Physical inactivity is the fourth leading behavioral risk factor for global mortality. For many users on apps like Instagram and TikTok, it’s not hard to find videos of influencer workout tutorials, dieting tips, and transformation photos going viral. While this content can motivate viewers to become more active, the growing online presence of fitness influencers is a double-edged sword, as many influencers are not certified trainers and may spread misinformation or extreme workouts that can lead to injury.

Thanks to social media, fitness tips and goals are more accessible than ever. Rather than paying a personal trainer, users can look online for hundreds of free suggestions and workout ideas in seconds. For many students, social media has become a gateway for their fitness journey and healthier habits.

“I started going to the gym because of the people around me and on social media, which was a huge factor in trying to change myself,” junior Shaurya Shah said.

More people are turning to influencers for inspiration and guidance instead of only learning exercises through gym class alone. According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, 68.1% of over 900 Instagram users reported that fitness influencer videos encouraged them to increase their physical activity and meet the recommended levels of weekly exercise.

“I use online workouts and tips all the time. When I’m not able to go to the gym, I just look up what exercises will target the specific areas of my body that I want to exercise that day,” junior Jae Escudero said. “Sometimes I’ll google if the way I’m doing a certain movement is efficient for what goals I’m trying to achieve, or if however long I’m holding a position is going to get me better results, or if the exercise in general is effective.”

However,the growing popularity of influencer content raises many questions about whether the advice is safe or accurate. Because anyone can post workout advice online, many gym influencers that viewers trust to help create their own personal gym routines do not have formal training or certifications to be a personal trainer.

“The biggest concern I would raise is credibility and making sure that they’re credible. You also want to make sure that you’re safe and you don’t harm yourself because the influencer may not be explaining how to dial it back for a beginner or an intermediate level. Like telling viewers not to try to pick up a 50-pound dumbbell if they’ve never picked up a 20-pound bell,” PE amd Health teacher Maxx Lozano said.

Not only do these “fitfluencers” increase the risk of injury by promoting potentially dangerous workouts, but social media fitness culture can affect how people see their own bodies. Many images posted online are edited to highlight dramatic before-and-afters that might not reflect healthy or even realistic body expectations. Even celebrities like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Chris Hemsworth frequently falsely promote enhanced physiques as naturally attainable.

“On social media, the expectations on how I’m “supposed” to look attractive are quadrupled. I see all these models who look like gods and goddesses and I constantly compare my body to theirs. Not to mention the fact that they’re always advertising supplements that will burn away all your fat and workout equipment that’ll supposedly get you abs in 2 weeks,” Escudero said.

Overall, influencers can inspire and motivate, but it is important to rely on trusted, certified sources while listening to your own body. The key to staying safe and healthy is knowing the difference between misleading information and helpful guidance.

“One of the things that can be detrimental to new gym goers is that when you’re following an influencer, they may not always bring in the science behind their tips,” Lozano said. “One of the dangers is that there’s limited information being released, other than what the exercise program is, and not necessarily where the science or logic is coming from. Keep in mind that just because everybody’s trying an online fitness trend doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to work for you.”