Everything You Need To Know About The S’pore Gym ‘Hidden’ CCTV Saga Happening Right Now

What if you realise that a resting area, whereby you’d be so relaxed that you’d let go of everything (excluding your clothes of course), is under surveillance?

You probably won’t be so relaxed.

Apparently, that’s what happened to a gym in Singapore.

Surveillance camera found in Women-only area

On 15 March 2019, Virgin Active Singapore was put under the spotlight with their Facebook post in response to the presence of a CCTV camera located in an area strictly for females; the Relax and Recovery Zone.

This issue was first brought to light by a member of the gym who took to social media in disbelief.

And then, the virgin spoke.

Virgin Active first speaks up

Upon catching wind of the member’s post online, Virgin Active Singapore posted their response on Facebook, and here’s a breakdown of their response:

1. It’s a shared area exclusively for female members.
2. Bathrobes are available for them to wear (Like everyone else, I was baffled. There must be a reason for this particular area to be women-only, so if male members are physically restricted, why are they allowed entry via the CCTV camera?)
3. They do not suggest members to do “stretches” there as it would be a waste of membership fees (Instead of truly worrying about the well-being of female members, they brought up hygiene and membership fees. On the topic of safety and stretching, having paid for the gym, members are free to stretch wherever they deem fit so long as it doesn’t inconvenience other gym-goer)
4. And this, which cannot be paraphrased because…just read lah: “But if you did think our staff have ill intentions and do not show the due respect that the female body should have, come have a chat with us! We’re always open to share with you the values that all our staff embody. (Clearly, they don’t think they are in the wrong)

So, there’s an issue of privacy, and it was this Facebook post that made it even more viral.

What the members/ public had to say

Shortly after the post was uploaded on Facebook, netizens were enraged and genuinely expressed their concerns through comments left on the same post.

At this point, their staff replying the comments still treated the issue at hand as a joke saying, “we celebrate body positivity just like anyone living in the now times and is morally obligated to stay woke and is part of the me too movement”

Really, Virgin Active?

Netizen Chloe Fair explained rationally from a member’s point of view why people are getting worked up and even provided suggestions for Virgin Active to improve on.

According to her, the communal area under surveillance is right next to the shower and sauna rooms “where people are at maximum in a robe or towel and possibly less” and as a member for 2 years, it’s natural for her to feel angry that she and the other users were filmed unknowingly.

In response to the gym operator’s safety concerns, netizen Pearlyn Chan rebutted with many examples to prove otherwise – from lack of AED machines to first aider and precise safety instructions.

All in all, majority of the comments requested for Virgin Active to put up relevant signage and inform users of the CCTV.

Virgin Active takes corrective action

After staying off the radar for awhile, Virgin Active released an official apology on 19 March 2019 via their Facebook page. According to the post, the CCTV was in place solely for the purpose of “monitoring any intrusions into the club from the fire escape door.” It also assured everyone that there are no cameras located within the changing and shower rooms.

It was also mentioned that the employee previously responding to the public was counselled and “will be attending training to be aware of the intrinsic sensitivities our members have”.

Since then, they have erected temporary signage to inform members of the exact location the CCTV is facing, while waiting for the permanent one to arrive, in addition to the public’s suggestion to “reangle the camera more towards the fire escape”

Moral of the story: Fighting fire with fire is a big no-no in Crisis Management. It’s always wise to think from your customer’s perspective.

Is this gym related to Richard Branson’s Virgin Group?

Here’s the shocker: yes, it is, though the majority shareholder isn’t the group now. It currently has six outlets in Singapore, and has over 240 outlets worldwide.

So, yeah: even a big brand name make mistakes. If you consider this a mistake, that is.