Joey Swoll, the self-proclaimed “CEO of Gym Positivity,” has once again stepped in to call out behaviour he says has no place in fitness spaces — this time blasting a viral video of a woman rubbing herself on gym equipment.
The American bodybuilder, who has built a huge online following by highlighting questionable conduct in gyms, posted his latest takedown after the clip began circulating widely on social media. Swoll, who boasts 7.9 million TikTok followers, opened his response with a frustrated sigh.
He begins the video by saying: “I can’t believe that this even has to be said but in 2025, can we please stop rubbing ourself on gym equipment, just to sell more subscriptions to our ‘exclusive content’?”
The video in question shows the woman filming herself in a mirror before leaning suggestively against a squat bar — a stunt Swoll condemned as unhygienic and disrespectful to fellow members.
“You do know that other people have to use that equipment too, right?” Swoll said. “This behaviour is disgusting, and it needs to stop. If you think it’s okay to do, then shame on you. You’re part of the problem.”
Swoll also pushed back against critics who accuse him of secretly promoting such influencers by amplifying their clips.
“First off, my videos make a difference. I’ve had these people removed from gyms, their posts taken down, legal action against them, I’ve had entire social media accounts taken down.”
He went further, labelling those who financially support such content as complicit.
“If you are someone who sees these videos, and you’re dumb enough to go to their page and subscribe to them, or support them, then you’re part of the problem.”
The fitness creator closed with a message directly aimed at the woman in the video: “To this young woman, keep the OF content at home, and out of the gym. You need to do better. Mind your own business.”
This isn’t the first time Swoll has clashed with gym influencers over provocative content. Last year, he went viral after calling out Brazilian OnlyFans model Sarah Caus, who was filmed rubbing herself against a barbell mid-session. Swoll labelled that clip “one of the most disgusting videos I’ve ever seen in the gym” and urged owners to ban such behaviour.
“And all for what? So she can sell more subscriptions to her OF. And listen, I have nothing against OF. You make money how you want, but keep it at home and out of the gym! 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.”
As usual, Swoll’s comments drew a wave of backing online. “Your work is appreciated Joey! Can’t agree enough,” one person said, with another saying: “Please stop. I just want to take my sons to the gym in peace.”
“Why is this even a thing? I would lose my mind if I saw somebody doing that in my gym,” a third commented.
It seems his callout struck a chord — the original influencer has since deleted her post.
For Swoll, though, the mission continues. From viral etiquette takedowns to campaigns against gym harassment, his message remains consistent: gyms should be spaces for fitness, not content farming.
Featured image credit: X/@JoeySwoll
