10 Truths Of The Fitness Industry

To preface...these are MY opinions regarding MY experiences in the fitness industry. There are a LOT of amazing people in the fitness industry who do offer raw and truthful advice about health and fitness. However, there are a lot of people out there who are just in it for the money. There is also A LOT of information out there that is completely wrong and misleading.

So my biggest piece of advice...do your OWN research before you purchase any product or believe any information on social media! My point with this post is to share with you the reality of the fitness industry and to uncover some of the BS and misleading advice.

1. You don't need visible abs or a huge butt to be considered fit

PLEASE GET THIS OUT OF YOUR HEAD!!! who knows how photographed half of these pictures we all see on Instagram are. And frankly visible abs and a large butt do not determine how physically healthy you are!

2. Most workout plans sold can be found for free online

I have purchased many different workout guides and have tried many different apps. I think it can become overwhelming when you first embark on your fitness journey because one workout guide promises you this and another promises that etc. Let me tell you...most exercises sold in a workout guide can all be found for free with google. Don't be lazy, just do some googling.

3.Weight lifting will not make you bulky

Simply lifting weights will not make one's body double in mass. In order to "bulk" or even gain significant physical size, weight lifting AND diet (you must be in caloric surplus) go hand in hand.

4. You do not NEED to count macros

When I first started working out I realized that so many people on Instagram who had a lot of followers and great bodies counted macros. So I purchased a macro counting plan and hired a coach to help me. Long story short, my coach was not very helpful and I found better information on counting macros in my nutrition textbook.

5. People get sent free products and/or paid to post about them

I fell into this trap. I was so excited when a company reached out to me and told me they would send me free products if I wrote a good review about them. The product they sent me ended up being horrible but I felt obligated to make a great post about it. LIES!!! Even I am guilty of it.

6. The fitness industry is a business

Please remember that selling workout plans/apps/meal plans etc. are careers for some people. This is how some people make a living. So they will do what it takes (most times) to get your money..even if that means feeding their customers empty promises. I have had many poor experiences with coaches whom could care less if I actually achieved my goals. One thing they DID care about was my paypal payment.

7. Most pictures are edited

Even if it is as little as face blurring or a filter. These small edits can completely change a picture. It is amazing how certain filters on VSCO make it look like I have a shredded six pack.

8. Fitness Instagram/you tube stars are not heroes.

I think it is amazing what some people do and I am NOT disregarding their hard work. I think there are many great athletes in the fitness industry. I think it is great to admire someone but working out all day/making a workout app does not make you a hero. The whole fitness Instagram worshiping needs to stop.

9. You do not need to shred for summer or bulk for winter

I find it fascinating how when the seasons change everyone becomes obsessed with bulking or shredding. There is no need to shred for the summer or bulk during the winter (unless you are engaging in a competition). There is NO NEED to change you physique just because it is summer time or winter time. I don't think it's healthy to justify bulking during the winter because you can just wear baggy clothes and eat a lot of food and no one will notice or shred during the summer because you have to look good in a bikini. How is that healthy?

10. Just because someone posted a picture of food doesn't mean they actually ate it

Food photography is a thing and aesthetic looking food does receive a lot of engagement and likes on Instagram. So just because someone posted a picture of their fancy looking pasta does not mean they ate it right away...there's a great possibility it was taken just to get a few thousand likes and to be hashtaged #foodporn.