Let’s get real for a second. There’s this weird trend where people get judged for working out to look good. It’s like we’re supposed to say we’re only exercising for performance or to become superhuman.

Newsflash: Wanting to look good is totally okay.

The Unspoken Truth

While we’re all about celebrating what our bodies can do, we’ve somehow forgotten that looking good often kicks off a lifelong love for fitness.

Who hasn’t watched Arnold Schwarzenegger in Conan the Barbarian and thought, “Dang, I want to look like that!” Or been wowed by Sylvester Stallone’s muscles in the Rocky movies? Maybe Jean-Claude Van Damme’s high kicks in Bloodsport got your inner athlete excited. The 80s action heroes were the ultimate mix of strength, power, and looks for many of us. They made us hit the gym, chasing that feeling of confidence in our own bodies. And along the way, we found a ton of other benefits we didn’t even think about:

A Symphony of Benefits for Everyone

Wanting to look good can be a huge motivator, but exercise benefits us in so many other ways:

Confidence Boost

Imagine rocking that outfit you’ve been eyeing or feeling awesome on your next beach trip. As your body changes, so does your confidence. That glow shows, making you unstoppable in everything you do.

Mental Health

Exercise isn’t just about muscles; it’s a brain booster. Working out releases endorphins – those happy chemicals that make you smile. It also fights stress, anxiety, and depression. Think of it as moving meditation, a way to quiet your mind and find peace.

Energy Surge

We all have days where we feel drained. But regular exercise is like plugging into a power source. It boosts your energy, helping you tackle your tasks and still have fun.

Better Sleep

Struggling to sleep? Exercise can help. It helps you fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, and wake up ready to conquer the world. Sweet dreams!

Sense of Accomplishment

There’s nothing like nailing a tough workout or hitting a fitness goal. These wins, big or small, fill you with a sense of achievement that spreads into every part of your life.

Heart Health

Your heart will thank you. Exercise strengthens your heart, improves blood flow, and lowers the risk of heart disease – a leading cause of death. It’s like giving your heart a high-five every time you work out.

Brain Boost

Think of exercise as a mental tune-up. It improves memory, cognitive function, and creativity. Whether studying or brainstorming, exercise helps you think clearer and perform better.

Stronger Bones and Joints

Exercise strengthens bones and joints, improves flexibility, and reduces the risk of osteoporosis and arthritis. It helps you stay strong and mobile for years to come.

These benefits are the same ones we talk about when we mention training for function or athleticism. So why judge when the initial goal is to look good? The journey to a better body often leads to discovering a stronger, healthier, and more confident you.

The Data Doesn’t Lie

Don’t just take my word for it. A quick Google search shows that surveys and studies back this up. For example, a 2020 survey by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) found the top three reasons people exercise are to lose weight (58%), improve overall health (51%), and improve appearance (50%). A 2019 study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research also found that looking better was a big motivator, especially for women.

The Toxic Cycle of Fitness Shaming: Why It Needs to Stop

Telling someone their fitness goals are “shallow” or “wrong” is like throwing a bucket of ice water on their motivation. It’s a toxic judgment that can have serious consequences, especially for newbies. Imagine walking into a gym for the first time, feeling nervous, and then being judged. It’s enough to make anyone want to leave and never come back.

Fitness shaming is sneaky. It looks like well-meaning advice but is really just criticism. It tells us that wanting to look good isn’t valid, that feeling confident in our skin is superficial or vain. This negativity can hurt our self-esteem and make us question our worth.

The worst part is, fitness shaming often comes from those closest to us. Friends, family, even fitness pros can discourage us with their words. Comments about “vanity muscles” or implying that our efforts are a waste can chip away at our confidence.

But fitness shaming isn’t just hurtful; it’s counterproductive. Research shows that body shaming, including fitness shaming, leads to less physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, and a higher risk of eating disorders. It can also cause depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

The irony is that the activities we criticise others for – lifting weights, running, taking fitness classes – are the very things that help achieve physical and mental health benefits. Whether training for a marathon, mastering a yoga pose, or just wanting to feel good, our motivation doesn’t make our workouts less valuable.

We need to ditch the judgment and support all reasons for exercising. Let’s celebrate every reason to work out, from wanting to look good to improving mental health or just having fun. When we lift each other up instead of tearing each other down, everyone can thrive.