Natty or Not

maizyfmf

Do you think it's important for fitness influencers to declare whether they take enhancement drugs or not?

sollyn23l2

Personally, no. It's their own business. However, if they claim to be natty when they're not... I take issue with that.

paperpudding

What does natty mean?

Lietchi

paperpudding wrote: »

What does natty mean?

= natural?

maizyfmf

I think it's a bit misleading to some individuals who may aspire to look like their fitness idol. For example: what about those influencers who share thier full workout and eating plans...but leave out the supplemental and enhancement part of the process. It may leave the general watcher confused as to why they are not seeing adequate results, and or may never look like their fitness idol without drugs.

claireychn074

Yes. I feel quiet strongly about this. If you’re using your physique as your brand (ie being an influencer and making money from it) then you need to be honest about how you got there. I’m fed up of seeing young girls (yep I’m on a soap box) spiralling into eating disorders and hating themselves as the six exercises the influencer promoted with the diet drink DIDN’T give them a perfect physique in two weeks. Stop lying.

If you’re a private individual who posts - ie not making money - then do what you want.

ninerbuff

Lol, I laugh at male fitness gurus who are over 50+ and "ripped" stating that their workout method is what keeps their body. None ever admit testosterone therapy or PED's as the other aid.
I don't care if people use them. But if they are an influencer, I think they should also be honest about everything they do and use.
People ask if I take preworkout. I don't, but I do use a stimulant that lasts a long time and is somewhat controversial for some. I use a product that has 25mg of ephedra in it everyday.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

maizyfmf

I couldn't agree more with the previous comments. Everyone is being mislead most of the time; in turn, leads to body disphoria, eating disorders and more!

Plus we all know age effects musle growth and retention...so it's obviously some of the 50+ year olds who have the Viens popping may be popping more than just vitamins...

Also, I'm pretty sure that Ephedra is banned where I'm from..(Canada). W.e it is people take, I say, just be honest and be careful!

_John_

I think being open is beneficial for many reasons.

Because it's so taboo, so many males assume that being on gear is all that separates them from having a contest worthy physique. And that's just not the case.

But this constant parading of physiques that are either decade(s) long transitions naturally or years on gear with elite genetics makes it so misleading what is healthy and attainable.

Also, there's a crapload that goes on with "peaking" that makes the physiques in pictures so misleading. Having muscles full of glycogen while a person virtually dehydrated is not what folks look like "just walking around".

AnnPT77

Lying or misrepresentation is wrong - poor character or unethical, depending on situation. Lying or misrepresentation for financial benefit is very wrong, highly unethical, in some contexts even illegal.

I don't see why lying about or misrepresenting one's fitness background is different from that basic idea, personally.

beagletracks

Here’s an interesting perspective on fitness influencers:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/10/well/move/fitness-influencers.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

(Sorry if someone already posted this. And yes, I think fitness influencers should be completely honest and transparent and doing their best to help people. I agree 100% with @AnnPT77 )

ninerbuff

AnnPT77 wrote: »

Lying or misrepresentation is wrong - poor character or unethical, depending on situation. Lying or misrepresentation for financial benefit is very wrong, highly unethical, in some contexts even illegal.

I don't see why lying about or misrepresenting one's fitness background is different from that basic idea, personally.

Ah Ann, it's because the almighty dollar reigns supreme and so many will lie, cheat, and misrepresent to attain financial gain. All you have to do is look at the supplement industry.



A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

AnnPT77

ninerbuff wrote: »

AnnPT77 wrote: »

Lying or misrepresentation is wrong - poor character or unethical, depending on situation. Lying or misrepresentation for financial benefit is very wrong, highly unethical, in some contexts even illegal.

I don't see why lying about or misrepresenting one's fitness background is different from that basic idea, personally.

Ah Ann, it's because the almighty dollar reigns supreme and so many will lie, cheat, and misrepresent to attain financial gain. All you have to do is look at the supplement industry.



A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I'm not naive (at age 67 FFS!), @ninerbuff.

That they think they have reasons doesn't change the ethics/morality.

I understand why they do it. I even expect it.

But it's wrong-itty wrong Wrong WRONG.

ninerbuff

AnnPT77 wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

AnnPT77 wrote: »

Lying or misrepresentation is wrong - poor character or unethical, depending on situation. Lying or misrepresentation for financial benefit is very wrong, highly unethical, in some contexts even illegal.

I don't see why lying about or misrepresenting one's fitness background is different from that basic idea, personally.

Ah Ann, it's because the almighty dollar reigns supreme and so many will lie, cheat, and misrepresent to attain financial gain. All you have to do is look at the supplement industry.



A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I'm not naive (at age 67 FFS!), @ninerbuff.

That they think they have reasons doesn't change the ethics/morality.

I understand why they do it. I even expect it.

But it's wrong-itty wrong Wrong WRONG.

Agree. Even the Fitness industry does a lot of over exaggeration on equipment, training programs, etc. to make an extra few bucks. My big one has always been telling women they are "toning" when doing say a "sculpt" class.
Never heard of a "toning" curl or "toning" squat. But the word alone feminizes "weight lifting".

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Professor_Armstrong

yeah, so the viewers know which physiques are achievable naturally

sollyn23l2

Professor_Armstrong wrote: »

yeah, so the viewers know which physiques are achievable naturally

I would argue most people have little to no idea what is and isn't possible naturally. Have you ever looked at their followers comments? They pretty much believe whatever their chosen idol tells them. After all, Elvis never did no drugs🤣

ninerbuff

Another fitness influencer died at 30 who pushed his body to the extreme.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb4m_3Ca3BY


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

kshama2001

I'm 56 and didn't get any critical thinking until college. It should be taught much earlier. As soon as children are allowed access to the internet and social media, they should also learn how to evaluate what they are seeing.

