On the first of the month, The Edge Fitness Club announced an addition to its traditional workout space: a first-of-its-kind gym selfie room at the club’s Fairfield, Conn., location.
Citing a recent online survey commissioned by the club and conducted by The Harris Poll, The Edge claims that from a sample of more than 1,500 U.S. adults polled who have spent time in a commercial gym or fitness studio, 43 percent have taken photos or video footage of the experience, while 27 percent have taken a selfie.
In response to this data, The Edge undertook to introduce the gym selfie room — complete with lighting, hair products and fitness accessories — to cater to a growing trend in the industry.
“The Edge Fitness Clubs continues to be a leader in fitness trends and experiences,” said VP of marketing and customer experience Gillian Plummer. “Our first location in the Hartford, Conn., area, which opened thirty years ago, offered group exercise classes before they were a staple in other gyms. Now we’re raising the bar again by offering this state-of-the-art selfie room that gives our members a premium, private area to show how their hard work has paid off.”
Unfortunately for the club, the idea was not met with the anticipated enthusiasm. Gym members took to Twitter to express everything from exasperation to outrage at what was perceived as unnecessary at best and at worst a sign of the degradation of society.
Because we aren’t already narcissistic about taking photos? This would add to trauma of so many suffering from loneliness and depression b/c they are already living vicariously through sm, adding to the problem. Gym 4 improving health not about adding to issues
— Angie Rehal (@akrred) April 4, 2018
God no. Thats so pompous and self serving. I hate when I see people at the gym checking themselves out. Get over it
— Jim Smit (@jimkiss) April 4, 2018
Though not all of the feedback was negative — many people regard the gym selfie as a harmless and even helpful way to celebrate personal successes and motivate others, after all — the general tone of feedback on the Gym Selfie Room was enough to delay, perhaps indefinitely, its implementation.
I think it should be a thing! They always say part of feeling great is looking great, so if you’ve gained more muscle, why not broadcast it to your followers on social media?
— Franco N (@FrancoCNac) April 4, 2018
A spokesperson for The Edge told health.com, “As of now, we are unsure … if it will come to fruition. The Edge is taking into account the feedback they received from our members and are evaluating from there.”
