizing the importance of respect for gym rules and staff.
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Joey Swoll Castigates Gym Member for Defying Shirtless Workout Rule: “Respect the Rules of the Gym & Staff When They Enforce Them”
Joey Swoll, a highly-regarded fitness influencer, recently called out a gym-goer for flouting gym regulations by working out without a shirt. In a Twitter post, Swoll emphasized the importance of respecting both gym rules and staff members who enforce them. His rebuke came after a man disregarded a staff member’s request to wear a shirt while working out and resumed his shirtless exercise as soon as the staff member departed. Swoll, well-known for challenging ‘toxic gym culture’, highlighted this incident as another example of poor gym etiquette.
“Respect the rules of the gym and staff when they enforce them. If you can’t, STAY HOME.” Joey Swoll shared.
Respect the rules of the gym and staff when they enforce them. If you can’t, STAY HOME. pic.twitter.com/xk1MMZ1AXA
— Joey Swoll (@TheJoeySwoll) July 31, 2023
Swoll has expressed his skepticism over the man’s claim that gym staff had asked him to put his shirt on because he was making others feel insecure. Despite being kindly alerted to the gym’s policy by a staff member, the man still blatantly chose to ignore the rules, which Swoll finds highly arrogant.
“You know I’m not the best lip reader, but I’ll bet that she didn’t tell you to put your shirt on because you make other people feel insecure. There’s literally nobody even looking at you in this video. She told you to put your shirt on because those are the rules of the gym. Everybody has to wear a shirt, including you. And she told you because she’s an employee of the gym, she works there, she’s enforcing the rules, that’s her job.
And she’s very nice about it. She’s respectful, she tells you, she smiles, and she walks away. And what do you do? You take your shirt off anyway. You act like you’re better than everybody else just to make this video so you can get some likes and attention on social media. Really? I’m sorry. You don’t own the gym. If you can’t respect staff, if you can’t respect the rules of the gym, stay home or build your own. Until then, you need to do better. Mind your own business,” Swoll shared.
Addressing Persistent Issues in Gym Culture
Despite his relentless advocacy for creating an inclusive gym culture, Swoll frequently encounters unsettling incidents that undermine his mission. A recent episode involved several men at a Planet Fitness locker room who subjected an individual with special needs to harassment and bullying. Confronting such incidents only strengthens Swoll’s resolve to transform gym environments into respectful and supportive spaces.
Recognition from a Bodybuilding Legend
Swoll’s persistent efforts have not gone unnoticed. His mission to reshape the gym culture has garnered attention and support from illustrious figures in the fitness industry. Notably, the legendary seven-time Mr. Olympia champion, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has expressed his endorsement of Swoll’s initiative.
Hoping for a More Respectful Future in Fitness
In light of the recurring unpleasant incidents, Swoll ardently wishes to see an increased level of respect among gym-goers towards gym rules and the staff who enforce them. His vision is to foster a gym culture that is inclusive, supportive, and devoid of disrespect or harassment, ensuring a positive experience for all who seek fitness and health.
Overview
Fitness influencer Joey Swoll has been actively challenging ‘toxic gym culture’ and taking stands against instances of disrespect and poor gym etiquette. In his latest bid, he publicly reprimanded a man who defied gym rules by working out shirtless, even after a staff member had courteously asked him to comply with the rules. Swoll, known for his strong advocacy for a respectful and supportive gym environment, emphasizes the need to follow gym regulations and respect the staff enforcing them. His efforts have earned recognition and support from prominent figures in the fitness industry, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger. Swoll’s ultimate goal is to create a more inclusive and positive atmosphere in gyms worldwide.
Featured Image @Joeyswoll (Instagram)
