In this week's episode, I explore the origins and evolution of fitness influencing, begging the questions: Have we truly moved past it? Or are today’s fitness influencers simply repackaging the same harmful ideals under new aesthetics and workout trends?
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
4:02 What is a fitness influencer & why they gained popularity
6:10 Media that influenced early online fitness culture: Biggest Loser, VS Fashion Show & ANTM
14:00 First-wave of fitness influencers & their impact
16:37 Kayla Itsines
20:44 Sarah’s Day
23:00 Misogyny in fitness
25:30 Second-wave fitness influencers: weightlifting & bodybuilding
28:18 The online fitness industry now: The “Ozempic craze” & pilates princesses
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Sources:
https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/01/the-retrograde-shame-of-the-biggest-loser/605713/
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https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/young-sa-women-speak-out-about-the-negative-influence-of-kayla-itsines-original-bikini-body-guide/news-story/89c557c44633adb3810b7ee190682b4b?amp&nk=82d5ff632026fe596e041f0ca4fea95d-1650608623
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Duplaga, M. (2020). The Use of Fitness Influencers’ Websites by Young Adult Women: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(17), 6360-. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176360
https://www.tiktok.com/@oprahdaily/video/7463140577324928286
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6UdIgKw4dU