When I was planning out my content schedule the other day, I stumbled onto a super spicy topic that I've never written on before - Instagram influencers and all the ways I think they are kind of "ruining fitness" for a lot of people.
So let’s get into it.
The Good and Bad of Instagram Influencers in the Fitness Space
Now obviously most things in life can be good or bad depending on how you choose to use them or "be them" in this case, so I'm not trying to make the point that all Instagram fitness influencers are "evil" or even full of bad intentions.
You can absolutely be a good fitness influencer or a bad fitness influencer just like you can be a good plumber or a bad plumber.
And by "good" and "bad" I probably mean something like primarily seeking after the common good of others more than your own selfish ambitions.
But here's why I personally think a lot of Instagram influencers are really screwing people up.
Reason 1 - Instagram Mostly Feeds You Content from the “Genetic Elite”
As much as I hate to admit this, what you're seeing on your feed really is the "genetic elite," as we like to say.
But, to be totally honest, I really don’t like that term because I feel like it far too often gets used as an excuse for people to forfeit the integrity of their long-term body composition goals before they’ve ever given themselves a proper chance.
Let me explain.
I think too many people see phenomenal physiques on Instagram or other avenues of social media and think, “They were probably just born like that. It’s genetics, and I will never look like that.”
And while it’s absolutely true that some people are born with favorable anatomical structures, insertion points, and genetics overall for building muscle, that doesn’t negate the parallel reality that some degree of meaningful body recomposition can be achieved by all of us.
In other words, everyone can become a leaner and more muscular version of themselves to varying degrees, and I hate the thought of people settling for less than their personal best just because their own physique potential might not be as impressive on a cultural level than those of the statue-esque models they’ve grown accustomed to seeing on Instagram.
But the reality is that some people really do just “look hot" according to the cultural standards of the 2020’s with very minimal effort.
You heard that right, some dudes can get pretty muscular without much work just like some chicks can have a thick bum and a tiny waist for seemingly no reason.
Genetics are very real and seemingly unapologetic.
To spell it out for you even more clearly, I’m saying that some people are always going to look “better than you” no matter how hard you try.
Let’s think about it context of a race analogy:
It’s kind of like being among a group of people who are all trying to run a “body composition race” of one lap around the track.
If you’ve got average genetics, you get to line up at the traditional starting line, which means the distance to your destination is an even 400m. Seems fair, right?
But, having elite genetics means you get a massive head-start on your competition in the sense that some people are literally lining up at the 100m, 200m, and even 300m mark to run the same exact race as you! All of a sudden, things don’t seem very fair anymore, do they?
Not only that, but imagine being genetically disadvantaged, which means you’d be starting 100m behind the starting line - or worse!
Who is going to win the race?
And that’s exactly what I mean when we say “good genetics.”
So imagine now you take that same group of genetically elite individuals and give them a great training program, evidence-based nutrition, and a team of photographers that know how to rig up the lighting just right.
What happens? You get the perfect storm of aesthetics and social media allure.
Of course Instagram is going to put those physiques on your feed!
They are shocking and awe-inspiring and they can keep you scrolling for hours while you compare yourself (usually negatively) to their seemingly perfect features.
Call me crazy, but I personally don't think that's probably good for most people's mental health and overall self-esteem, which is the first reason I think Instagram’s over-promotion of the genetic elite is contributing to negative associations with fitness and body image for many people.
Reason 2 - Some People Will Do Just About Anything for a Double-Tap and a Potential Modeling Career
You have to keep in mind that a lot of opportunity is floating around on Instagram, which means that some people will do literally almost anything to snap the perfect photo that might land them a magazine cover or a partnership with Gymshark or Alphalete or an even a higher level modeling agency.
But how far are some people willing to take it?
To answer that question, I decided to make a list of three specific things I would personally do if I decided to sell my soul for maximum Instagram approval:
I would probably take drugs.
Whoa, drugs?! You heard that right! But before you freak out because you know me personally, just know that I will never take special sports supplements (which is basically a gentler way of saying steroids) because I personally value my long-term health more than any immediate benefit being more jacked could offer me.
