In a time when fitness influencers are testing the limits to capture attention, a social media controversy has erupted, sparking debate on how far content creators are willing to go for views.
The latest incident has many questioning the conduct of influencers in public gyms. It involves a viral video that has drawn sharp criticism, not only from gymgoers but also from one of the fitness industry’s prominent voices, Joey Swoll.
Swoll, a bodybuilder who calls himself the “CEO of gym positivity,” is known for condemning inappropriate gym behavior, yet this latest incident has particularly struck a nerve.
The controversy began when Brazilian model Sarah Caus posted a video from a public gym, performing an act that many have labeled inappropriate. In the video, Caus can be seen in the gym’s strength training area, surrounded by other gymgoers.
What caught viewers off guard was her use of a barbell for a shocking act. Caus straddles the barbell, squats down, and gyrates in a manner that has left many viewers disturbed and frustrated.
The video, originally shared on her Instagram account with 784,000 followers, quickly went viral. It soon spread across social media platforms, reaching audiences far beyond her original following.
Eventually, the clip found its way to Swoll, who did not hold back in his reaction. Sharing his views in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), Swoll openly condemned Caus’s behavior.
“This is one of the most disgusting videos I’ve ever seen in a gym,” he declared, noting the recent trend of influencers pushing boundaries in gyms for social media content.
Swoll expressed deep frustration, urging gyms to take more action against such behavior. “Gym owners need to start being more vigilant and kick people out for this,” he stated.
Continuing his impassioned rant, Swoll accused Caus of using the gym setting to promote her OnlyFans account. “I have nothing against OnlyFans; you make money how you want. But keep it at home and out of the gym!” he insisted.
“If you can’t have any self-respect or dignity, at least have some respect for the other people in the gym that have to use that same equipment,” he added.
Swoll’s critique resonated widely, amassing over 22 million views on his post and sparking a wave of support from viewers. Many shared his sentiments, with one commenting, “Welcome to 2024, where you need to tell adults not to rub their junk on things that aren’t theirs or in public.”
Another expressed disbelief, stating, “I’m kinda surprised this doesn’t violate some criminal statute about indecent behavior.” The uproar underscored a growing frustration with such incidents in gym settings.
In response to the backlash, Caus made swift changes to her social media profiles. She set both her Instagram accounts to private and removed most of her TikTok content, leaving only a few workout videos.
However, her X profile remains active, where she posted a follow-up video with the caption, “Hello haters,” accompanied by explicit images.
This move reignited the public’s reaction, drawing further criticism and sparking heated discussions online. Gym professionals like Franco Betancourt have noticed an uptick in similar incidents linked to social media stunts.
Betancourt, a high-performance training expert, shared that gyms are starting to impose stricter policies to curb such behavior, although he advised against banning recording devices altogether.
As Swoll’s condemnation continues to stir conversation, it has spotlighted critical issues around gym etiquette, personal boundaries, and the responsibilities of influencers.
His stance has struck a chord with a weary public, voicing concern over what they see as declining respect for shared spaces.
