Your Favorite Fitfluencers Might've Been Lying to You This Whole Time

7 hours ago 1

Welp . . . this is awkward. In anticipation of what turned out to be a rather short-lived TikTok ban, influencers across the social media platform joined forces for one last problematic trend. "Since we're all gonna die, there's one last secret I feel I have to share with you," the trending audio says. From here, various content creators took the opportunity to share one final confession — many of them still under the impression that TikTok was about to be gone for good.

While several of the TikTok confessions were relatively harmless (the Duolingo mascot face reveal . . . slow clap) others left us feeling more betrayed than amused. Unsurprisingly, some of the most shocking secrets came from the mouths of popular "fitfluencers." It was almost impressive hearing so many people we once watched for fitness inspo attribute their results to Ozempic, Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs), or entirely different workouts. Now that the trust has been broken, where do we go from here?

Even if you're unfamiliar with the label, you've likely encountered fitfluencers on your FYP. Think of the people sharing impossibly perfect physiques, fitness tips, workout routines, and the occasional smoothie recipe (undisclosed Bloom ad notwithstanding). Their workout sets always match, they don't believe in cheat days, and — despite their challenging workout routines — they almost never break a sweat. Their content is meant to be aspirational, but also serviceable, which is what makes these confessions especially disappointing. The reality is, we live in an era where anyone and everyone can claim to be an expert — especially on social media. But with hundreds and thousands of people claiming to have the key to a healthier, stronger you, it's important to know how to sort the actual experts from the fakes. Ahead, we spoke to experts about the impact of bad fitfluencers, and what you should consider looking for instead.

Experts Featured in This Article:

Sabrena Jo, PhD, is an ACE-certified group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and health coach.

Jeanette Jenkins/a> is a health coach, creator of The Hollywood Trainer Club/a>, and trainer to celebrities like P!nk, Alicia Keys, and Jurnee Smollett.

Sarah Schrank, PhD, is a history professor at California State University Long Beach and an E-RYT 500 yoga instructor.

Fitfluencer Risks

As with most things on social media, fitfluencers are not inherently good or bad. Still, it's important to know how to spot creators without actual credentials so you can take their advice with a grain of salt (especially in light of all these TikTok confessions). "Non-accredited influencers may inadvertently promote unsafe practices, unrealistic expectations, and quick-fix solutions," says ACE-certified trainer, Sabrena Jo, PhD. This misinformation can lead to discouragement about your own results at best, and injury at worst.

But it isn't just fitfluencer content you should be wary of. Even fitness inspiration content, often known as #fitspo, can have dire consequences. According to a systematic review of the effects of "fitspiration" on body image, fitspo actually increased body dissatisfaction, heightened comparisons of physical appearance, and worsened mood — especially in younger populations.

Dr. Jo confirms that young people and fitness newcomers are especially susceptible to fitspo and other bad wellness advice. "Individuals new to exercise might not have the knowledge to discern between credible advice and potentially harmful recommendations," she says. Likewise, many young people may still be developing their self-image.

Fitfluencer Benefits

That said, there are still plenty of fitfluencers who make great content (for free). "The rise of fitness influencers has significantly democratized access to fitness information and motivation," Dr. Jo says. Following accredited fitness professionals can be a great way to get motivated, find new workout ideas, and foster a sense of community, she says.

"Any fitfluencer can motivate you to want to move your body, which can be a very positive attribute," adds trainer Jeanette Jenkins. "However, [the rise of fitness influencers] has also led to the proliferation of misinformation and potentially harmful practices, which is why it's crucial for consumers to be discerning and critical of the fitness content they consume online," Dr. Jo notes.

How to Spot a Trustworthy Fitfluencer

Rather than telling you to block every fitness-adjacent account on your feed, here's what you should look for when determining if someone is a reputable fitness professional, Dr. Jo says.

