Fitness trends: the hidden costs on our bodies?

As the dust settles on New Year’s resolutions, many people are reflecting on whether they stuck to their ambitious fitness goals or abandoned them somewhere around mid-January. These fitness trends that flooded our feeds from the end of Christmas through January had many of us captivated, pushing us to set ambitious goals and create new habits in pursuit of a "better" version of ourselves.

Challenges like 75 Hard come with a strict set of rules promising transformation, requiring unwavering commitment to a rigid routine. However, for those who embarked on these programs with insane aspirations, the journey often led to a different kind of self-discovery, one that raised questions about sustainability and personal overall well-being.

One of the biggest concerns with these challenges is their long-term viability. Committing to a set of principles often means sacrificing other areas of life, whether that’s declining social plans or resisting the occasional sweet treats. While discipline is necessary for progress, the daily demands of challenges like 75 Hard can quickly become overwhelming. As a student, my schedule is anything but linear, making it nearly impossible to balance the rigid expectations of 75 Hard alongside academic and personal responsibilities. Ultimately, life’s inevitable demands made consistency unattainable, leading to burnout and frustration.

A particularly overlooked aspect of these trends is their disregard for the menstrual cycle. The fitness realm of social media often operates through a male-centric lens, failing to account for the hormonal fluctuations and physical discomfort many women experiences. Unlike men, whose hormonal cycles reset every 24 hours, women’s energy levels fluctuate throughout the month. High-intensity workouts, which these programs demand daily, can exacerbate stress on the body, which can lead to irregular periods, extreme fatigue, and even hormonal imbalances. Some days, intense exercise feels super empowering, but during certain phases of the cycle, it can do more harm than good. Pushing through when the body needs rest isn’t a sign of strength, it’s a recipe for disater.

Beyond the physical toll, the mental pressure of fitness trends can also be mentally damaging. Social media is flooded with success stories, creating the illusion that everyone else is effortlessly achieving their goals. What remains unseen are the moments of exhaustion, self-doubt, and struggle. This unrealistic portrayal of a flawless journey can foster feelings of inadequacy, especially for those just beginning their fitness journey or those who already suffer with comparison. Nobody is the same, and with a set of rules that are mean to be applied to all shapes, sizes, genders and abilities, it is quick to see why people often fall off these challenges.

So, are these challenges worth it? In some ways, yes, structured programs can provide motivation and help establish healthier habits. However, they should be approached with realistic expectations. Fitness is not one-size-fits-all, and rigid trends fail to accommodate the diverse lifestyles, commitments, and physical needs of individuals. A working parent of five cannot be expected to maintain the same level of commitment as a full-time fitness influencer girly. The key is to personalise these challenges. Examples could be opting for a "75 Medium" or "75 Easy" approach that allows for flexibility while still promoting progress. All these versions may seem silly, but they mean more of us can get involved in improving our lives, without giving up too easily.

With months to go until the next wave of fitness challenges floods our feeds, if you’re considering trying one, before you sell your soul, ensure it aligns with your lifestyle, and most importantly, allows you to have fun along the way.

Edited by Phoebe Huzij