Written by Josh Hoodless
Does my butt look big in these pants? Has now become … How do I MAKE my butt look big in these pants?
It would seem the giant monster of social media is the driving motivation behind the current generation’s obsession with diet and fitness.
When lifestyle and health influencers (the modern-day celebrity) are constantly posting filtered, photoshopped, unattainable or hormone enhanced photos of their physique, it’s hard for Gen Z not to buy into it.
This is placing extreme amounts of pressure on teenagers today and it’s no wonder they are hanging out at the gym sipping on sports supplement drinks.
It seems that teenagers are relating themselves to these influencers because like them, they are just ‘normal people’ not real celebrities.
These lifestyles are simply out of reach but are seen as something to model their life by.
This generation will do whatever workout or diet they are promoting (selling) no matter how ridiculous.
We are also seeing millions of videos of epic gym fails or newbies misusing gym equipment.
It’s become entertainment. No surprise people feel anxious and intimidated when going to a gym – they could find themselves embarrassed on YouTube the next day thanks to someone simply just having their mobile phone handy.
With increasing numbers of younger people attending the gym we are seeing many parents reach out to fitness professionals in order to teach their teenagers correct lifting technique.
Learning the skill of lifting weights with great form not only reduces risk of injury but also decreases the chance of bullying when training alone in a commercial gym. The previous generation were going to the gym later in life sometimes after finishing up in sports. Nowadays it seems going to the gym to exercise has become a sport.
Two major conflicting issues are continuing to increase: Emphasis on extreme aesthetics and obesity. That’s why it’s even more important that parents encourage their children to focus on the health and well-being aspects of fitness.
Approximately 65% of admissions to Fraser Coast hospitals are due to chronic disease (99% preventable). Health is more important than ever, not distorted body image.
Exercise because it’s good for you not because you’ll look good should be the motto. Value normal wholesome food and discourage an online restrictive diet from a shredded Insta star.
Diet culture is a whole other story, and we will run out of pages for that topic.
For years now we have been training teenagers to become better athletes for their sport.
We focus on increasing performance and clients only compete against themselves. We are inspired by the next generation that come through our doors that endeavour to be better athletes and learn correct technique to be fitter and stronger.
We have a ‘No Phone’ rule at our facility. In our opinion, the intrinsic motivation to improve your health doesn’t need to be recorded for everyone to see.
At present we have dozens of Gen Z clients working towards their goals.
With a multitude of fake, misleading and untrue content on the web this generation is struggling to know which way to turn.
A major role of the fitness professional is to pass on the correct information and focus on what’s important. Empowering the next generation so they can think critically when scrolling on the socials.