Credentials: "Accredited professionals are more likely to provide safe, realistic, and sustainable fitness advice, reducing the risks associated with misinformation." Dr. Jo says. Look for formal qualifications like degrees in exercise science, kinesiology, or related fields. Accredited professionals often have certifications from recognized organizations (e.g., ACE, ACSM, NSCA). Of course, a string of capital letters isn't the only thing to look for: double check any acronyms you don't recognize to make sure they're legit. And be wary of people who are giving advice that falls outside the scope of their credentials (ie, a personal trainer shouldn't be giving nutrition advice, unless they have a separate related degree).
Evidence-Based Advice: "Professionals tend to base their advice on scientific research and established exercise principles, rather than trends or personal anecdotes," Dr. Jo says. Someone's personal experience can be inspiring or interesting; but if they're telling you to take advice, their reasoning should be based in science — not just, "It worked for me."
Transparency: One of the biggest frustrations following the TikTok confessions was the clear lack of transparency from fitfluencers. It's totally fine to be on Ozempic or get cosmetic surgery, but lying to your following creates distrust — especially if you're attributing your physique to a specific nutrition plan or fitness regimen instead. Genuine professionals are transparent about their qualifications and the limitations of their expertise, Dr. Jo says. They are also more likely to refer to other specialists when necessary.
Content Quality: "Accredited professionals focus on safe, effective training methods and often provide detailed, context-rich information, rather than just visually appealing content." Those matching workout sets may be cute, but they're not as important as proper form.
Overall Vibes: There's a fifth, less tangible quality to consider when deciding whether to follow a fitfluencer, and that's how the content makes you feel. "I recommend people follow any fitfluencers that motivate, inspire, educate or just make them laugh and enjoy life," Jenkins says. "It's important to think critically and set your own parameters around content. You can engage with both accredited and non-accredited fitfluencers and be inspired by both of them in different ways." On the other hand, if scrolling your feed leaves you feeling guilty, unhappy with your body, or like you're not enough, it's time for a change.

Fitfluencer Red Flags

Beyond looking for quality health and fitness content online, keep an eye out for any of the following warning signs:

Appearance-Based Content: To some extent, this is impossible to avoid on social media. "The problem with following any fitfluencer — or engaging with this online culture writ large — is that ultimately the message is how you look is the most important part of one's life," says Sarah Schrank, PhD, a history professor and E-RYT 500 yoga instructor. "No matter how much energy is spent on 'feeling good,' 'being positive, 'owning one's body,' etc., the medium of online fitfluencing is inherently visual." That said, some fitfluencers body check, highlight appearance-based results, or post several before-and-after pictures — and being told, even implicitly, that your body should look a certain way is never OK.
Extreme Claims: "Credible professionals are unlikely to promise rapid, dramatic results or push extreme diets and workouts," Dr. Jo says. And as you should with most sources of information in your life, Dr. Jo recommends critically evaluating the information that your favorite fitfluencers share, to watch for "consistency with established health and fitness guidelines."
One-Size-Fits-All Advice: "Health and fitness is a lifelong journey and it is about understanding your own body and how it functions, and doing the workouts that are best for you," Jenkins says. Fitfluencers that make sweeping statements about how certain types of exercise or wellness practices will deliver a specific result for everybody (looking at you, "Pilates arms").

The Bottom Line

Fitfluencers are, at the end of the scrolling spree, just people. They all have their unique perspectives on health, exercise, and wellness, and it's definitely not all bad. While some may be complicit in problematic fitspo content, or been dishonest in their approach, many are genuinely there to help people become healthier, stronger versions of themselves.

"The fitness influencer space has the power to inspire positive change," Dr. Jo says. "But it also bears the responsibility of ensuring that the information shared is accurate, safe, and promotes an evidence-based approach to health and wellness."

The content that fitfluencers share is a tool that can be helpful or harmful for your fitness journey, depending how you use it. If opening social media to see a familiar, smiling face encourages you to get off your phone and into your running shoes, then keep your favorite fitfluencers in your life. But if their content is causing you to feel guilt, shame, or distrust, it's better to hit the gym your way . . . and then hit unfollow.

— Additional reporting by Chandler Plante

Kaley Rohlinger is a freelance writer for PS who focuses on health, fitness, food, and lifestyle content. She has a background in the marketing and communications industry and has written for PS for over four years.

Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.

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