Gym Etiquette Dispute Erupts Over Unnoticed Workout in Bali
A British strength coach based in Bali has faced widespread online mockery after she publicly criticised men at a gym for deliberately not looking at her during an exaggerated exercise routine. The incident, which unfolded at a fitness centre in Canggu, has ignited a fierce debate about gym etiquette, social media behaviour, and perceptions of entitlement in shared workout spaces.
Video Backfires as Viewers Question Claims
Danica Kennedy, the strength coach involved, posted a video on social media showing herself performing a tiptoe-style exercise while three men in the background continued their own workouts without glancing her way. Rather than interpreting their behaviour as normal gym courtesy, Ms Kennedy labelled the men as "b*tches" and accused them of intentionally ignoring her to make her feel awkward.
The footage was captioned with phrases like "POV you are trying to open your toes but the gym bros are confused," and included on-screen labels such as "flabbergasted" and "side eyes" directed at the men. However, many viewers quickly pointed out that the men appeared entirely focused on their training, with no visible signs of paying attention to her.
Social Media Influencers and Participants Weigh In
The baffling video gained significant traction online, eventually catching the attention of Joey Swoll, a prominent American TikToker known for calling out poor gym behaviour. Swoll criticised Ms Kennedy's stance, stating, "This is absolutely ridiculous. This woman isn't upset because those men are staring at her. She's actually upset that they're not looking at her."
He added that she seemed irritated because she believed her workout was so impressive that everyone should be watching, to the point where she claimed they were trying too hard not to look. Australian calisthenics coach Matt Butterworth, one of the men featured in the original clip, expressed shock at being accused of deliberately making Ms Kennedy uncomfortable.
Defence from the Accused and Escalating Exchange
Mr Butterworth explained that he was simply concentrating on his own workout at the time. "She's zooming in on my face while I'm minding my own business, mostly looking down," he said. "Apparently I was side eyeing her and intentionally not looking at her to make her feel awkward because she was doing some alternative workout for whatever reason."
He emphasised that he was merely desensitised to unconventional training methods and apologised if he seemed disinterested, clarifying it was not intentional. In response, Ms Kennedy asserted, "The energy was so off. If I wasn't strong in myself I would have left the gym floor. I tried to make contact with you, to smile and congratulate your handstand practice but you were clearly going out of your way to not look my way. We women pick up on everything."
Broader Implications for Social Media Authenticity
Mr Butterworth later clapped back, stating, "I'm sorry but the level of entitlement here and reaching is a bit much." He has since reflected on the episode, highlighting how misleading social media content can be. "A lot of videos you see online are completely done for the algorithm and for views, and a lot of it can be totally fabricated," he noted.
He urged people to realise that in gym environments, most individuals are solely focused on their own workouts, not on others. The Daily Mail has reached out to Ms Kennedy for further comment, but the incident continues to resonate as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of creating content for viral attention in shared public spaces.