I used to work for the guy who used Alicia Machado, the Miss Universe who "got fat," as the spokeswoman for his diet pill, which he did not sell in the US.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqkjh5Lxkhw

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1997/05/16/miss-universe-sizing-up-her-reign/4b76f45c-aaa9-4b44-8acf-39f2d4af7598/

"I was anorexic and bulimic, but almost all of us are," Machado says without so much as a blink. "When I was preparing for Miss Universe, it was an obsession for me to not gain weight. By the time I won, I was actually recovering. But the year leading to it, I didn't eat at all. And whatever I ate, I threw up. I weighed 116 pounds when I won. I was skeletal."

maizyfmf

ninerbuff wrote: »

Another fitness influencer died at 30 who pushed his body to the extreme.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb4m_3Ca3BY


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

It's sad because he had underlining health issues and also used steroids... Who knows exactly the cause of death. Over exercise, steroids, or his underlining health issues

maizyfmf

kshama2001 wrote: »

I'm 56 and didn't get any critical thinking until college. It should be taught much earlier. As soon as children are allowed access to the internet and social media, they should also learn how to evaluate what they are seeing.

I used to work for the guy who used Alicia Machado, the Miss Universe who "got fat," as the spokeswoman for his diet pill, which he did not sell in the US.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqkjh5Lxkhw

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1997/05/16/miss-universe-sizing-up-her-reign/4b76f45c-aaa9-4b44-8acf-39f2d4af7598/

"I was anorexic and bulimic, but almost all of us are," Machado says without so much as a blink. "When I was preparing for Miss Universe, it was an obsession for me to not gain weight. By the time I won, I was actually recovering. But the year leading to it, I didn't eat at all. And whatever I ate, I threw up. I weighed 116 pounds when I won. I was skeletal."

Critical thinking is definitely necessary! Find the motive, which is usually money and you'll realize everything has a "catch". This is definitely why body disphoria is a thing ... Unreal and Unsafe.

jdogdiggitydo

Nutritional labels for fitness influencers and financial statements for all others.

MacLowCarbing

Usually I would say how you lose weight is no one's business, but if you're gonna try and package and market a specific plan then I think you should have to disclose if it worked for you, if you used any other tool or method or supplement, etc.

ninerbuff

MacLowCarbing wrote: »

Usually I would say how you lose weight is no one's business, but if you're gonna try and package and market a specific plan then I think you should have to disclose if it worked for you, if you used any other tool or method or supplement, etc.

Yeah in the fitness industry, they will hardly ever say what they used if they are getting big attention. Everyone wants to be thought of as natural as possible because if you get the attachment of using PED's or any enhancement of any kind, you'll get ridiculed. That's NOT to say they didn't work hard to get where they are, but especially with pro competitors, you're likely not going to find anyone who's not using something chemically to enhance their physique.


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

nolongergordo

Definitely,

Putting to one side the commercial interests linked to supplement sales and social media click monies we have a lot of kids and grown people who are convinced that we have humans in their 50's / 60's ripped like Greek gods from chicken, rice and broccoli.

I mean, is it possible? Sure. Is it likely? Nope.

We have a few genetic outliers out here but most are just out liars, imho.

Theoldguy1

Smart people don't get their fitness/exercise/diet information from some self proclaimed influencer, that is obviously on gear or every camera angle looks to taken half way up a butt crack.

Smart people look at the qualifications of the people providing information.

EricExtreme

As a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and fitness center general manager, I wholeheartedly believe that influencers should be transparent about everything they eat/drink and supplement with their fitness routines to not create unachievable goals for their followers. Many of the influencers preach about exercise or nutrition but fail to mention they are taking PEDs or steroids to help them. Being someone in the fitness industry, I find it dishonest when influencers don't tell the whole story.

Theoldguy1

EricExtreme wrote: »

As a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and fitness center general manager, I wholeheartedly believe that influencers should be transparent about everything they eat/drink and supplement with their fitness routines to not create unachievable goals for their followers. Many of the influencers preach about exercise or nutrition but fail to mention they are taking PEDs or steroids to help them. Being someone in the fitness industry, I find it dishonest when influencers don't tell the whole story.

Agree 100% plus, the photo/video techniques used can make a huge difference in appearance. Back in the 1980's a college roommate had a huge infatuation with the Chicago Honey Bears (Chicago Bears dance team), had the posters, etc. Several of them made an appearance at a local mall. He was very disappointed they didn't look anything like the poster. And this was long before the photo/video editing tools we have today. Same thing, another friend worked with a woman that was a centerfold in Playboy. He said she was okay looking in real life, but not that special.

cwolfman13

I think "influencers" in general should be taken with a huge grain of salt, and the vast majority of them ignored completely.

Retroguy2000

I don't necessarily think they need to declare it, but some of them do need to be more honest. Don't make false claims that everything you've achieved is natural. Don't lie about it if asked. Don't be selling your fitness gear or drinks without being transparent about what else you're on.

I'm tired of the Hollywood "chicken and rice" crap too, for every actor's rapid transformation from average to huge. Pushing articles about their workouts in magazines and YT (and those are clearly crap too, no way they built those bodies with those garbage routines), and saying they ate chicken and rice constantly. Oh yeah, and what else?

Interviewers could do much better too when talking to these actors, but for access reasons presumably they don't want to. Maybe they'll ask if the guy is on steroids and the guy laughs it off without really answering, but steroids aren't the only things they might be on so even if they honestly say no, that doesn't mean they aren't taking other things, or weren't taking steroids before.

Theoldguy1

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I think "influencers" in general should be taken with a huge grain of salt, and the vast majority of them ignored completely.

Yep, if someone has to refer to themselves as an influencer, most likely their advice isn't worth listening to.