“Fitspiration” is a social media sensation, but you should
always proceed with caution.
The impact of social media on our daily lives can be seen just about everywhere
we turn. From scrolling to selfies to posting, as an American society
we spend countless hours a day perusing one social platform or another
(or many). One significant area of our lives that social media has impacted
– and grabbed this orthopedic surgeon's attention – is
in the health and wellness space, especially regarding fitness. I am a
firm and passionate believer in a focus on fitness over the entire lifespan.
Athleticism isn't only for young people, and it doesn't have to
end when you hit a certain age. Research shows that a commitment to health
and wellness in your youth can translate to substantial health benefits
and reduce the risk of various illnesses and chronic conditions as we age.
If you scroll through Instagram or Facebook these days, there's no
shortage of posts from social "influencers" espousing the virtues
of the socially-coined term "fitspiration (a mashup of the words
fitness and inspiration)" as well as the hashtag #fitspo (fitness
inspiration or fitspiration, further shortened). And as I browse the selection
of content produced by these individuals, I have dueling thoughts on the
matter. So, it is probably best, and most fair, to begin with, the upside
of the "fitspo" social media craze.
Access – I know it's probably hard to imagine, but not even 20 years ago, if
you wanted to seek ways to get fit you had two options. Your first option
was to join a local gym, pay a monthly fee, and then find the motivation
to drive there daily to exercise. Your second and decidedly more expensive
(so, less accessible to most people) option was to privately hire a personal
trainer to teach you how to exercise and eat right to help achieve your
specific goals. Today, the concept of personal fitness has revolutionized
from those decades-ago options, and social media has played a significant
role. You can now follow trainers online who will show you moves (often
for free) that require no more than your bodyweight to accomplish them.
Talk about convenience! Removing the barriers of cost and travel time
to meet your fitness goals is a massive game-changer for people who want
to get fit, no matter their location or socioeconomic status.
Community
– Another historical roadblock to starting and maintaining a fit lifestyle
is singularity. Humans are social creatures. So, starting down a fitness
path alone can be daunting and discouraging. Today, social media serves
to eliminate the solitude (virtually, at least) by helping individuals
create and find communities of like-minded and goal-matched individuals
who are on the same journey. Whether it's a virtual accountability
partner to keep you motivated or a forum of people like you who are just
starting and want to bounce ideas off of each other, social media can
put a multitude of fitness communities at your fingertips.
Of course, for the significant upside that social media has brought to
the fitness industry, it isn't without its downsides, which can be
substantial, and in some cases, life-threatening.
Credentials – One of the most alarming aspects of the fitspiration social deluge is
just how many individuals demonstrate exercises, peddle wellness products,
or otherwise give advice who have zero credentials, education, or training
that conveys they know what they're talking about. Just because someone
looks good in an Instagram picture doesn't mean you should buy into,
or believe, what they're selling. From dangerous supplements to fitness
moves that someone just starting should never try, I have seen the detriment
that such "influence" can bring. Exercise injuries are real.
Poisoning and internal organ damage from dangerous products are actual.
A deck of carefully curated images should not be the sole reason anyone
takes fitness inspiration or advice from a stranger on the Internet.
Motivation – When starting on a fitness journey, it is crucial to "check"
your motivation. Is your goal to achieve the healthiest YOU possible?
Or is it to look like some (possibly) altered image of someone else on
the Internet? If you're trying to be someone you're not, then
your health journey is going to be a short one. Additionally, never attempt
or overdo fitness moves because you feel pressured to meet a monthly challenge
goal or other "competition." These are recipes for injury disaster.
And finally, if your goal is to show others how good you look while exercising,
I'm also throwing up a big caution sign here. Performing any move
while simultaneously trying to get a great-angled shot of it is so dangerous
and even life-threateningly so in some cases.
The fitness accessibility and potential for the like-minded community that
can be created by social media are outstanding and to be applauded. But
it comes with some personal responsibility and intrinsic motivation-checking
to be ultimately successful in helping you achieve and maintain your fitness
goals. The most significant variable in the equation is YOU. So, don't
do it for the 'Gram, or strangers on the Internet. Do it only and,
most importantly, for YOU.