Gyms are supposed to be a judgment-free zone where people can better themselves physically and mentally. But for one North Carolina woman, a routine trip to Planet Fitness turned into a moment of sheer panic that still haunts her.
Bethany Bloomer, a Winston-Salem local, shared her unsettling experience online, and her story quickly went viral for good reason. While many Planet Fitness locations around the country offer perks like massage chairs and tanning beds, no one expects their self-care session to end in terror. Sadly, this North Carolina location may be worth looking into.
Bethany’s visit to the gym started out like any other. She signed up for a 12-minute session in one of the tanning rooms. But things took a disturbing turn just 10 minutes in when her skin started to feel like it was burning. Concerned, she got out early. That’s when she noticed something that made her stomach drop: the door to her tanning room was wide open. And yes, she was completely naked.
North Carolina Woman Recalls Terrifying Moment In Tanning Bed
Acting fast, Beth slammed the door shut and thanked her lucky stars that no one appeared to have seen her. But even after getting dressed and composing herself, the anxiety from the incident didn’t go away. She marched up to the front desk to demand answers, and what she got only raised more questions.
According to Beth, the Planet Fitness staff told her they didn’t have a key to the tanning rooms. Understandably skeptical, she argued with them, which viewers can see in her now-viral TikTok. The staff then shifted blame to a supposed faulty door. But with no solid explanation and no real accountability, Beth did what most of us would do in that situation: she called the police.
Unfortunately, law enforcement said they couldn’t help, stating there was “no indication that a crime had been committed.” Beth was left shaken, confused, and completely unsatisfied. But things got even more concerning when she discovered that there were no security cameras in the tanning area, not even in the hallway.
Beth called this out as a serious red flag and questioned whether her case was truly a one-time event or part of a bigger problem. She even shared her belief that someone may have actually been in the room with her during the tanning session, a theory that makes the whole situation feel even more chilling.
Tanning Bed Terror
“I feel scared and violated,” Beth shared in her video, her voice cracking as she recounted what happened. While she’s since said she’s doing better mentally, the incident clearly left its mark. She vowed never to return to that Planet Fitness location, and honestly, who could blame her?
Whether this terrifying ordeal was the result of a mechanical error or something far more sinister remains a mystery. But one thing is clear: Bethany Bloomer’s experience has sparked an important conversation about safety and privacy in spaces that are supposed to be secure. With no cameras, vague staff responses, and little follow-up from law enforcement, her story is a sobering reminder that even the most routine activities can take a dark turn.
“Naked and afraid,” one person commented.
“This is so violating,” said another.
Planet Fitness has not publicly responded to the viral video, but the pressure is on. If gyms are going to offer private amenities like tanning beds, they need to ensure those spaces are actually private and, most importantly, safe. For this North Carolina woman and others like her, the damage has already been done. But hopefully, her story can be a wake-up call for better policies, more transparency, and actual accountability moving forward.
Kenna Raye 
Nina Franklin 
Kaitlyn Alexandra 
