NINE MONTHS ago, amid the decline of public gatherings, the world witnessed the ascent of Zoom calls, Among Us, and most notably–the online workout frenzy. While usual routines and nine-to-five daily grinds were put to a halt, the internet provided an option out of a sedentary pandemic life: Free, accessible, and convenient fitness content for all. Almost instantaneously, fit-fluencers and their videos promising killer abs and toned glutes dominated the internet, winning over the hearts and Youtube algorithms of people all around the globe.

Although most people favored the idea of exercise offered on a silver platter, the validity of these online fitness content inevitably came into question. Contrary to popular fitness fallacies, the road to fitness is not a one-size-fits-all solution as sustainable and long-term fitness entails more than quick-fix exercise routines.

Behind the clickbait veil

Amid the massive spike of online fit-fluencers, one lifestyle vlogger in particular–Chloe Ting–caused a huge ruckus on the internet for her infamous two-week online workout challenges. As her cleverly titled videos catapulted her to viral success, Ting has amassed a massive following of 16.2 million subscribers and continues to garner attention from fans and critics alike. Though Ting maintained that the titles on her videos are “Subjective and shouldn’t be seen as absolute truth,” professional coaches, trainers, and bodybuilders were quick to raise issues regarding her dubious credibility and improper form.

While engaging in any form of exercise is applaudable, one should be aware of the disparity in results provided by different fitness methods. “There’s the good and the bad. Exercising is still better than not exercising,” said Miguel Aytona, the vetted Strength & Conditioning (S&C) Coach of the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team and the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center. “But when everyone started giving out content regarding fitness training, there was a lot of false information [circulating],” he added. Now faced with a plethora of resources within reach, the challenge becomes not where to find fitness advice, but rather whose advice to follow.  

According to fitness experts, potentially misleading video content like Ting’s discredit scientifically-backed fitness theories and normalize poor form and baseless exercise regimens. Although imperfect form is at times forgivable, the constant repetition of poor practices can make the body vulnerable to damage and injury. Even though these fit-fluencers’ intentions may be to improve their audiences’ lifestyles, their programs could injure the person attempting to perform their exercises without the guidance of a professional trainer.

While fitness credibility entails more than a good marketing scheme, industry experts like Aytona say that it does not necessarily take a sports science degree to comprehend  nutrition and exercise science. Contrary to popular belief, a sports science undergraduate degree is not often an indicator of fluency in fitness-related subjects. 

Ultimately, passion and long-term determination bear the heaviest weight. “Studies are being made everyday. Studies are being disproved. Fitness myths are being debunked. If you want to be in this industry, you have to be passionate about it. It’s a profession that requires you to learn everyday,” said Aytona.

Pulling out the big guns

In an effort to guide and correct misinformed fitness buffs, Aytona launched Aytona Performance (AP), an online training platform backed by scientifically-researched workout programs. The S&C Coach shared that his scientific methodology demands more than just hitting the textbooks. “I can’t just take theories and put it on the program without testing them to see if they actually work,” he said. To Aytona, the efficacy of a workout program is most evident when his clients are able to attain optimal results.

“That’s the beauty of working in Ateneo, our job entails working with patients–athletes, kids, old people, [and] non-athletes. With the theories that I read and study, I get to test them out and see which work best,” he shared.

While Aytona strongly suggested seeking out experts in exercise science for best results, he also emphasized that showing up to training is just half the battle. “I’m very honest with my clients. You can’t solely depend on me, on our training. You have to put nutrition in proper order,” said the S&C Coach.

Moreover, Aytona disapproves of statements akin to “Get abs in 2 weeks,” regardless of whether or not it’s promised by fitness experts like himself. To him, these claims may propagate false hope and dampen people’s fitness expectations. “My goal is to educate individuals. Working on your body should be a part of everyday life. Maintaining whatever goals you achieved is just as hard as getting there,” he shared.

An issue of consistency

When it comes to fitness milestones, the sky is the limit even for industry professionals like Aytona. The S&C coach exclaimed that there’s no such thing as a finite goal in his industry as each achievement is a stepping stone towards new heights and objectives. Essentially, fitness entails one’s commitment to good nutrition and exercise. With this in mind, there is no cookie-cutter approach nor a secret formula that promises a perfect body in merely two weeks. While the path to effective results is not an easy journey, athletes and exercise enthusiasts alike are encouraged to seek the advice of fitness experts to ensure their safety en route to a healthier lifestyle.