Cameras installed in men’s locker rooms at some DC VIDA Fitness locations

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) – Members at multiple D.C. VIDA Fitness locations are threatening to cancel their memberships after cameras were installed in men’s locker rooms.

Members at VIDA locations on U Street NW and in the Logan Circle neighborhood said the cameras went up without much notice.

Members who spoke with DC News Now Tuesday said they were shocked to see the cameras and confused as to why they went up in the first place.

It’s not clear if or when those cameras will be turned on, VIDA told Logan Circle members in a message Tuesday afternoon that it’s “pausing implementation” of those cameras.

Photos taken inside both locations today showed cameras throughout the men’s locker rooms, some near the showers and sinks.

A gym member who snapped photos of the camera spoke to DC News Now but wanted to remain anonymous.

“I felt that it’s a total violation of our privacy,” that gym member said. “People walk around the locker room without clothing on all the time. People are going to forget that those cameras are there.”

He said if the cameras stay up, he may be looking for a new gym.

Members got a message about the men’s locker room cameras through the VIDA Fitness app.

“We got a message saying they were installing it, but there’s no reason as to why,” said Frank Little, a long-time VIDA member.

The message said the cameras are for increasing visibility for safety and security purposes, also saying that monitoring will be “discreet and only accessible by trained monitoring technicians.”

It’s not clear if cameras will be added to women’s locker rooms as well.

Still, members are raising concerns about who has access to the camera footage.

“What is the need to be filmed? Who is looking at this footage? How is the footage being stored or maintained?” Little asked.

DC News Now reached out to VIDA Fitness leadership Tuesday and did not hear back in time for publication.

A manager at the K Street NW location told DC News Now they do not have any locker room cameras installed.

DC News Now also reached out to D.C.’s Office of the Attorney General for comment on the legal implications of locker room cameras but has not heard back yet.

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