January is the month of fresh starts, and for many, that means joining a gym

Paul Byrne, owner of BodyByrne, says to make the experience more welcoming, Irish gyms should ban mobile phones on the gym floor.

Byrne said, from experience, mobile phones are creating unnecessary distractions and invading the privacy of gym-goers. 

“A lot of people are videoing themselves, and some people don’t want to be videoed,” he said in an interview with The Pat Kenny Show.

He went on to say that he's particularly concerned about the rise of social media influencers and what that brings with it.

“They’re showing off, practically flaunting every muscle,” Byrne said. “It’s very intimidating for people who are starting off.

“The monster that is social media has taken over, with influencers coming into gyms. It’s given a very narcissistic approach to the fitness industry.”

One of Byrne’s biggest frustrations is how some gym-goers use their phones to mock others online: “You see people posting videos of beginners doing a technique wrong and calling them out,” he said. “People see that and feel discouraged.”

He also pointed to the growing trend of some members going as far as to set up tripods to film their workouts. 

“Gyms shouldn’t be about that,” Byrne said.

Instead, he thinks gyms should be supportive spaces where everyone feels welcome and comfortable to focus on their health without the fear of being judged or recorded.

So, for anyone starting their fitness journey, Byrne’s advice is important: focus on your health, ignore any distractions, and remember that the gym is there for you - not for someone else’s social media feed.

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