But the point I am trying to make here is that we are seeing physiques on Instagram (both male and female) that you might naively think are achievable naturally or - in other words - without "special supplementation."
And just to be clear, I'm not talking about whey protein, creatine monohydrate, and your mom's favorite multivitamin. We're talking testosterone and exogenous hormones that allow you to build muscle literally all day long while staying lean, which is basically an influencer's dream come true. Sound appealing yet?
I would stage fake photographs to make you think I live a certain lifestyle that I really don't.
Specifically, I would take a ton of photos of me "eating meals" that I never actually ate.
Have you ever seen a picture of a super fit dude or dudette eating the cheat meal of your dreams? Or maybe even looking shredded on the beach or at the club with a few drinks in hand and a huge smile on their face? Of course you have. And although that may be possible for a handful of people, it's just not realistic for most people.
Creating the illusion that you can eat whatever you want and look "super duper sexy" 24/7/365 is high misleading for most “normal” people.
And let's be honest with ourselves. Do you really think influencers aren't above ordering an enormous array of food just to let their friends eat it once the photo has been snapped?
When your income is on the line, creating a false lifestyle narrative on social media is a no-brainer.
I would starve myself all summer long for a summer of sick photos.
For people who don't use drugs, being super lean for an extended period of time is extremely difficult and frankly unhealthy.
"But wait! I'll get more modeling gigs if I stay super shredded even at the expense of my health?" Sold, right?
If I were an Instagram influencer and wanted the best approval outcomes, I would probably stay on 1,800-2,000 calories for 3-6 months straight, which is a pathetic amount of food for a guy my size. We'd be snapping photos every day with spray tans, perfect lighting, and perfect pumps and skin oil!
Do you see my point? The stakes are high on Instagram, which means the commitment to photograph perfection (even at the expense of the integrity of its presentation) is ultimate.
Reason 3 - You Never Know Which Pictures Were Taken When
Similar to my third point in the paragraph above, it's worth noting that some influencers will take hundreds of photos on the same day in 18 different bathing suits to post all year round.
This is even easier for women to pull off than men because their hair and facial hair consistency isn't a concern. Most women rock a relatively similar look all year round.
Also, do you think some influencers aren't above getting shredded for summer and then throwing on a Santa hat or staging a photo in front of a turkey mid-July so they can post those months later and appear super fit and lean even on Thanksgiving and Christmas?
That’s kind of like being a parent of a teenager and assuming they’ve been playing Monopoly with their significant other in the basement for the last few hours. Don’t be naive, folks.
As casual as the photos you are seeing on social media may appear, these are professionals.
This is their job, and their paychecks are often on the line based on the success of their photos.
If that were my sole concern in life, I would likely be doing the same exact thing.
In fact, I could see Santa hats in July becoming a real fashion statement for me.
Reason 4 - Photoshop and Other Body Altering Apps Are a Deceptive Mistress
People are literally changing the proportions of their bodies, which means our brains are being conditioned to define a new reality - a warped one.
Yes, men will make their chests and arms bigger while shrinking their waists on Photoshop and other apps.
And women will do the same with their bums and their breasts and their thick thighs and their tiny waists.
Would I do it if all I cared about in life were becoming the next fitness phenom at all costs? As weird as it sounds, I just might.
"Where do we go from here then?"
Since I never want to be the guy who just complains about this or that without providing his own thoughts about a solution or at least a practical step forward, I've got two practical takeaways for you depending on the type of person you are:
Takeaway 1 - Follow People Who Seem to Be Honest
I would say for 9/10 people, it's probably best to follow people that have a reputation for being honest about their genetics, the food they actually eat, and the training they actually perform.
Look for people who don't look absolutely bananas all year round. You should see them in seasons of very lean, seasons of “normal,” and even seasons of slightly fluffy.
Look for women who are brave enough to post unflattering photos of their stomachs or the cellulite on their legs.
