A recent study has found that less than a fifth (20%) of fitness influencers have any related qualifications or credentials, making it hard to choose which fitness advice to take.
Keen to find out more, Live Football Tickets sought to find out which fitness trends may in fact be bad for your health, and how to know which advice is safe to follow within the overwhelming algorithm of social media.
Five fitness trends that may be harmful to your health
- 75 Hard Challenge
The 75 Hard Challenge has taken TikTok by storm having over two billion views under the #75HardChallenge hashtag, with its promised benefits to physical and mental health through following the set rules of the challenge. The challenge entails following a nutrition/eating plan suited to your goals, cutting out alcohol and cheat meals, and completing two 45-minute workouts, drinking a gallon of water and reading 10 pages of a book every day.
Whilst this regime could help build positive habits both for mental and physical health, its effectiveness and safety is compromised if diet plans and exercise plans are not tailored to the individual’s needs.
- 30-day Gallon Water Challenge
The aim of this TikTok health trend which has accumulated over 14 million views, is to drink a gallon (4.5 litres) of water every day for 30 days. Whilst many claim the benefits are less bloating, glowing skin, and increased energy levels, the safety of this amount of water consumption is worth considering. Hyperhydration or overhydration can cause issues such as a cloudy thinking, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness, spasms or cramps and headaches.
- Dry scooping pre-workout powder
Dry scooping pre-workout powder has quickly become a trend across TikTok boasting more than 8 million views, with people believing that it can help the powder absorb more quickly into their system, offering even greater enhancements to their workout performance.
However, the risks of dry scooping can include choking and difficulty breathing, as well as more severe outcomes such as abnormally elevated heart rate due to an excessive intake of caffeine.
- Fasting Challenges
Most fasting challenges on TikTok centre around intermittent fasting, which many people claim has numerous benefits to health. Despite these claims, it is important to be aware of the risks involved in any fasting challenge, as any form of fasting deprives the body of a certain amount of nutrients for a period of time, meaning it is essential to consult a doctor or nutritionist prior to taking part in this.
- Apple cider vinegar trend
Apple cider vinegar has been trending as a means of weight loss, fat reduction, and reducing appetite. However, numerous reports have stated that it is not in fact helpful for weight loss, and instead comes with cautions. For example, apple cider vinegar is highly acidic, which may trigger irritation or damage to your throat if you drink it often or in large amounts.
Donna Callander, Director of Offbeat Marketing Ltd and Fitness Coach, commented:
Always consult a doctor or qualified nutritionist before starting any new fitness challenge or diet to ensure that whatever you have chosen is right for you. Be aware that influencers and people doing the challenges are there to sell and you will never see the full picture – so take that into account before making any decisions. And finally, ensure that if you are looking at adverts and they are AI, do not fall into the trap of thinking that you will get the same results shown by the AI model.
Donna Callander, Director of Offbeat Marketing Ltd and Fitness Coach
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.
