There’s NOTHING wrong with FITSPO! (counterpoint guest post)

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Thanks so much to David for making the time to share his differing viewpoint.

While I still firmly believe FITSPO is harmful to our girls—I will concede to almostkindasorta being swayed to his perspective.

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When I first read Carla’s two headlines about how she hates fitspo, I couldn’t think of a reason why.

I don’t particularly care for or seek out the images myself, but I understand the reason they exist and the motivation it brings to other people, as seen on social media timelines everywhere.

What I found after reading the posts was not so much things that I would consider as underlying problems with society and our still sometimes lacking of acceptance towards women empowerment, but more so, issues that are typically personal projections to what can be perceived as the former.

 It doesnt motivate me.

Fair enough. Seeing chiseled (male or female) bodies doesn’t do it for everyone, but that’s not to say there’s anything wrong with it. Or that people that do find those images motivating are wrong either.

I, too, am/once was/kind of still am/sort of a trainer, and I have girl-friends that send me pictures of women they’d like to look like.

Not in a, “omg I want to look like her. I’m going to do whatever it takes. If I can’t I’m going to fall into complete depression and hate my life for the rest of my life,” but in a “she has great abs/shoulders/arms/butt, I think I’m going to add <insert body part of interest focused movement> into my routine and see how it goes!”

But that doesn’t mean it’s not motivating.

In my natural state, I am lazy.

Super lazy. Yet I still have an internal desire to be fit and functional so that I can go do the things I want to do once I finally decide to leave the couch. And those things are physically demanding. So while I have an internal desire, I still need an external stimulus (when thinking about my hobbies just isn’t enough).

As mentioned, based on social media timelines, the belief that hardbodies are not inspirational, is the minority.

And that doesn’t make society wrong. This is a personal belief, and people have the personal choice to mute the hashtag, not search for the hashtag, and remove those from your [online] life that continually use it.

FITSPO is frighteningly close to PRO-ANA* draped in muscled clothing.

I cannot speak on behalf of Carla’s experience with bodybuilding, but I do know that a lot of one-time physique competitors project this belief on others because of their own personal experiences.

There are a lot of bad coaches out there that make clients do a lot of really damaging things to their bodies and psychologies. Physique competitions are/were not my area of interest as a trainer, but being in the industry long enough, I know this is fairly commonplace.

If the client later stops doing the competitions and sees how damaging it was to them, it is not uncommon for them to take the side of seeing things as pro-ana, even if they’re not.

If anything, orthorexia seems to be the most likely culprit.

It’s an illusion.

I can’t argue with this one. The online “posters” that are produced by professional photographers with professional models, are most definitely just a snapshot in time at their peak physical condition. But consider the source.

A search on #fitspo will yield results of real people too. Not models. Not pro athletes. Real people like Carla that have adopted health and fitness as a lifestyle.

I assume people have legitimate, safe reasons for wanting/needing to do so. (I consistently have low bodyfat to help me rock climb harder.) I assume they are educated in how to make this their lifestyle in a healthy manner. I assume they’re eating eggs, bacon, ice cream, candy bars, broccoli, broiled fish, and sweet potatoes as part of a sustainable (mentally, physically, biologically) overall nutrition plan.

It’s not until I’ve actually met the person and listen to their story that I start forming an opinion.

To do so before that is just judgmental.

In the end, I think it’s a worthwhile exercise to try not looking at #fitspo with such a negative light.

Projecting and assuming things like, “it’s fake; it’s a snapshot in time; it ‘shames’ people for where they’re at instead of where they’re going,” isn’t fair to the person posting.

You don’t know their background or history or how they achieved that body.

I encourage you to look at the positive side of that coin:

  • It IS motivational.
  • It IS a celebration of one person’s journey from fat to fit.
  • It DOES inspire people to keep pushing towards their goals.

And if you just can’t get past it, you’re always in control of what you choose to see. 

Lastly, I’d like to thank Carla for letting me post on this topic on her website, and thank all of you for reading.

If you’d like to know more about me, how health and fitness is part of my lifestyle, my past as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, my present as a sponsored athlete Id love to hear from you.

