Sparking interest: Lift, pump, push, pull, and legs. What do they all have in common? The fact that gym goers will say them about 4-5 times a day. As of recently there has begun a spike in the popularity of “gym culture” in teenagers. The gym is becoming seen as a sanctuary of sorts, but is that exactly a good thing, or does it have a major cost on teenagers bodies and minds as they slowly absorb all that weightlifting has to offer.
Mental Benefits: The gym has long been seen as a strong and in depth therapy for consistent visitors, with many going as far as to say that they rely on the gym whenever they are in low places. This isn’t just a theory though, this “therapy” is scientifically backed up as an effective method in battling mental issues arguably better than some over-the-counter medicines.
- Moderate exercise can fundamentally improve ones sleep, reduce depression symptoms, increase endurance, and heavily decrease anxiety\
- Consistent exercise can reduce the risk of schizophrenia
- On top of all over mental benefits, physical benefits can reduce self-imposed body dysmorphia and increase overall athletic performance
Social Influence: One of the major reasons for the spike in weightlifting stems from a strong social media presence, with recent rises of influences such as Sam Sulek, Max Taylor, or the Tren Twins. This strong media influence has been around for ages with other famous body building competitors like Arnold Schwarzenegger, or Tom Platz. Although these celebrities were known for their body building, they have seen a shed of light to the new generation thanks to other influencers copying their training routines or name dropping their achievements in videos.
The positives of social media: With new names sparking around the world at an accelerated rate, a large following has begun to follow their leads to properly grow their body and improve their physical appearance and abilities.
- Social media has began to open the door for newer gym members to begin the process of becoming a repetitive gym goer.
- Social media allows a lesser known sub-genre of people to gain more members and to become a popular place for people to converse and healthily handle personal issues.
The lesser known side effects: With every positive always comes a negative, even when it comes to pursuing you’re own body or physical capabilities.
- With such a large following, some influencers are becoming an icon and a goal to live up to, however, that goal can be years and years in the making for most individuals. This affect of idolization has consequently led to some relying on anabolic steroids such as Tren, Test, or Gear.
- The side affects that occur from these steroids can be massive. From little things like increased acne, all the way to severe depression. So to follow and idolized a duo that have self-proclaimed themselves as the Tren twins, a follower must tread lightly and look for healthy, non-stimulated ways to assist themselves.
Under the influence: “Social media has really affected the way I see myself” says senior and Better Built gym member Noah Hewett, “I get on YouTube and watch these huge 260 pound muscle filled lifters lifting 4x as much as me and it can really mess with your head sometimes.”
Trouble in iron paradise: Many influencers as of lately have been called out on their misuse of steroids or their claims to be fake natural lifters. These claims create a whole new world of issues and misconceptions about what a humans natural potential is, whether its strength or physique wise.
- “All those guys are on all sorts of stuff” says Hewett, “From test, to Tren and D-bol. Just makes you want to give it a try and see if it’s really that bad”
Scheduled Success: Contrary to the “easy way out” through steroids and other harmful substances, there is a way to gain muscle, strength, and physique naturally. Although it may take time there are ways to work and see noticeable results within 3 months of working out.
- Schedule a routine, whether that is the “Push-Pull method” or the 5 day split. A routine will allow you to keep track of your progress and keep your body from being sore or even damaged.
- Diet can make up 75% of the progress needed for either weight gain or loss. This effectively can decrease the time spent toward ones goal either slightly, or drastically.
- What might be most the most important, is consistency. Constantly returning to the gym and keeping yourself accountable will lead to the best results.
Fit-fluent thoughts:
- “I started noticing progress about two weeks in” says senior Ian Williamson “I noticed I was stronger and looked better, I also felt better”
- “I think lifting should be promoted” says Junior Noah Borton, “It helped me with any type of stress, worry, anxiety, and many other issues”
