Following a surge in gym culture over social media, influencers have been praised for their effectiveness in boosting the gym industry.
Gym culture has became mainstream on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, inviting users to post their regimes, beliefs, and fitness hacks in the online space.
UniActive customer service and finance manager Callum McGoldrick said the rise in online gym culture has allowed users to see into the lives of the fitness community.
“It’s influenced the gym community in being able to see more stuff that’s been happening through gym, and getting more exposure to more people,” Mr McGoldrick said.
“I think just generally, having more and more people that can access social media and sort of, not even need to necessarily always come to a gym, but they get those sort of resources online.”
Mr McGoldrick said that the online gym culture assists the mindset of those within the gym community as well.
“Being able to reach more people across the spectrum is really good,” Mr McGoldrick said.
“Not everyone has the capacity or the financial means to always come to the gym, so I believe that the online (influencers are helping others).”
Online gym culture typically involves social media influencers promoting healthy lifestyle habits including workout routines and healthy dieting advice.
UniActive Health & Fitness Manager Claire Rayner said she has seen a difference in gym culture due to the community.
“I’ve worked here [UniActive] for 23 years now, so I’ve seen the trends of the gym change a lot,” Ms Rayner said.
“Obviously all the socials, especially with the young people, I mean, our major age demographic is students so that 18 to 25 year olds.
“Yeah, they’re really getting into, not just the gym, but fitness overall, and health.
“I think the socials are definitely influencing people to just take care of themselves as well.”
The online fitness community has grown over time, earning nicknames like ‘FitTok’ and ‘Gymfluencers’.
Mr McGoldrick said despite the positives of online gym culture, there are also negatives.
“A negative (is seeing) the perfect gym body essentially,” Mr McGoldrick said.
“That’s always online, and that can be a bit intimidating to some people, so I think certainly around people’s self-esteem there could probably have some negatives because they only ever see the fittest of the fit doing all these online gym things and people don’t necessarily- they can’t necessarily relate to that themselves.”
Gym-goer Max Cachia echoed this and said a large talking point with online gym culture is body positivity.
“I reckon it wouild have different effects for different people,” Mr Cachia said.
“For some, it would probably motivate them to work out and become fit and healthy.
“For others, it may just make them insecure about their bodies.”
Video: Whether it’s lifting heavy weights hoping for a new PR, running on a treadmill until your lungs give out for an endurance test or simply stretching with friends in a group exercise, the gym is made for anyone and everyone, regardless of experience or stature. But it can also help connections within a community, as UOWTV’s Harry Mellare discovered.
