With the rise of social media influencers, there are more and more gym-goers setting up cameras to show off their muscles to followers.

However, with this trend comes the risk of others feeling their privacy is being invaded as they are caught on camera in the background while just trying to stay fit and healthy.

Some people in Kent have stopped going to the gym altogether as the thought of being filmed makes them uncomfortable.

Other issues include tripods getting in the way of workouts – and equipment being hogged.

Now some establishments are banning camera kits altogether, restricting when and where people can record or instructing people to ask for consent from all around them.

Speaking to KentOnline this week, fitness fanatics had varied opinions, with some saying bans are “short-sighted” as such videos are free advertising.

Others admit they fear ending up in the background of someone’s TikTok or Instagram Reel.

Many members of PureGym in Sturry Road, Canterbury, say they would feel uncomfortable being “papped” by an influencer.

Peter Velchev would like to see “more and more gyms implementing such rules”.

The 32-year-old said: “I think sometimes it might be inappropriate.

“I see people all the time taking selfies, especially girls, in the mirrors for Instagram.

“I would worry about being caught on camera if I was in a weird position and people laughed at me – but usually, I wouldn’t.

“I have seen TikTok videos where girls set their phones up and record guys looking at them in the background, then make fun of them.

“Maybe they are just wondering what they are doing recording while they are working out.

“I would like to see rules in more and more gyms.”

Regular visitor to the gym Matt Sears claims his wife will no longer go with him as she doesn’t like other people filming.

The 34-year-old explained: “For me, I don’t feel uncomfortable but my wife does and I can see where she’s coming from with that.

“She doesn’t come to the gym with me because she is worried about being filmed.

“She has felt very uncomfortable with this kind of stuff before.”

He also feels sometimes people go to gyms just to get content for social media.

“It depends on the context,” he added.

“A lot of the time I don’t mind that much but it is the kind of people that go just to do that which annoys me the most.

“I think it’s right that gyms are cracking down on it.”

Nineteen-year-old Annabel Murphy would not be happy if she was videoed on a machine she found difficult.

Miss Murphy, who works out four to five days a week, told KentOnline: “It would depend on what I was doing as to whether I would mind getting caught in the background.

“There are some machines I feel comfortable doing and there are others I’m not as good at and wouldn’t feel so comfortable, so it would depend on what they caught me doing in the video.

“If they caught me on a bad one I would feel embarrassed that maybe my form was wrong or something.

“Some people have legal reasons they don’t want to be filmed or don’t feel confident enough.

“I think selfies could be saved for the gym changing rooms or once you get home.”

PureGym member Kieran Morgan finds the practice acceptable, providing anyone caught in the picture is made aware.

The 23-year-old explained: “I think it’s OK but I think it would be best – if they were to get someone else in the video – just to inform them that they are recording, especially if they are then going to post it online.

“Otherwise, that is being published without their consent and they may not be comfortable with it.”

Kay Kibala can see why businesses are banning the practice, but would not mind being in someone else's video himself.

“From the gym’s perspective, I get their point of view.” the 36-year-old said.

“I think legally you are allowed to film if it’s in a public space and I don’t think the gym is so they are within their rights to stop it.

“I wouldn’t worry about getting caught in the background of someone’s video because it's just the gym.”

The Guardian reported this week that Pure Muscles Gym in Walthamstow, north London, has banned the use of tripods at weekends – and some of the bigger chains are taking action too.

However, some people think banning filming is not the way forward.

Hythe-based fitness Youtuber Matt Morsia told KentOnline: “If a gym’s going to start banning people from filming, that feels a bit excessive to me.

“As long as people aren’t leaving enormous tripods in everyone’s way or rocking up with an entire film crew I really don’t see an issue with it.

“I’ve trained in gyms where no one films but I’ve also used ones where literally everyone has a camera and to be honest, neither affects me.

“I don’t let someone else’s actions stop that from happening or dictate how I feel, and ultimately, if everyone had that mindset there wouldn’t be an issue.”

The 37-year-old former PE teacher has more than two million subscribers and posts daily clips about training and nutrition.

Mr Morsia, who also has his own gym franchise, added: “It’s also a bit of a short-sighted move because, ultimately, people filming and posting online is a great - and free - promotion for them.

“The only other thing to consider is capturing someone in your content without their permission.

“Now again, if someone is a blurry spec in the background of a video I don’t think anyone can have an issue with that.

“But, if I’m filming and I think someone’s ended up being fairly prominent in my video, I’ll speak to them and say: ‘Look, I’ve just filmed this clip - are you happy to be in the background?’

“Almost always, no one cares.

“Ultimately, as is the case with anything in life, as long as people are considerate of their actions, filming in a gym should never be an issue.”

Chase Coles, who owns and runs CrossFit Great Stour in Ashford, shares a similar opinion.

At his gym, there are no rules regarding videography or photography – and he doesn’t plan to introduce any.

The business owner said: “As far as I know, we have never had anyone complain or even mention being caught in the back of someone’s video.

“We have more control, as we only have 12 people in the gym at one time.

“Big commercial ones are a completely different kettle of fish.

“It’s harder for people at those gyms to not capture anyone else on camera.”

Some of the benefits his members gain from filming workouts include a chance to celebrate their achievements on social media and gain feedback from coaches.

The 40-year-old explained: “A lot of our members, when they achieve something they have been training towards for a long time, they will post it on their channels and celebrate it.

“It might be a personal best or learning a new skill.

“They share it and tag us which is good for us from a business perspective as we get a lot of referral customers.

“We don’t have any plans to introduce rules around filming but if there was a camera in the way and it was a safety issue we would move it.”

PureGym states it has always maintained rules against filming on its premises.

A spokesperson said: “It is important to respect one another’s privacy, which is why our gym rules clearly state that people should not take photographs or videos on the premises unless they have permission.

“We also ask people in our premises to not post remarks or imagery to the internet (including social media platforms) that may identify another person.”

Chain Anytime Fitness’ rulebook says: “You may not take photos or videos of other members without their consent.”

Similarly, Fitness First tells customers: “Please be respectful of other people's privacy when using personal technology in the club.

“You must get prior permission from all the people who will appear in any photograph you take or video footage you make whilst in the club.”