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Comments

  1. Yes. This sums up how I feel. Fitspo doesn’t make me feel bad. I enjoy it. I can see how some people would be turned off by it as I am similarly turned off by the “fat is beautiful” movement. Maybe I am because I am afraid of becoming overweight someday. Maybe I love Fitspo because I have am not overweight, I have muscles and I love mine. I also love seeing them on others. Is it validating to me maybe that other women love to have them too, probably in the same way the fat is beautiful is validating to other overweight women who don’t want to workout or struggle with the weight. Large breasts I will never have so that kind of thing I struggle with, though as I get older the less I give a shit and the more I am comfy in my own skin as I am. I find it funny that now in my late thirties I am more comfy in my skin than I was in my early 20s when I was in even better shape with a perfect belly. now I have stretched out skin and wonder why I didn’t wear more bikinis back then.

  3. As a trainer, I have a love/hate relationship with#FitSpo.

    For example, “the only workout you’ll regret is the one you didn’t do” implies that you can’t skip a workout. And some days that’s exactly what you need to do. I’ve seen people and talked clients off that ledge. If you’re under the weather, resting your body to recover is what you should do and not feel guilty about it.

    Also, the “go hard or go home” quote hits home. I have come to know that it means to do my best each workout…but some think it means that if they aren’t doing a million burpees they aren’t going hard enough, so why bother.

    I’m motivated by fitspo because I’ve become wise to them and am doing my best to educate my clients on them as well.

  4. I still disagree although I see your points.
    I cannot get away from the notion of I can control what I choose to see, but my twins (girls, 14) are influenced but it and may not click away as fast as I do.

  7. Interesting thoughts, and it is good to see both sides. For some people it is motivational, and it works. For others, it may make them feel bad or unworthy and think, “Why bother, I’m never going to look like that.” Here’s something I wrote on my blog awhile back about the whole #fitspo #gymselfie thing (http://runliftyoga.com/2014/07/gym-selfie-challenge-quit-posing-and-show-us-what-hard-work-really-looks/):

    “Several recent studies on selfies, perception and body image have shown that viewing images of others on social media sites can sometimes be no different than viewing touched-up women in magazines. One study showed that women who looked at selfies on social media sites tended to negatively compare themselves to those images. According to researcher Petya Eckler of the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, “the attention to physical attributes may be even more dangerous on social media than on traditional media because participants in social media are people we know… These comparisons are much more relevant and hit closer to home. Yet they may be just as unrealistic as the images we see on traditional media.”

    In another study, young women who posted “revealing or sexy” images of themselves on social media sites were viewed by their female peers to be “less physically and socially attractive and less competent to perform tasks.”

    While I think if you feel proud about your body, don’t give a crap what anyone thinks and want to show it off then go for it, but I have to agree with researcher Elizabeth Daniels, an assistant professor of psychology who studies the effect of media on girls’ body image, who suggests that we should select social media photos that “showcase identity rather than appearance, such as one from a trip or one that highlights participation in a sport or hobby.”

  8. I would probably love these photos twenty years ago.
    Now that I’m a father I can’t get past their impact on my daughters.

  9. You make a really great case here. I am personally not a fan of fitspo–I do worry about its impact on the vulnerable crowd (those with ED tendencies). And I’m not a fan of many of the one liners that are often attached to the pics. But I’m sure there is an audience for whom fitspo appeals and so perhaps it has its place.

  11. Honestly, I like fitspo and thinspo. it serves me as motivation and inspiration and doesn’t make me feel crappy about myself but rather gets me excited and determined. It’s good to keep in mind that you will not nessesarily look like those thin and fit models but it sure serves as inspirstion everyday to strive for what I want and to stay healthy. For me, I don’t know why people get so worked up on it. as long as they’re smart about it then there’s no harm.

  14. Thanks David for a very thoughtful counter-argument.

    I’ll admit that I’m not a big fan of fitspo; perhaps it’s because I’m 47 and don’t expect that my body will ever look like those bodies again. Possibly because most of my clients are female, struggling with weight loss and disheartened by these photos. Most certainly because I’m the mom of a 12-year old daughter and I worry about the sexualization of health.

    But I do realize that these images help many people. My approach has been to remove them from my social media feed, exercising my choice to see the photos and posts that do motivate me. Real sized, athletic women doing great things while more modestly covered 😉

  15. I totally agree with this, actually. The “bad” part about fitspo is how people apply it. It’s where you are mentally.

