How toxic is gym culture fitness into an obsession?
Every time Sarah stepped into the gym, she felt anxious. The walls were covered with images of
idealised bodies, and the air buzzed with conversations about the latest diet trends and weight
loss hacks. Driven by a desire to fit in, Sarah’s casual workouts turned into obsessive routines,
and her balanced diet morphed into an eating disorder. Sarah is not alone; many others are
trapped in the toxic cycle of gym culture, where the pursuit of fitness often comes at the cost of
mental health.
Understanding toxic gym culture and its effects
Gym culture can have both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, it promotes a
healthy lifestyle and helps individuals socialise with like-minded people. However, it also has the
potential to breed body shaming, unhealthy obsessions, and other harmful behaviours. Is gym culture toxic?
Research published in the *Journal of Eating Disorders* discovered that people who frequently attend gyms
are more likely to develop eating disorders than the general population. Around 6.8% of male and
14.0% of female gym-goers exhibited behaviours indicative of an eating disorder. The rise of fitness
influencers promoting unhealthy gym culture exacerbates these issues.
What is Toxic Gym Culture?
Toxic gym culture creates an environment where individuals feel judged, excluded, or pressured
to conform to certain behaviours. Examples include body shaming, unrealistic body standards, and
an excessive focus on aesthetics over health. This can lead to eating disorders, self-harm, and
other serious mental health issues. Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
often feature fitness influencers with highly toned and sculpted physiques, reinforcing unrealistic
body standards many users strive to achieve.
How toxic gym culture fuels eating disorders and mental health issues.
Eating disorders are severe mental health conditions that can affect anyone. Individuals with
eating disorders engage in unhealthy eating behaviours to manage challenging emotions or
situations. These behaviours may include restricting food intake, binge eating, purging through
vomiting or misuse of laxatives, fasting, excessive exercising, or a combination of these actions. A
study in the *Journal of American College Health* found that 45% of male college students and
63% of female college students who regularly attend the gym reported significant body
dissatisfaction, a risk factor for developing eating disorders.
Signs of a Toxic Gym Environment
Several behaviours and attitudes indicate a toxic gym environment:
– Body Shaming and Judgment: Criticizing or mocking others’ bodies or fitness levels.
– Unhealthy Competition: Encouraging excessive rivalry instead of fostering a supportive
community.
– Lack of Inclusivity: Failing to create a welcoming environment for all body types, genders, and
fitness levels.
– Promotion of Unrealistic Body Standards: Displaying images or posters of only extremely fit,
often unattainable physiques.
– Encouraging Harmful Behaviors: Promoting extreme diets, supplements, or workout routines.
– Bullying and Harassment: Staff or members intimidating or harassing others.
– Neglecting Mental Health: Ignoring the mental well-being of members.
Psychological Effects
Constant exposure to unrealistic body standards can lead to:
– Low self-esteem
– Body dysmorphia
– Anxiety
– Depression
Social comparison and the pressure to conform can cause serious mental health issues. Many
gym-goers exhibit compulsive exercise behaviours, which are closely linked to eating disorders.
Approximately 25-30% of individuals with eating disorders engage in compulsive exercise,
typically as a method to manage their weight and shape.
Combating Toxic Gym Culture
To combat toxic gym culture:
– Choose Inclusive Gyms: Select gyms that promote body positivity and inclusivity.
– Follow Positive Influencers: Follow fitness influencers who emphasise health over appearance
to set realistic goals and avoid unhealthy obsessions.
– Avoid Quick Fixes: Steer clear of frauds promoting quick fixes or extreme diets, as they can
cause more harm than good.
Real-Life Example: Anna Westin act
Many real-life stories demonstrate the link between toxic gym culture and eating disorders. Anna
Westin’s battle with anorexia shows the harmful effects of a toxic gym culture. Her struggle
began when she started going to the gym and received comments about her weight from a
personal trainer, which resulted in an eating disorder. Her condition deteriorated, leading to her
tragic death in 2000 at the age of 21. Anna’s story inspired the creation of the Anna Westin Act,
part of the 21st Century Cures Act, which aims to improve access to care for eating disorders and
promote early intervention.
Help for Eating Disorders
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, many resources are available, including the National.
Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), NCFED
Local support groups, https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
Counsellorwhocares counselling service online and counselling in Canterbury for walk-talk therapy https://counsellorwhocares.selectandbook.com
If you need urgent help or medical advice, contact emergency services 111 or the Samaritans on 116 123 if
anyone is in immediate danger.
