Whether you love or hate social media, it is a big part of our lives because it’s pretty difficult to ignore. News media reports on it, Congress investigates it, and many people make a living from it. Social media is great for trainers and coaches to get their message out and for people to preach the gospel according to them.
Trainers and coaches spend much time scrolling social media for ideas and to see what their competition is doing. Then who else better to commentate on the current health and fitness social media trends (as they see it) than coaches?
Their opinions are formed from many years of experience and being at the forefront of making people better. It would be best to listen to them to discover if a trend will stick or fade away.
Why I Love It: Walking is arguably the most accessible form of movement you can engage in. Even though it’s trending (even in my microcosm), it’s still terribly underrated. For those looking to improve their fat loss efforts, it can increase energy expenditure with less risk of driving up hunger signals or dropping the benefits of their NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) output.
Does it help with rapid fat loss? No. Is it sexy? God no. Do you need to hit 10,000 steps a day? No. However, an excellent place to start is by seeing how many steps you get in a day and seeing if you can increase that number.
It’s a great activity if you’re a dog owner (who may need the movement as much as you do) and the barrier to entry is low. Grab a comfortable pair of shoes and go. If treadmills are your best option, it’s also a great way to watch your streaming show of choice while you get your steps in
Pro tip: If you plan on putting in the mileage for your walks, make sure you go through the extra effort of heading to a specialty shoe store to be correctly fitted. Your body will thank you!
My Take: Hard to disagree with Jason here. Before adding more HIIT cardio to your routine, it’s best to up your steps because it shouldn’t cut into your recovery too much.
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Like: High Protein Desserts
Travis Pollen, is an Exercise Science Professor, personal trainer and co-creator of Strength For Yoga program and cofounder 3M Athletic Performance gym.
Why I Love it: Lately, I’ve seen many high-protein dessert recipes on my social media feed. In the last month alone, protein banana bread, protein chocolate brownies, protein ice cream cake, and even protein donuts have been.
When it comes to these macro-friendly versions spins on dessert, I know some coaches would say, “Just eat the damn brownie.” But I’m actually a fan of these high-protein adaptations. When trying to shed a few pounds, I love satisfying my sweet tooth without compromising my goals.
And maybe I’m not the pickiest consumer, but all the recipes I’ve tried have been delicious. Whether starting the day with good old-fashioned protein pancakes or treating myself to some protein cookie dough for a late-night snack, sign me up!
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Dislike: One size fits all wellness approaches
Dr. Bo Babenko, is a physical therapist and strength coach who specializes in strengthening the mind, body, and soul.
Why I Don’t Like It: Guys like Knee Over Toes Guy have become HUGE, he’s taken off the last 1-2 years.
Here is my problem: As a physiotherapist, he is selling it as a CURE ALL and selling the guy in the sunshine with his beautiful wife and baby boy while he dunks basketballs in every other video. While his story and much of the message are great, I have seen many people try out this program to get out of knee pain and come back with results not quite what was promoted.
They present as a scientific group—and I will double down on the fact that I like most of what they talk about—such as utilizing sled pulls! Unfortunately, they are not providing the nuance because it does not sell. Like so many other successful trends on social media, extreme sells, so saying ALL knee pain should go into this program is on the verge of irresponsible to me; at the very least, I will say I believe it to be dangerous.
The lack of proper assessment is a huge red flag for any program being sold to get you out of pain. The lack of an individualized approach is another red flag for getting someone out of knee pain. I wish a magical program or pill worked for knee pain or any other condition. Unfortunately, “It depends” isn’t that simple.
Want an alternative for your knee pain — it might cost more — find a fitness-forward Doctor of Physical Therapy (PTs, by far, have the highest level of education and understanding of how the musculoskeletal system works. You should get one on one time (working outside the insurance model will likely get you much higher-quality results and attention.
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Like: Exercise And Mental Health
Chris Cooper, strength and nutrition coach at Nerd Fitness.
Why I Like It: One of the trends on social media that I have enjoyed seeing pop up is people using exercise and improving their fitness to help their mental health. As someone who has struggled with mental health, training has become one of the many tools I use to keep myself mentally healthy. It’s not the only tool I employ but is a significant component.
Research has shown that being active in whatever way that looks for you can positively affect mental health, including reducing feelings of anxiety and depression and overall improved mood.
I like seeing this positive trend because it emphasizes something other than aesthetics when working out or going to the gym. We’re starting to catch on that there are other reasons to exercise than losing weight.
I Think It Could Be Better: The last time you scrolled through your feed and looked around the gym, you couldn’t help but see glute training. Finally, people are using the squat racks for squats and deadlifts. There used to be a wait at the racks because people used them for curls. Now you’re waiting for the right reasons, even if people take 30 minutes on a rack.
Commercial gym suppliers are in on the trend, too, with the Glute Drive and Booty Builders getting installed everywhere. Using glute-specific equipment, incorporating squats, hip thrusts, and deadlift variations, is a massive upgrade to how people used to train.
The glutes are one of the biggest and strongest muscles in the body, so it always made sense to train them for looks and function. You must train your glutes whether you want speed, power, or looks. While everyone has stepped their game up, many things still need to be clarified.
The glutes don’t only extend your hips like a deadlift; they also perform abduction and external rotation. Other exercises and rep ranges from 5 to 30 must also be performed for fully developed and functional glutes. Spoiler, walking sideways on a Stairmaster or using the Smith machine as an inverted leg press don’t count.
Standing, lying, and seated abductions with a looped band will target those other movements. As long as you train with a purpose rather than workout by blindly following social media videos, you’re good to go, and glute training is one of the best trends I’ve seen in fitness in years.
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Like: Educational Opportunities
Korey Van Wyk,C.S.C.S., is a Trade & Professional Acquisitions Editor for Human Kinetics
Why I Like It: One trend I’ve noticed dominating my social media feeds is a surge of educational opportunities. Since these opportunities are available both in-person and online, there are an unprecedented number of options for learning. This highlights the power of social media in connecting us with people and information we might have yet to find otherwise.
Many of the most influential individuals in my career and training journey met through these opportunities. There are a few factors to consider when deciding where to invest your time and money. Firstly, examine the method of information delivery. Seek opportunities that provide interactive and hands-on experiences.
For instance, if you want to improve your lifting technique, attend workshops with a ton of lifting practice and coaching instead of sitting through lectures.
Similarly, if you’re learning about business, opt for programs offering chances to test your ideas or business plans with fellow participants. Secondly, don’t shy away from experiences that challenge your current beliefs.
You might discover gaps in your knowledge or adopt different perspectives on familiar topics. At the very least, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of something previously unknown to you. Overall, this trend is significant and has the potential to elevate and enhance the fitness industry.