    For me, it’s motivating. Body building is a healthy motivator. That said, I realize I’ve been really, really lucky. I found a good coach right off the bat. He’s always pushed me in a good way and never jacked up my diet. We don’t cut until absolutely necessary… hell, he and I have the same mission to find the very best hamburgers (it’s on our regular date schedule).

    It’s also what you’re using as fitspo. If it’s the anorexic looking Instawhore, then yeah… that’s probably not a good aspiration. I’m inspired by some pretty bad ass ladies who I wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley. HA!

  16. Why would young girls even KNOW about fitspo? I sure have no idea what it is, and maybe my daughter does but only because she is 28 and living across the country. When she lived with me and was much younger, she was busy with her own sports, schooling, friends-and I doubt she had much time/energy or even care what other ladies/girls were doing for fitness or what they look like.

  17. It is a great response. I get this thought process. For me, it still comes down to the fact that it is readily out there. That forms of it are on TV & in magazines too where you can readily see it as a young or very young person. I think it does lead to girls & women feeling very bad about themselves EARLY on & the comparison thing starts very young. To each their own for sure….. I just know that it got me young & I am still fighting the effects of it… We all don’t have family or others to help us feel good about ourselves when we are young. MAny moms are already affected by this & pass it on to kids…

    Great response though.

  18. We agree with you as well as Carla. It really comes down to the individual person — do they have strong self confidence. We do sometimes catch ourselves comparing then hating ourselves,but most of the time we look to others for motivation, inspiration and some people we actually learn something!! We all just have to remember we are all different and our goals are different therefore our journey will be different. We like to see others journeys.

  19. Thanks for this post, and I agree. I think it’s all in how you apply or perceive it. The only time it makes me a pause is 1. When people frame one body as perfect and hate on other body types because they don’t align with “perfection.” And this happens both with fitspo and with antifitspo. The sexiest part about our bodies is that we are ourselves. And if we compare our bodies to anyone else then we are limiting ourselves in terms of what the healthiest, hottest, and sexiest versions of ourselves could be. Bodybuilding can be dangerous if you internalize it, but for me competing in bikini competitions is empowering because I don’t really give 2 cents if my body looks like my competitors next to me. Prep is one of the most exciting moments of my life because I enjoy (healthily) stretching myself to new limits. And these new limits only count if I got there taking a healthy approach to my body. I believe that is what fitness is, an exclusive personal experience where we work together to inspire people. When I see fitspo I nod in that women’s direction as an acknowledgement of what she is able to achieve and it inspires me at how I can “Jazz-ma-taz” or put my own special twist on sculpting my body and the bodies of my clients. I appreciate both viewpoints and think people need to be open to this conversation, thanks for hosting it and being willing to step on out there

  20. Judgy McJudgers are every where for everything. When I was 70 pounds overweight, now when I’m normal weight. The most important thing is a good sense of self, self acceptance, and and self esteem. You can have that in any condition, size, or shape. You can ask for help from a counselor if you need to fill in gaps from the family of origin.

    If my daughter is brainwashed by ANY group, that means I’ve got work to do on myself, what I want to teach her so she can make her own opinions, judgements, and how she conducts herself. I can’t change others, but certain topics are great for discussions and teachable moments.

    I can’t choose what my daughter chooses to think or do (now a young teen) , but I have the honor of taking care of myself so she will model after me in a good way. In any shape or form.

  21. Excellent points raised. As a mum of three girls though I really worry about the expectations placed on them to look a certain way. I know that I have felt bad about myself after seeing fitspo images. However, I applaud those who can be inspired to make positive, healthy changes in their lives from any kind of inspiration. We all have different motivators. Unfortunately we are not all equally resilient emotionally and I think young girls can be particularly at risk.

  22. Thank you for the well thought out post Dave! I’ve often tried to defend “Fitspo” without ever putting enough thought into it to do it well.

    Maybe it’s because I’m relatively thin and fit but I *do* find a lot of the Fitspo stuff inspirational. Where do we draw the line? Do photos of “real” people working out make those who are less in shape feel bad?

    As far as the impact on young girls, I don’t know what effect “fitspo” has on them. I know there is a fine line between “thinspo” and “fitspo” where I think of fitspo as okay and thinspo as being not okay.

    Again! Thanks for your great thoughts!

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