Dohertys Gym announces new filming rules soon after ‘don’t be an entitled c**t’ spray from owner

Dohertys Gym — that has introduced tough new rules on selfie videos — says privacy protection of people in the background and safety concerns are behind the move, that has divided members.

The owner of Dohertys Gym — that has controversially banned filming of workouts without a “media pass” and consent from those in the background — says he’s getting a groundswell of support for the tough move.

The gym has banned selfie tripods, among a growing list of rules.

The 10 “house rules”, recently posted on the well-known gym’s social media, prohibits not only iPhone tripods “without a media pass”, but also “excessive grunting” and demands everyone — and all equipment — in the gym be treated with respect.

Doherty’s 24/7 Gym in Brunswick has informed members, that as of this week, “there are no tripods allowed in all Dohertys gyms”.

The chain’s gyms are located in Brunswick, Dandenong, Melbourne’s CBD and Perth.

Tripods are commonly used to put iPhones on, so gym junkies can film themselves — frequently in mirrors — as they work out.

Often these are posted on the members’ own social media platforms, for likes.

“It is our duty of care to provide safety protection and privacy for all our members. Tripods have become a trip hazard and a safety concern … filming on tripods will no longer be permitted at Dohertys gyms,” Dohertys posted on social media this week.

Tony Doherty, who runs Dohertys Gym. Picture: Alex Coppel

The gym has introduced a controversial no selfie tripods rule. Picture: Instagram

The gym added “media passes” could be “purchased” if customers insisted on videoing their workouts, but those filming needed to be conscious of who was in the background and obtain permission from those people.

“If you must take a quick video with your phone while you are training, please be aware of anyone in the background and make sure you have their consent to post or share their image if they are. If you do not obtain consent it is an infringement of privacy — please show respect for others,” it warned.

Earlier this year, gym owner Tony Doherty took to social media to blast members who didn’t observe gym etiquette by packing their weights away when they had finished training, with an expletive-laden warning, including “don’t be an entitled c---”.

Tony Doherty also issued a gym etiquette warning. Picture: Instagram

Doherty is known as a colourful character. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Please put your weights away after you finish using them … I am not special. You are not special. We are equals in the gym and entitled selfish behaviour should not be tolerated. No exceptions and no excuses. Feel welcome to share this reminder of gym etiquette. Lead by example and make everyone feel welcome at the gym. It is a sacred place to us @dohertysgym and should be treated as such,” he said, ending the lecture with a punching fist emoji.

Filming weights and butt workouts is common in gyms. Picture: Instagram

Doherty told the Herald Sun on Friday he implemented the tripod ban not just for safety reasons but to protect the privacy of people who may not want to be seen in the background of other members’ social posts.

He said selfie filming of workouts had “got out of hand” across the fitness industry and he had received a lot of support for his tough stance in stamping it out.

“It’s just gone too far,” he said of the workout filming trend.

Many Herald Sun readers applauded Doherty’s tough stance on smart phone use during workouts, saying it was their pet peeve among gym members and more gyms should follow suit and ban selfie filming.

Some said the move made them want to change gyms, to go to Dohertys.

But the crackdown has not gone over well with all its existing gym members, with one commenting:

“Too many rules enforced too harshly. You should look at getting back to operating 24hrs and serving your clients right instead of putting even more limitations. There’s another gym in Melbourne who has blazed forward opening amazing gyms all over the place giving people amazing membership deals and absolutely revolutionising the whole industry while Dohertys publicly shames people who don’t put their weights away and calls them f**kwits while posting their picture on social media. We pay money to go to your gyms. Treat us with a little respect. As far as tripods go, yes they’re a bother … but only if you’re the type of person that allows it to become a bother to you. Seriously considering cancelling my membership and going to Derrimut. At least they know how to treat their customers.”

Another questioned if the “purchasing” of media passes to allow filming was “more like a money grab”, while yet another said “I’m turning up in wearing nothing but body paint, with a quadpod, and will sue for my first amendment rights if anyone infringes upon my art”.

It also has some very devoted members. Picture: Instagram

Tony Doherty inside one of his gyms, where tripods are now banned. Picture: David Geraghty

Yet others said they it looked like they would be “banned” under the tough new video rules.

Dohertys Gym and its owner Tony Doherty have previously been linked to bikies and scandal.

Former bikie boss Toby Mitchell was talking to Tony Doherty outside his Brunswick gym when he was shot several times in late 2011.

And in 2013 the Herald Sun learned of links between Dohertys Gym and Shane Charter, the convicted drug trafficker linked to the scandal that engulfed the AFL’s Bombers.

It was at Dohertys Brunswick gym two decades ago that Charter is alleged have met a supplements supplier who would prove useful to Charter’s drug-dealing ambitions.

Prosecution documents revealed a supplements supplier, then based in Brunswick, gave Charter the small plastic bottles he later filled with the pseudoephedrine tablets that saw him charged.

Doherty said in March 2013 he didn’t know Charter.

“He’s not a member, and if he’s come here it hasn’t been for 15 years. People come from all walks of life and everyone leaves their hat at the door. Exercise is one of the best things for people, whatever their story,” Doherty said at the time.

In more recent times, Tony Doherty has spoken out against former Premier Dan Andrews’ Covid lockdowns and restrictions on gyms and opposed supervised drug injecting rooms in Melbourne’s CBD.

Originally published as Dohertys Gym announces new filming rules soon after ‘don’t be an entitled c**t’ spray from owner