Trainer-blogger insulted a gym visitor in Novaya Baravaya. Now she complains about bullying
Trainer-blogger Polina Zagurskaya was recording a video in the LifeCity gym. A visitor accidentally walked into the frame. "Pure observation in the gym: only ugly girls walk in front of cameras," Polina wrote and became an anti-star of social networks.
Polina Zagurskaya
Polina Zagurskaya is a trainer who works at the LifeCity gym. To develop her personal brand, she also tries to be a blogger. Her success is still modest: fewer than 1500 followers on Instagram.
Unexpectedly, the woman became famous. But, as they say, there's a nuance.
Polina was filming another video when a LifeCity visitor accidentally walked into the frame. She probably didn't see the camera, which was quite far from the trainer.
It seemed like — nothing special. It's logical that in a public place there can be people who are not obligated to monitor whether a hidden camera is installed somewhere.
But Polina decided to turn this situation into a news item. She published a post on her page with text quite insulting to the gym visitor: "Pure observation in the gym: only ugly girls walk in front of cameras."
Caught in a wave of criticism, Polina deleted the post. But the internet remembers everything: the screenshot started circulating on social media, and the discussion about the trainer continued.
The author of the post shared his view of the situation: "Actually, this is a very sad situation. I've been training for a long time and I can say that people in the gym are very friendly 95% of the time. No one has ever refused to share equipment or even spot sometimes. I am against concepts like 'snowdrops' [a colloquial term for seasonal gym-goers]. Well done to everyone who decided to take care of themselves — be it fitness, dancing, pilates, or pull-up bars. Only those who break discipline, order, behave aggressively, or insult others deserve condemnation. A kick in the butt – train at home and film yourself however you want."
He also apologized to the same girl in the frame and added that if she happens to see this discussion, she should know: everyone spoke out in her defense.
Indeed, most commentators were outraged that someone was filming in the gym: "I dream that filming in gyms would be banned. I hate these 'operators' with all my heart. People often come to the gym in a vulnerable state: they don't know the equipment, they haven't yet achieved their desired form — and then there are cameras filming from all sides," "It seemed to me that a gym is created for workouts and maintaining health, not for trainers showing off in front of the camera. Such a person should not work with people if they treat potential clients this way and speak about them like that. Respect, support, and professionalism should be the basis of a trainer's work, not mockery and humiliation of those who have just started working on themselves."
Polina Zagurskaya. Screenshot of a story on her Instagram
One commentator said she had to give up training at LifeCity because of Zagurskaya's attempts to become a blogger: "I left the gym precisely because of this trainer. I didn't notice the phone that was filming and accidentally walked into the frame. In response, she immediately flew at me with complaints and attacks just because I entered the frame."
By the way, in her Instagram, Zagurskaya advises people to check a trainer's social networks before going to their training session. Allegedly, one needs to understand their communication style. And she added: people often say she is mean.
One of Nasha Niva's readers contacted LifeCity with a question whether such behavior by the trainer was considered acceptable in the gym. They replied that they were already aware of the scandalous situation, and the management had a talk with Zagurskaya. They claim that she has already realized her guilt and is very apologetic.
LifeCity also promised to discuss with the management the idea of banning filming in the gym.
Polina herself indeed published a rather formal post: "I apologize for my statement. I had no right to post such a thing and insult people in any way."
But now she complains about bullying and threatens suicide: "My apologies on Threads are not enough! People want retaliation! Perhaps the only thing I can do is jump out of a window or something similar. And then everyone will return to the gym (those who, it turns out, left because of me) and everyone will be fine!"
There's not much sympathy to be seen — people don't believe in the trainer's sincerity. And the most popular comment gathered over 700 likes and it says: "Interesting: first do some sh*t, and then play the victim. Brilliant."