The Problem with Social Media Fitness Culture
Why TikTok’s summer body and toxic motivation videos must end—these trends push extreme dieting and workouts, making people believe they need to suffer to be fit. Your fitness journey doesn’t have to be fueled by shame, nor should you punish yourself in the gym or skip meals to fit an unrealistic standard. These harmful trends promote disordered habits, and in this article, I’ll explain why they need to stop.
Why Do People Go to the Gym?
The inspiration behind this article came to me during a discussion. Earlier this week, I was having a conversation with an old friend when he mentioned that he despises gym culture. Initially, I was appalled that someone could feel so strongly about it; however, I opted to listen to the opinion he held. We began discussing the main reasons people go to the gym:
- Competition
- Health
- Skill development
- Community
- Aesthetics
The first four reasons foster personal growth and well-being. However, my friend argued that much of fitness culture revolved around the final reason listed. As the conversation continued, I realized he was correct. While my personal experience with fitness was a positive one, this is not the case for many individuals, especially in online spaces.
The Rise of “Toxic Gym Motivation” on TikTok
Influencers promote disordered eating habits—skipping meals, taking laxative-like supplements, and exercising multiple times a day—all in pursuit of their so-called “summer body.” Worse, they shame themselves and others, using degrading language like “lazy” and “pig” to fuel their drive.
Having spent over two years in the fitness world—dabbling in weightlifting, running, yoga, Pilates, boxing, and even bouldering—I approach fitness as a way to build skills, feel capable, and care for my health. Yes, aesthetics are a bonus, but my primary motivation is love for sports and respect for my body. So, it’s no surprise that these trends deeply anger me.
The Link Between Aesthetic Fitness Goals and Eating Disorders
While the aesthetic rewards of exercise are real and valid, making them the sole motivation is dangerous. Research highlights the risks: a study on bodybuilders found that 67.5% of participants exhibited high levels of eating disorder symptoms, regardless of whether they competed or not (Devrim).
The Impact on Young Women: A Dangerous Combination
Although the study focused on adult men, the TikTok trends target young, often adolescent women, a demographic already at greater risk. According to the U.S. Department of Health, anorexia nervosa is three times more prevalent in women than men, and eating disorders are twice as common in adolescent females compared to their male counterparts.
This is a dangerous combination. The fitness world, particularly aesthetic-focused spaces like bodybuilding, already carries inherent risks regarding body image and disordered eating. Adding TikTok’s toxic messaging—telling young girls to skip dinner or that they aren’t good enough—only worsens the problem.
The Real Dangers of Extreme Fitness Trends
Anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates among mental health disorders; up to 5% of women die within four years of diagnosis, and even those who recover often suffer lasting health consequences (Auger). Beyond the physical dangers, these disorders lead to hair loss, skin issues, and other effects that further harm self-esteem.
The toxicity extends beyond diet to excessive exercise. Some influencers encourage working out twice a day, an hour on the Stairmaster, and hitting 15,000 steps daily—all for a “summer body.” This, too, is incredibly harmful. Research on exercise and longevity warns against excessive training, particularly in recreational athletes.
The recommended range for moderate to vigorous activity is 2.5 to 5 hours per week. Anything exceeding 10 hours has reduced cardiovascular benefits (O’Keefe). If you do the math, the recommendations from these influencers surpass the beneficial limits, which, on their own, may not be harmful. However, when combined with malnutrition, these practices could pose health risks to both the influencers themselves and their followers.
Now, if someone were training at a high intensity for a performance-based goal—an ultramarathon, a competition, or a feat of strength—it might carry some merit. Human achievement is worth pursuing. But risking your health just to fit an arbitrary aesthetic? Is it really worth it?
Personal Reflections: Breaking Free from Aesthetic Obsession
I, like many people, have personal experiences with body image issues and unhealthy eating habits. I remember being unable to look at myself in the mirror because I hated my body so much. I remember trying extreme keto diets, hoping that weight loss would bring happiness. And I remember crying when those diets failed, feeling just as miserable as before.
Only when I freed myself from the shackles of aesthetics did I truly begin to take care of myself and experience real happiness. Now, while I will always care about what my body looks like, my self-worth and happiness are no longer tied to my appearance. At my lowest point, watching a young woman speak about herself the way they do on TikTok may not have been the immediate source of my pain, but their words would have echoed in my mind. Those words, when I failed, would have been the ones to crush me. Taking personal narratives and research into account, it becomes clear why TikTok’s ‘summer body’ and toxic motivation videos must end.
The Need for Healthy and Supportive Fitness Narratives
Young girls don’t need toxic gym motivation. Society already does enough to damage their self-esteem. What they need is encouragement to enjoy movement, to care for their bodies, and to reject the idea that their worth is tied to how they look. They don’t need to be shamed—they need to be spoken to with kindness.
Yes, having a body you’re proud of is a great feeling. But that pride shouldn’t stem solely from how it looks. If you want to be proud of your body, start by appreciating it for what it already does. Mine lets me climb mountains, breathe deeply, and experience life. Take care of your body—truly take care of it. That means exercising in moderation, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and eating foods that nourish you. When you treat your body with respect, it will reward you.
Ultimately, why TikTok’s summer body and toxic motivation videos must end comes down to the harm they cause: they promote unrealistic standards, damage self-esteem, and encourage dangerous habits. Instead, fitness should be about health, strength, and self-respect.
Want to make fitness a lasting part of your life and truly enjoy it? I have an article on how to stay consistent with your workouts in a way that benefits both your body and mind!
