People filming their workouts for social media content is “100% an issue” but banning phones in the gym is “just not practical”, a wellness coach has argued. 

This week, Tracy Anderson classes in New York have announced a ban on people using their phones to film while working out. 

On Lunchtime Live, John Belton said phones have become a regular topic of conversation in the industry. 

“I've been in the fitness industry a long time and it's evolved from nobody really caring or knowing what we did,” he recalled. . 

“To it becoming what every algorithm is showing us.

“I'm opening a new facility and I'm going to have a phone-free zone in it. 

“I think gyms are going to have to have a place where you can record if you want to and then a place where you don't take your phone out.”

Mr Belton added that while bad etiquette is “100% an issue”, he feels an outright ban would create its own issues. 

“When it comes to phone usage, recording is definitely a problem,” he said. 

“But sitting there in a machine and taking up the machine is another problem.

“People not going to have their phones on their person in the workout is just not practical. 

“Again, you listen to music podcasts or possibly take it out for a second to look at a programme.

“But yes, it slows down things on machines, people hog machines and then when you ask them if you can step in, they don't move - it's become a real problem.”

Main image: Happy female friends taking selfie through mobile phone in gym. Picture by: Alamy.com