Fitness Industry Myths #4 – You should look 'picture perfect' and confident while you exercise

Have you ever noticed how good fitness influencers look while they are exercising? Even when they’re really pushing themselves hard, they still somehow look great. If this is all you see on social media, you might believe that you also need to somehow look flawless when you’re physically active.



This is yet another fitness industry myth that has created huge psychological barriers for people trying to get active because it can makes exercise seem really intimidating. This myth can impact how you think people at the gym behave. For example, instead of trying a weight machine for the first time, you may avoid figuring it out for fear of looking awkward when you “should” look confident. Instead of going to a group fitness class that looks fun, you may decide to opt out because you don’t have the “right” outfit. Instead of going swimming with friends, you may pretend you can’t go because you’re not sure if people are going to judge the way you look in your swimsuit. Instead of doing an activity you enjoy at the gym (e.g. jumping rope), you may settle for something less enjoyable for fear of it perceived as “unusual.” Do any of these sound like you?

There’s nothing wrong with wearing an outfit you like while you workout. Where the problem lies is that this myth gets people focusing more on their appearance than what they are actually doing while they workout – something called self-objectification. This way of evaluating your body from the outside can erode your own relationship with your body, negatively impact your mental health, and get in the way of doing the things you like to do.

This fitness myth is especially hard on women. Companies can get lots of engagement when they have influencers wear tight, revealing outfits. This can lead women to believe that they also “have” to exercise in those kinds of clothes. Interestingly, one study (Cox et. all, 2020) explored the impacts of women wearing this kind of clothing on performance. They found that more revealing clothes lead women to self-monitor their own appearance while exercising, potentially making exercise less effective and more stressful.

Your exercise does not need to be viewed or judged by anyone but yourself. You should feel free to try new things, move in ways that feel good, and wear whatever helps you do that. That’s one reason why we don’t allow photos or videos at Western Campus Recreation (WSRC) - The Rec. We want to make sure people can enjoy their workout without worrying about how they look in other people's photos or videos.

If you find yourself constantly evaluating your appearance while you’re working out, or if you’re wondering whether you should exercise by how you look on the outside, please remember: your body is an instrument, not an ornament.

Sources:

Kite, Lexie, and Kite, Lindsay. More Than a Body. HarperCollins: 2021.

Cox, E., Sabiston, C.M., Karlinsky, A. et al. The impact of athletic clothing style and body awareness on motor performance in women. Psychon Bull Rev 27, 1025–1035 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-020-01755-2

Durau J, Diehl S, Terlutter R. Motivate me to exercise with you: The effects of social media fitness influencers on users’ intentions to engage in physical activity and the role of user gender. DIGITAL HEALTH. 2022;8. doi:10.1177/20552076221102769 

Past Wellness Wednesday Articles & Videos:

Fitness Industry Myths #3 – Everyone should like long, intense workouts  - Sport and Recreation Services - Western University

Fitness Industry Myths #2 – Looking thin/muscular/toned is the same thing as being healthy and happy  - Sport and Recreation Services - Western University

Fitness Industry Myths - #1 Your body has to look a certain way - Sport and Recreation Services - Western University

Staying Active During Exam Season - Sport and Recreation Services - Western University

Physical Activity is Good for Your Mental Health - Sport and Recreation Services - Western University

Physical Activity Can Bring About Positive Impacts to Your Mood in Big or Small Doses - Sport and Recreation Services - Western University

Physical Activity is an Effective Treatment for LOTS of Presenting Problems - Sport and Recreation Services - Western University

Posted: January 29, 2025