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Your Online Workouts May Be Hurting More Than Helping
A six-pack isn’t the same as a certification
When the pandemic forced Americans to hunker down at home and stay out of the gym, at-home workouts surged in popularity. But even as gyms reopen throughout the country, most people say they aren’t hurrying back — and many fitness influencers have seen massive, persistent boosts in subscribers. YouTubers like Chloe Ting, Maddie Lymburner (aka MadFit), and Pamela Reif promise homebound viewers slim thighs, round booties, and flat bellies. Over the month of May alone, Ting gained more than three million subscribers while Reif and Lymburner each gained more than half a million.
So who are these influencers doling out exercise advice? If you glance at YouTube search results for at-home workouts, the algorithm commonly features fit young women performing exercises focused more on slimming and toning than strength and functionality. Like any other vlogger, many of them design videos with the best marketing practices in mind. Viral fitness videos therefore often play off of socially constructed ideal body types: While male influencers commonly come from bodybuilding backgrounds and emphasize exaggerated muscle, these female-oriented viral workouts often claim to banish supposed flaws like love handles and muffin tops.
“Healthy women who are extremely fit sell,” says Jill Thein-Nissenbaum, PT, DSc, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Physical Therapy Program.
While plenty of fitness YouTubers clearly display legitimate qualifications, fans curious about the fitness backgrounds and education of some ultra-popular influencers will find little public information. (Neither Lymburner, Ting, nor Reif responded to Elemental’s requests for comment.) Lymburner’s LinkedIn notes that she’s a former dance teacher but doesn’t indicate any exercise credentials. Ting previously worked as a corporate statistician, as reported by the Daily Mail, and affirms in her video descriptions that she isn’t certified. As for Reif, there’s little indication that she has received any official certifications.
“If you need help or you’re not seeing results, I suggest seeing a health and fitness professional to give you tailored advice on your exercise form and dietary…
