What investigators allegedly found on a California Planet Fitness member’s phone stunned women

Planet Fitness is facing a wave of legal action as a growing number of women allege the gym chain failed to prevent a member from secretly recording patrons inside private tanning and red-light therapy rooms at a California location, as reported by KEYT.

Allegations of Secret Recording

The lawsuits center on accusations against 40-year-old Kyle L. Combs of Grover Beach. Prosecutors allege that Combs filmed women while they were partially or fully undressed within private tanning booths at the Arroyo Grande Planet Fitness. According to calcoastnews.com, Combs has been charged with 12 misdemeanor counts of invasion of privacy and has pleaded not guilty.

Currently, 14 women have joined four separate civil lawsuits, arguing that Planet Fitness failed to maintain a safe environment. Attorneys for the plaintiffs assert that the gym ignored warning signs and failed to provide adequate protection for its spa facilities, according to Yahoo!

Investigation Reveals Depth of Intrusion

Court filings and police reports indicate that investigators recovered over 50 photos and videos from electronic devices allegedly tied to Combs. These recordings, which took place between January and December 2025, reportedly feature 47 different women. According to sanluisobispo.com, investigators have successfully identified nearly half of those depicted.

One lawsuit claims the breach of security could have been avoided. A member alleges she previously found a man inside her private tanning area and reported the intrusion to gym staff, but claims her warning was ignored. Further complaints suggest that the tanning room locks were vulnerable and could be manipulated from the outside, allowing for unauthorized entry.

The Legal Path Forward

The situation came to a head on Dec. 29, 2025, when a patron reported seeing a cellphone camera pointed into her tanning booth. That report led to a police investigation and subsequent search warrants that linked Combs to the recordings.

While the plaintiffs argue that staff failed to monitor the areas—despite members being required to check in for Black Card amenities—prosecutors noted that California law limits the scope of criminal charges in this instance to misdemeanors rather than felonies. Planet Fitness has not yet issued a detailed response to the allegations, and the criminal case against Combs remains ongoing in San Luis Obispo County. None of the allegations have been proven in court.