Fit Villains: Selfish, Shameless, Sassy, Fitness.

The VAST majority of body shaming is subtle and it’s often unintended.

For example, a popular way to encourage women to lift weights is using a photo comparison: a leanish, fit woman (like a fitness model) compared to a female body builder or weight lifter. The intention is to dispell the myth that strength training will make you bulky and encourage women to hit the weights. Bulky: bad. Lean: good. It’s pretty clear from the image & tone which is more “desirable”.

Is bulk a real fear that needs addressing? Sure. But if you were a female body builder, working her ass off and loving her muscles, how do you think that image would make you feel?

The intention is admirable and the message is true: it’s very hard for the average woman to put on that kind of size (and involves much more than just lifting heavier. These women eat, sleep & breathe their routine, it’s not an accident). But there’s no need to put down ladies who prefer a little more muscle than average. They work hard, train hard, and although they may not represent the ideal, they are still REAL.

(And… the fitness model body isn’t exactly a realistic goal either. You can get stronger, lose body fat and change the shape of your body with strength training. But chances are, you won’t look like her either. You’ll look like YOU. With your body, even if it changes. But you’ll feel bad ass).

Something to keep in mind as you promote strength training benefits! There’s no need to compare women in order to get the message across. :)