The gym is often promoted as a safe space where people from all walks of life have the ability to improve themselves each and every day. And this, for the most part, is true. The gym is a great way to release anger, take the mind away from a stressful day, or even a place to spend time if you are bored and have nothing better to do. However, as social media grows and the fitness industry becomes more popular, many influencers on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, or YouTube present unrealistic body standards and odd diets.”
Over the past few years, the fitness industry has been exponentially growing, increasing the number of influencers across all social media platforms. As all of these factors are rising, the expectations on what must be posted and promoted have also increased. When you look on an influencer’s platform, you might see hundreds of pictures in perfect lighting with a great muscle pump, which results from blood pumping through your muscles to make them appear larger.
As many younger people see these pictures and “dream physiques,” they are driven to achieve something like it. While these goals can encourage people to be healthier, they can also lead to body comparisons and body dysmorphia since teenagers don’t realize that these bodybuilders have been lifting for years and are a product of a serious workout regime.
In addition, as more diets such as keto, carnivore, vegan, and many others have become relatively popular, people fail to realize that unless there is a medical need, there should be no reason to cut out certain food groups, like carbohydrates and fats. In fact, you need these carbohydrates, fats, sugars, and proteins for your body to sustain itself.
However, the fitness industry does promote good things as well, like body positivity, being able to change, and learning how to be a healthier individual. People in the gym are not one to judge others and are always willing to help lift you and teach you new things. More often than not, going to the gym provides a safe space where you can truly work on yourself and not be worried about what other people think.
“People say it’s just the gym, but it helped me push myself further than I ever thought I could and become more confident in who I really am. It’s definitely more than just the gym,” shares Cassandra Dement (Alumni). While it has flaws, the gym is a place to learn what works for you and what doesn’t. It’s a place to grow and make genuine changes, and it also tests how consistent you are.
