The gym, at its core, is a place where you leave your troubles at the door, a place to escape reality and a place to improve yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. 

Pre-2022, the gym community on social media was filled with positive lifters helping newer/inexperienced lifters meet their goals. Personally, when I first started lifting, gym content creators were a great tool to have in my back pocket. Videos of people giving other lifters gym tips, knowledge about what certain lifts will target, and correcting forms were helpful for me. Personal trainers were not necessary because I had multiple content creators who gave me tips, which was a blessing. 

Since 2022, the gym community has changed for the worse, and there are a few things to blame — gym creators lying about their use of steroids, brand endorsements/TikTok shop and tearing down/intimidating new lifters. 

Claiming that you are a natural lifter yet taking steroids is not only hypocritical, but also damaging to your health and your audience’s self-esteem. 

When an aspiring gym rat sees a content creator with their dream body, they do not question how they got those muscles. When a creator is not open about steroid use, it creates unrealistic expectations for the audience who believe that the creator’s body is naturally obtainable. When a new lifter sticks to a routine for a few months and does not turn into Ronnie Coleman like the people they watch on TikTok, it not only destroys their self-esteem but also depletes their motivation to continue their fitness journey. 

I am not saying that people who take steroids do not work for their appearance. Steroids are a tool to help aid muscle recovery and overall boost the size of muscles. They are not a magical substance. You still must follow a strict weight-training routine to get where you want to be. However, it is not attainable naturally. There is only so much the human body can do without steroids, which is why it is important to clarify if you are using steroids. 

False naturals also tie into brand endorsements and the TikTok Shop. 

The TikTok Shop is a place within TikTok where companies can sell their products. The app has a feature where creators can tag the shop page in the description of their video, this led to brands endorsing content creators to make videos selling their products to the creator’s audience. 

While a smart business move, it has led to many downfalls within certain communities, especially the gym community. 

Most big gym creators either have their brand or are sponsored by popular gym brands. Sponsorships are a part of business, I understand that; however, when you have a Greek god who is not open about their steroid use saying, “Buy this brand’s creatine and you will look like me in no time,” that’s not only creating false promises, but it’s also morally wrong. 

I do not blame the creators for taking these deals. If I were offered part of Scrooge McDuck’s fortune, I’d dive right in… who would not? However, if influencers were open about their steroid use (some are), there would be no issue. When someone who uses steroids tries to sell me something, I do not bother buying it. From a brand’s perspective, it makes the brand look bad like they are ripping off their customers. 

Gym content creators directly impact how we treat others in the gym.

Newer-age gym content creators focus only on promoting their bodies and products. Gym content was aimed at spreading the love of the gym, encouraging a healthy lifestyle and giving tips to new lifters. Now, it is only about self-promotion and brand deals. The gym community has “gone Hollywood.”

We as a community must ask ourselves, do we make the right people famous? Why don’t people who make informative videos to help inexperienced lifters learn more about health and bodybuilding never get talked about anymore? Why are we tolerating the constant advertisements?

Former 26th President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” The only person you should be comparing yourself to is you.

You look phenomenal the way you are. Being on your fitness journey is something to be proud of. Making that first step to a healthier life is such a massive achievement. Do not let anyone belittle your achievements and remember why you started. 

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