Social networking platforms bring the best of the world’s personal trainers and fitness gurus right into your home. However, they also bring people posing as fitness experts to quickly build a following. How can you tell the difference and follow only the best fitness influencers? Here are five ways to tell if a fitness influencer can truly help you on a personal health journey.
1. Check Their Athletic Skills
Many fitness experts have some level of athletic experience. It’s common, however, for untrustworthy influencers to exaggerate their level of expertise in a sport. If an influencer claims to be a high-level athlete in a particular field, research their recent accomplishments.
The great news is that many legitimate professional athletes offer health and fitness guidance. USANA athletes are a diverse group of professionals at the highest levels of their respective sports. Olympic-level wrestlers, skiers, boxers, surfers and more feature in this impressive lineup. Following one of these athletes can provide plenty of inspiration for a healthy lifestyle.
2. Look for Certifications and Experience
If an influencer gives in-depth advice and styles themselves as a personal trainer, be sure they’re speaking from a place of genuine knowledge. Personal trainers usually require certification from an approved organization before they can work at a commercial gym.
Look closely at any credentials or experience a fitness influencer claims to have. Some influencers create fun, low-impact workout routines that don’t necessarily require professional experience to be effective. For more intense influencers, a multi-year history of working at the same gym is a good start. A degree in kinesiology or exercise science is even better. The top personal mobile trainers have professional athletes as clients.
3. See if They Cite Their Sources
Fitness influencers often use facts and figures to demonstrate expertise. If an influencer uses facts or studies, check to see if they cite the source of this information in the post or video.
Merely mentioning the source in passing isn’t as reliable as linking to the source directly. A direct link shows that the influencer is confident in the information they’re presenting and that they’re not taking advantage of their followers. If you look up a mentioned source and have trouble finding the fact the influencer cited, then they may be embellishing the truth.
4. Examine Their Pictures for Camera Tricks
Unfortunately, some fitness influencers manipulate their photos to give a false sense of your possible results. Learn to spot camera tricks to easily identify untrustworthy fitness influencers.
Taking misleading pictures doesn’t always mean resorting to photoshop. Camera angles, poses, lighting and even the day of the week all affect how an influencer looks in a picture. Here are a few signs that an influencer’s pictures may not be completely trustworthy:
- Many pictures taken from unconventional angles
- Objects in the background that are warped or distorted
- Before and after photos with different clothing, poses and lighting
5. Beware of Big Promises
Many fitness influencers make a splash by promising results in a certain number of weeks or even days. Other influencers advertise one amazing workout that will accomplish any fitness goal. While 30-day challenges can provide great inspiration on a fitness journey, they’re not a foolproof path to quick results.
Approach any big claims from a fitness influencer with a level head. Most experts agree that the healthiest fitness journey is slow, gradual and involves lifelong changes.
A trustworthy influencer offers tips on consistency and habit forming, rather than promising rapid changes. Trustworthy fitness influencers are honest about the challenges and setbacks of a fitness journey as well as the accomplishments and results. Look for someone who speaks openly about both the highs and lows of getting into shape.
The wide array of fitness influencers online means that anyone can find an influencer who resonates with them. Perform a few simple checks to make sure that the influencer you choose is worthy of your time and your trust.
