Fitness is the way to a healthy life, but fitness comes at a cost- it requires consistency and beyond. However, for the youngsters it’s always about instant solutions and this is how the term fitness-fad came into being. Fitness Fad is synonymous with aesthetically pleasing health trends and so the health and wellness industry is teeming with innovations that promise transformative outcomes in remarkable time frames. Options such as new diet plans, wellness practices, exercise routines, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and exotic superfoods are introduced to hasten weight loss.
Why Fitness?
When it comes to the young generation, the dependance on machines and tech has reduced physical work, which ultimately increases the need of physical activity to maintain fitness. According to a 2022 WHO report, 66% of people in India die of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The primary causes of NCD are genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors. Dr. Sri Ram Kaurav, MD, MY Hospital, Indore, told Financial Express Online “Indian people are genetically prone to such diseases and lifestyle changes, and practising fitness as a part of life is the option one can choose to achieve health and wellness.”
Behind the hype: Are these fitness fads really effective?
Fitness enthusiasts and influencers require something that will captivate their audience and followers, so they must release something new regularly that will assist others in achieving their fitness goals. It is not necessary that all of these fads work effectively for them.
On these short-term trends, Dr. Kaurav opined, “To acquire a fitness goal in the short-term is the need of celebrities; as per their profession requirements, it is compulsion for them to acquire all these goals under expert supervision and sometimes even their health is at stake following these fads.”
Ranu Tiwari, a 31 year old fitness enthusiast and a new mother denied following any celebrity mother inspired fad to get back in shape, she told Financial Express Online, “No I am not gonna follow any celebrity goal as each motherhood is unique. I will enjoy my motherhood in my way”.
Speaking about celebrity influence Dr. Kaurav added, “These celebrities and influencers are not even qualified to educate others; they share these fads either by reading something from the internet or to market their ideas or collaborate with brands.”
What else do you need to know?
These promise quick results and renewed vitality. Sometimes these are simply introduced into the market to deceive you, to promote the sales of some new brands, or to promote the sale of something that you and your body do not require at all.
“The unrealistic portrayals and exaggerated claims surrounding many of these fads can contribute to body image issues, disordered eating patterns, and an unhealthy fixation on physical appearance rather than holistic well-being. The constant barrage of influencer marketing may also foster a sense of inadequacy or pressure to conform to certain beauty standards or fitness ideals”, Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee , Senior Consultant , Internal Medicine , Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals told financial express online,
It is crucial for us to determine whether they are realistic or just passing fancies fueled by internet and social media trends. Realistic fitness goals are never achieved by chasing temporary fitness fads but by long-term, sustainable practices. Sometimes they are effective, but most of the time they are not, and the cycle continues.
Conclusion:
Genuine well-being goes beyond the superficial attractiveness of fads, emphasising the need for individualised approaches that prioritise physical and mental health.
Calling fitness a life-time commitment, Dr Sriram reiterated that, “Fitness cannot be sustained by short-term trends, in-fact these trends can lead to hormonal disbalance, and instead of making you fit, it can do the opposite”.
Meanwhile, Dr. Suranjit called out influencer marketing merits in terms of generating interest and awareness, but he also said, “It is crucial for the younger generation to approach these trends with a critical eye, prioritise sustainable and balanced routines, and focus on overall health rather than solely chasing the latest craze.”
Holistic wellness recognizes the interdependence of numerous aspects of life, such as nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management.