Look for men who will post pictures of themselves without a skin-splitting arm pump in hotel room lighting or fresh out of the shower.
And beyond even that, try to follow people that talk and produce content across multiple forums like YouTube or a podcast.
I'm always skeptical of people who only have Instagram accounts because it's just too easy to fake stuff when you've only got one audience to dupe.
Plus, when you talk publicly and you talk often, people can get a sense of your values and what type of person you are on a deeper level. Some great examples of this are Steve Hall from Revive Stronger, Eric Helms of 3DMJ, Christian Guzman from Alphalete, and honestly even any local person in your area that is documenting their own modest fitness journey. To me, those are the most valuable accounts because the transparency and honesty they offer is unmatched when compared to major accounts.
Takeaway 2: Keep the Freaky Folks Around for Motivation and Nothing Else
If you're like me, you shoot for the stars against all odds.
So I literally follow people that I know for a fact are using resources I will never have access to because I like the challenge and the motivation.
"This guy looks like this and he's on drugs? And he's a full-time fitness model so he has all the time in the world to dedicate to his physique? Plus, he has perfectly crafted, macro-friendly meals delivered to his house each morning because he's sponsored?"
Some people would be paralyzed by jealousy and feelings of inadequacy and inferiority, but I personally love the challenge!
I sincerely want to eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner because that’s what drives me to new levels of success and ambition.
At the same time, do I fully realize I may never be able to match the physiques of people like that? Of course. But I’m a dreamer.
That being said, most people are not like me.
For many, negative body image association is lurking viciously around every corner, so I always like to give the following disclaimer.
This type of approach only works if:
You have a really strong perspective on body image and your own self-worth.
If you can't handle it, be honest with yourself and don't hurt yourself by following unhelpful accounts.
You can use the motivation of other physiques while keeping the joy of the entire endeavor in the pursuit - not the end product.
For example, I see physiques of guys on Instagram every day that far exceed my current status. But as I just mentioned, for me it's just extra motivation! I don't compare myself negatively or think less of myself because of them. I see them as an entity of what might be possible if I apply myself to the fullest (whether that is true or not).
To be fully transparent, my favorite physiques on Instagram right now are Mike Thurston, Luis Young, and Steve Cook. And guess what? I will probably never look anything close to these dudes - and that's fine! The joy for me is in the pursuit - not any non-negotiable outcome that I might be tempted to attach to my self-worth.
You have pretty thick skin and a competitive spirit.
This is pretty similar to my second bullet point, but I don't want to leave out the crowd of people who can take a strong right hook on the jaw 10 times in a row and stand up 11.
If you want to be the best and pursue your own genetic potential when it comes to your physique (just like I do), then this approach can be awesome. For example, if some guy out there is working harder than me, I want to know about it, you know?
So if that's you, I think using these somewhat unrealistic but still highly motivational fitness accounts on Instagram can - in some very specific sense - be helpful to you in a dreamer's vacuum.
Summary
Instagram is totally fine to use as long as you can be mature about what you're looking at and know that reality often isn't what's being depicted. Instagram is largely fantasy.
You're looking at pictures of people who do this professionally and will play any card to win another opportunity that may benefit them vocationally.
Lots of people use drugs and lie about it because it's sexier and better for engagement.
Photo editing apps are very much a thing.
A healthier approach long-term for most people is probably to follow people you trust that don't have a million followers. Look for the people who are wildly honest even to the point that you think internally, "Wow, I'm surprised they would put that on social media. That's brave."
Also, just to be clear, I think every influencer I’ve photo-featured in this article does a great job of “keeping it real” while also inspiring their audiences. I just wanted to make that clear to anyone who might have been wondering if I was using them as a “bad” example.
Thanks for reading, everyone! I sincerely hope you enjoyed the content and learned something.
If you feel like this blog brought you any value at all, consider sending it to a friend or family member!
And, if you're interested in working with me one-on-one, visit The Vegan Gym and apply for coaching. I’ve had nothing but success in guiding people toward their fat loss goals.
Cheers, everyone!
-Andrew
