I prefaced my last post by saying that it was not a rant, so I suppose it’s only fair to warn you that this one probably is. Some of what I am about to say will no doubt be unpopular, but I am willing to take that risk. I simply must get this off my chest, but I promise I will try to keep it short!
It is no secret that I am mildly obsessed with all things health and fitness related. I am also extremely active on social media. I have accounts on all of the platforms ( I think) and I follow lots of people, such as, athletes, nutritionists, trainers, fitness experts and other bloggers. Lately though, I find myself noticing, and being irritated by, a weird trend. Some of the trainers I follow have been posting photos and videos of their clients drawing attention to their “peach.”
I am sorry, but I don’t care what you call it, I don’t think it is right to be showcasing your clients’ asses! People go to trainers because they want to improve their fitness. For some people, especially women, by they time they get to you they can have pretty serious body image issues. One of your main roles as a trainer is to provide a safe environment for healing and rehabilitation. It is not your job to objectify and sexualise your clients on social media in order to gain more likes, follows, etc. Not only does this exploit them and abuse their trust, but you also risk exposing them to all kinds of negative feedback at the hands of trolls.
Another thing which is bothering me lately (while I am on a roll, I may as well let loose) is how certain female “Fitspos” are choosing to peddle their wares. As a woman, trying to establish herself in this world, trust me, I understand how difficult it can be to be taken seriously. But, believe me when I tell you, posing in your underwear, is not the way to do it.
Don’t get me wrong, I fully appreciate the beauty of the female form, and I think it should be celebrated. I would love to live in a world, where everyone was accepting of their body and felt no shame in revealing as much of it as they wish to. One of the most empowering things I did when I lost weight was to get an underwear photo shoot done. I am all for women feeling sexy and beautiful.
The problem I have is with women feeling the need to strip off in order to essentially, sell their product. You are a fitness professional. You have studied and worked hard in order to achieve your qualifications. Please don’t cheapen yourself and the industry in general by making it a peep show. All of the social media attention might feel good now, but like any dopamine hit, it will be short lived. Ask yourself is that really how your want to grow your business? Call me old fashioned, but I just don’t see what boobs and bums have got to do with fitness. Be well xxx
