Red Flags: Fitness Edition š©
Health and Wellness are often just repackaged versions of Diet Culture. They are rife with fatphobia, ableism, and classist ideas. If you want to learn more about that, you can check out my āBody Positivity and Diet Cultureā post.
Here are a few of my fitness red flags:
āToningā isnāt it!
1ļøā£ Toning is just a marketing word targeted at women and once again rooted in anti-fatness (fatphobia) and keeping women small.
Toningā preys on the idea that women need to build long and lean muscles as opposed to looking too big or too strong. The reality is, everyone is different and building strength is gonna look different on everyone.
Got crunches? You may not need them!
2ļøā£ Crunches are super popular but they are not going to "build a six pack" and you're probably going to hurt your neck. A lot of folks struggle with proper form and breath when it comes to crunches.
This can make them less effective and even lead to injury. You're better off doing full body movements and learning to engage and brace your core.
Sweat does not equal āworkā
3ļøā£ The amount you sweat has nothing to do with how hard you're working. Depending on how warm it is, how hydrated you are, and how much you naturally sweat, results may vary.
We could be in the same class and have totally different amounts of sweat production and it does not show how hard we have worked. Also, not all workouts need to be intentionally difficult. You can move for the sake of moving.
Beware the 30 day challenge
4ļøā£ Anyone using their body to advertise their work is completely omitting the role of genetics, economic status, food access, and time. This is often used to shame fat people (fatphobia) for existing in their bodies in an attempt to turn them into a ātransformationā.
Fitness challenges can increase your risk of injury by pushing you to go past your bodies limits. We can all move the same and eat the same and we would look different. Also, assuming people have access to the same food and exercise resources is kind of bullshit.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
If you encounter these, just be cautious. I am not saying a 30 day challenge canāt potentially be fun, it just may contain more extreme dieting and lead to disordered eating. I am not saying to never do crunches, but if you feel them only in your neck and back, are they even worth it?
What are your red Flags?
These were a few of our fitness red flags! What are things that make you feel more cautious in a fitness space?
Consider joining my membership! This is a body positive space that allows you to be YOU! There is not toxic diet culture, live and recorded classes, and an amazing community! (This post was edited in March of 2024 to reflect updated links)
If you found this perspective valuable, I'd greatly appreciate your feedback and support. Share this with a friend or drop a comment below.