FitTok: Why Fitness Influencers Are Taking Over Our Lives
There is no denying that social media has changed the way we interact with the world. It has also had a huge impact on the way we view and consume content. And, as with all things social media, the world of fitness influencers is no exception.
While there are certainly some big names in the fitness influencer world, a lot of lesser-known names are making a big impact. FitTok is a great example of this.
FitTok is a fitness-focused niche on TikTok that has quickly gained a following among fitness enthusiasts and influencers alike. And, while it may be lesser known than some of the other popular TikTok niches out there, it still reaches millions of people[1].
Summary
What are Fitness Influencers and FitTok?
There is no doubt that fitness influencers have taken over TikTok, which of course bleeds onto other social media sites. But what is it about their content that is so appealing?
For starters, fitness influencers “provide” an endless supply of motivation. They post workout videos and pictures of their progress, which can inspire you and others to get moving.
But beyond motivation, fitness influencers also offer expert advice on everything from what exercises to do to what foods to eat. They are like a free personal trainer that you can access anytime, anywhere, to get the next inspiration.
And since TikTok is such a visual platform, it is the perfect place for fitness influencers to share their quick tips and tricks. The fitness influencers on TikTok are called FitTok.
The hashtag, #fittok, already amassed 25 billion views at the time of this writing[2]. After all, a video is worth a thousand words and photos.
Related post: HealthyWage Review
The Popularity of Fitness Influencers
Since the invention of the Internet and especially after the pandemic, more and more people are going online to look for answers.
As with basic economics, there will be people looking to serve this new need. For full disclosure, I am also attempting to give you information (albeit science-based and something I stand behind.)
One of the most famous fitness influencers is Jillian Michaels, who has 1.4 million followers on Instagram[3]. She is a trainer with a fitness app subscription, product endorsements, and service collaborations.
Overall, her content on Instagram is friendly and not diet-focused. It is such a relief to see top fitness influencers on Instagram support a more humanized approach to public health and weight loss.
What about the commercial reason for Jillian to help us out? Obviously, she has to make money one way or the other.
I actually wrote about one of her collaborations with HealthyWage. You can check out to see the details of what is happening behind the scene.
Related post: Pinky Finger Challenge Explained
Going Beyond The Top
Besides popular fitness influencers, you can also find fitness trends. The TikTok format spreads the information like wildfire.
The fitness trend does not have to start with an already popular account. Almost anyone, whom the almighty algorithm favors, can start a new trend with whatever information they’d like to use.
Here is an example of a fitness trend working. Think about your first impression when watching this clip for the first time.
Do you (or the majority of the commenters) see the warning sign? Do you understand what is happening?
You can see the danger of popular content. The information is not necessarily correct but because it plays into the algorithm, the format spreads to millions of people.
Be careful of what you see out there. By the way, if you are wondering for an explanation of the challenge, I did an explanation of this pinky finger challenge on the blog!
Women-Specific Example
You still are not convinced that a simple TikTok trend does not go far?
@burtondestinee It gets easier to do the more you do it💪🏻 #fyp #foryoupage #weightloss #tummyfat #abschallenge #fitnesstok #icandoit ♬ original sound – NaiHe
This video went viral with over five thousand likes. You read it right, 5K! (ง •_•)ง A lot of people have watched and agreed with the message here.
Getting a flat tummy is a very common question. Do you think that sitting up and down repeatedly can help you get one?
The answer is no. There is no way that one simple exercise can do the heavy lifting for all things related to a flat tummy.
Yet it is so addictive to believe this to be true. After all, the exercise shown is a piece of cake for most of you reading the blog while actually exercising and having a balanced diet are harder.
Having a flat tummy is more complicated. Depending on your age, you might find it easier or harder to do. Sometimes, it is best that you do not have a flat tummy.
The trend worked because it shows you an easier alternative to solve your problem.
Men-Specific Example
Even though it sounds plausible, the popularity of social media trends permeates into men’s fitness information as well.
Here is an example of the mystical “bicep gap”:
The Instagram handle has been censored for anonymity.
Oh no, your brachioradialis muscle is so big. Your biceps are not going to show. Your strength will be weaker. So scary ผ(•̀_•́ผ).
All of these are bullcrap. The brachioradialis is a small muscle of your upper arm. Ideally, you do NOT want to isolate and train it by itself.
Why? Because doing so will increase the risk of injuries, which you do not want. Instead, think of this muscle, and many smaller ones like it, as synergist muscles.
These muscles are not the main driver of your actions, but they come to assist the bigger muscles. When you are exercising your upper arm workouts, they will be worked adequately.
You might fall for this kind of misinformation because it brings up a problem that has never existed before in your mind.
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Where to Go from Here?
Reading this article might scare you from seeking information online. You should not!
The information here is something you should be aware of as you scroll through TikTok (or Instagram Reel or YouTube Shorts for that matter).
The social media giants have figured out a way to keep our attention. Instead of blindly following whatever they feed us, you need to take a more active role in what you consume.
Ask yourself some or all of the questions below:
- What is this person’s main job? → see if the person has something to gain momentarily and how
- What are their credentials? → are they qualified to make public opinions on your health
- What is their following quality? → make sure the person you are looking at is not a bot → look at their followers to likes ratio
- How is the information presented differently from what you know? → is it new research or just good marketing
- Does the information sound too good to be true? → then it probably is and please stop agonizing over a missed opportunity
Is there any other question you might want to add? Let me know in the comments down below. I would love to know what you have in mind.
With all that being said, if you are looking for a trained professional to help you differentiate between science-based information versus misinformation, I am your gal!
