Arroyo Grande Planet Fitness Named In Lawsuit Alleging Females Secretly Filmed

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) - A lawsuit was filed on Tuesday against Planet Fitness and two of its franchisees, including one here on the Central Coast.

The legal action alleges female members were filmed in various stages of undress while using a tanning booth.

The lawsuit says the fitness chain failed to prevent a member from secretly recording nearly 50 female gym members undressed in a tanning booth at its Arroyo Grande location over a period of less than one year.

The lawsuit stems from an incident on Dec. 29 last year when an 18-year-old college student was secretly filmed inside the Arroyo Grande location while using a standing tanning booth.

The perpetrator is said to have used a cell phone, pushing it through a crack in the booth door.

A police investigation revealed the incident was not isolated, as the perpetrator had recorded more than 50 videos of approximately 47 female members in various states of undress within the same tanning booth area over nearly 12 months.

According to the lawsuit, Planet Fitness employees were in the immediate vicinity during multiple incidents, reportedly witnessing the perpetrator's erratic and suspicious behavior on numerous occasions.

Despite this, the gym's staff allegedly failed to intervene, warn members, or take corrective action. 

The gym's own policy explicitly prohibits photography in tanning rooms.

The corporate offices at Planet Fitness have issued the following statement:

“At Planet Fitness, the safety and privacy of our members is our top priority, and we do not tolerate inappropriate behavior of any kind. We can confirm the franchise group has cancelled the member in question and is working closely with the local police in their investigation. As this is an ongoing investigation, we refer any additional inquiries to the local authorities.”

The Arroyo Grande Police Department is in the midst of this active investigation.

Administrative Sergeant Jeremy Burns says they’ve identified the suspect but an arrest has not yet been made and they’ll be keeping the individual’s identity private for the time being.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With The Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.