How Things Look
‘Things are not always what they seem’ could well be paraphrased to ‘exercises seen on social media are not always what they seem.’
I say this based on the increasing conversations I have with individuals wanting to try the ‘cool moves’ done by their favorite celebrities. Along with the conversations I also have about injuries that need to be addressed, after having attempted exercises seen on the internet.
Exercises that look fluid and easy, even graceful, often tempt us into wanting to try the same. We overlook the work and time required to reach that level - to make the movement look like that.
Our estimation of our own fitness levels may sometimes be off the mark. Seeing powerful, strong movements encourages us to want to do the same. Even if our bodies are not ready for them.
Exercises that appear simple to do and therefore ‘boring’ are easily dismissed. In fact, often those are the moves that require strength, deep muscle engagements and connections.
As I often point out ‘to make a movement look easy and simple requires a lot of work.’ That they do not look grand does not mean anything!
More often than not the exercises seen on social media, demonstrated by celebrities, social influencers, and ‘experts’, are done with a lack of good form, muscular engagements and attention to safety and posture.
Following these movements can result in building stress and lead to injuries.
I have clients who bring me such videos just to be able to point out how the moves are not being done correctly.
Of course, they are very pleased that they are able to pick up on the incorrectly done patterns!
To be honest I’m pleased too, that they are able to see the difference!!
However, I often see individuals, who otherwise are so rational in their thinking and approach, get taken up by such posts and fall prey to any or all of the above!
My constant reminder to them, ‘Don’t judge an exercise by how it looks.’
Anjali Sareen has been in the fitness, rehab, and movement field for over 30 years. Read more about Anjali and her team’s approach to fitness and movement.
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