The gym can be intimidating to go to and work out to improve one's health, even at just a basic level.
It's sometimes loud; there's so many mysterious machines with people seriously sweating all over them; there's a whole different set of social rules about taking turns and more.
Because of this, TikToker Joey Swoll (@thejoeyswoll) gets really irritated whenever someone comes along and makes going to the gym even harder for people. He advocates for a judgment free gym environment so everyone—no matter their fitness level—feels welcome.
In the most recent of Swoll's call out videos about bad gym behavior, he posted a viral video someone had taken mocking a man walking backwards on a treadmill.
He captioned the clip:
"If you don’t want it done to you, don’t do it."
"Stop filming people at the gym."
"If you can’t respect others, STAY HOME."
Swoll read the original TikToker the riot act on how filming strangers at the gym—especially to make fun of them—is completely unacceptable.
You can see his call out here:
@thejoeyswoll If you don’t want it done to you, don’t do it. Stop filming people at the gym. If you can’t respect others, STAY HOME.
After listing all the reasons someone might be walking backwards on a treadmill, Swoll finished with a strong message for anyone thinking of filming other people at the gym in order to post on social media.
"It still blows my mind that people think it's alright to film a stranger at the gym just to post on social media so you can make fun of them for likes and attention."
"You need to do better."
"Mind your own business."
Swoll cross-posted his video over on Twitter, where people agreed with his stern lecture.
Many people thanked him for his words and shared how this sort of thing was why they were scared to go to the gym.
\u201c@TheJoeySwoll This is a HUGE reason I don\u2019t go to the gym. It\u2019s scary to think someone might record my out of shape clueless self trying to figure out machines, struggling, capturing my jiggly rolls. I would spend the entire time feeling self conscious. When I workout, it\u2019s at home. Alone.\u201d— Joey Swoll (@Joey Swoll) 1674615714
\u201c@TheJoeySwoll As a disabled person who struggle to talk normally and do certain things, this is why I would NEVER go to a public gym \ud83d\ude30\u201d— Joey Swoll (@Joey Swoll) 1674615714
Others—both gym-goers and health care providers—shared how walking backwards on a treadmill helped them.
\u201c@TheJoeySwoll When I was learning how to walk again after being paralyzed for months this is what they had me doing both on the treadmill and in thr pool. It helped my hamstring so much\u201d— Joey Swoll (@Joey Swoll) 1674615714
\u201c@TheJoeySwoll Agreed. I walk backwards on the treadmill when it's turned off. It's the closest thing to doing a sled pull. It looks weird, but it's so good for strengthening your knees. I'm seven months post ACL reconstruction.\u201d— Joey Swoll (@Joey Swoll) 1674615714
\u201c@TheJoeySwoll I had to do 20 minutes of walking backwards for physical therapy on my hip it\u2019s a great workout to break up the routine\u201d— Joey Swoll (@Joey Swoll) 1674615714
\u201c@TheJoeySwoll I have almost every single one of my patients with knee pain doing this. Some of them have goals of going to the gym and keeping up with their routine. Gotta do better if we want people to stay better.\u201d— Joey Swoll (@Joey Swoll) 1674615714
\u201c@TheJoeySwoll that dude is working harder than 99% of the gym lol \n\nbackwards treadmill/shuffle is perfect for getting back in the groove (and warmup)\u201d— Joey Swoll (@Joey Swoll) 1674615714
Others just agreed the trend of filming strangers in the gym is mean and disrespectful.
\u201c@TheJoeySwoll There was NO need for him to be this unkind. The fact that that man is taking care of his health in the way he wants to...is a win. It's inspiring and instead of commending his effort, he's being disrespectful. Thanks Joey for bringing this to light!\u201d— Joey Swoll (@Joey Swoll) 1674615714
\u201c@TheJoeySwoll @MattWalshBlog Anyone who films other people at the gym without their consent should be banned from the gym. It should be in the Terms of Service for a gym.\u201d— Joey Swoll (@Joey Swoll) 1674615714
Finally, some just stopped by to express their gratitude for Swoll's video and overall consistent calling out of rude behavior in gyms.
\u201c@DGerowPR @TheJoeySwoll Yup! Love Joey swoll. Positive masculinity in the gym\u201d— Joey Swoll (@Joey Swoll) 1674615714
\u201c@TheJoeySwoll I love what you\u2019re doing by calling out these unkind, narcissistic, and out right cruel people. Thanks for using your platform to hold these people accountable.\u201d— Joey Swoll (@Joey Swoll) 1674615714
Gym goers, be not afraid.
Joey Swoll's got your back.
Oh My God Reaction GIF 
@repjeffries/Instagram
@ctsparks2020/Instagram
@ms.cee7777/Instagram
@juju554/Instagram
@garfieldthe_dog/Instagram
@ch3lleb3lle/Instagram
@midgiepudge2scoot/Instagram
@chefbettycakes/Instagram
@erickabathgate/Instagram
@frenchie_valentinaa/Instagram
@babyboybroadus/Instagram
@elpunto/Bluesky
@localnotail/Bluesky
@ericadamsfornyc/Instagram
@ericadamsfornyc/Instagram