Studies have found that young adults who view fitness-inspired posts are more likely to experience negative, body-related thoughts. While the content is often framed as promoting health and motivation, researchers say the repeated emphasis on achieving fitness goals can have unintended consequences.
One National Institutes of Health study report found that about 25% of people who follow fitspiration accounts report dissatisfaction when comparing their appearance and fitness to those seen online.
Local gym-goer Jason Harris said the posts can spark mixed reactions.
"Come across them a lot, and you get mixed feelings on them," Harris said.
He added that while many posts can be motivating, they can also contribute to unhealthy self-perceptions.
"Sometimes it does kind of create this body dysmorphia bit where you're looking in the mirror, and you're like, dang, I'm not fit enough or big enough or whatever the case is," Harris said. "But I say the large majority of them are inspiring. They give good advice."
Research examining the relationship between fitspiration content and body image shows that some posts can decrease self-esteem and mood while increasing pressure to achieve unrealistic physiques, particularly among younger audiences.
At the same time, reviews indicate that such content can also encourage exercise and healthier eating habits.
Erin Reilly, another local gym-goer, said she has found encouragement through fitness posts during her own journey.
"But I'd say they're fairly encouraging. I lost a lot of weight recently, so it really helps a lot," Reilly said.
Reilly said she used aspects of the content to develop sustainable habits.
"I kind of just took the information from it and used what I kind of integrated into my fitness journey with daily habits," she said. "I focus on my eating first and then I really wasn't comfortable going to the gym until I lost some weight. And then I kind of felt comfortable and then realized it wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be and really enjoy it now."
Experts advise social media users to be cautious and to research the content they consume, noting that some posts can be misleading due to camera angles, lighting and editing that create an idealized image.
For those starting a fitness journey, both Harris and Reilly emphasized taking a gradual approach and focusing on individual goals.
"A thousand miles begins with one step. Getting to the gym is half the battle right there. Then do something and then increase your knowledge, and then you'll figure out where you're supposed to be," Harris said.
Reilly echoed that advice.
"So just start slow and do what you can reasonably do, and then time passes anyway. Just continue on your journey there," she said.
The findings highlight the complex role social media plays in shaping health behaviors and perceptions, offering both motivation and challenges for those striving to improve their fitness.
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