Why Do People Care About Your Fitness Choices?

As a fitness instructor, I’ve noticed how much people can get invested in what you’re doing with your workouts. Whether you’re in love with POUND, focusing on strength training, or mixing in some yoga, people sometimes feel the need to chime in with their two cents. It's interesting how personal these conversations can get, almost as if your choice is somehow a reflection on theirs.

Here’s what I’ve come to realize: when people see you making different fitness choices, they sometimes interpret it as a critique of what they’re doing—even though that's not what’s happening at all. It’s like, “Wait, you don’t use pre-workout?!” Suddenly, they feel the need to defend why they can’t get through a workout without it. But the thing is, you’re not judging them at all. You’re just doing what works best for you.

We All Have Different Fitness Journeys

What people forget is that fitness isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. Everyone’s body responds differently, and what works for you might not work for someone else. I love leading my POUND and STRONG Nation classes because they’re energetic, empowering, and full of variety. But that doesn’t mean I’m saying everyone should ditch their usual routine to join me (although it’s super fun!). It’s just my way of staying active and feeling great.

It’s a bit like how some people look at marriage or kids—what feels like a huge commitment to one person might feel totally manageable to someone else. You’re not saying, “This is the only way to live,” you’re just choosing what makes sense for you. And honestly, the same goes for your workouts.

Changing Trends, Changing Mindsets

What’s seen as “right” or “best” in fitness changes all the time. At one point, everyone was doing cardio, thinking it was the only way to lose weight and stay fit. Now, we know strength training is equally important. Here are a few more fitness trends that have changed over time:

1. Cardio Over Strength Training: Years ago, people believed if you weren’t sweating buckets on the treadmill, you weren’t getting a good workout. Now, we know that lifting weights builds muscle, boosts metabolism, and helps with long-term fitness. Read more on the benefits of strength training.

2. Low-Fat Diets: Remember when everything was low-fat, and we thought that was the way to stay healthy? Turns out, healthy fats are actually important! Avocados, anyone? The myth of low-fat diets explained.

3. No Pain, No Gain: There was a time when if you weren’t sore the next day, people thought you didn’t work hard enough. But now, we understand that pushing your body too hard isn’t always the best approach, and rest days are crucial. Here’s why recovery matters.

Your Choice Isn’t a Critique of Theirs

So, why do people care so much about what you’re doing with your fitness routine? I think it comes down to validation. When someone sees you making different choices, it can make them feel like their own decisions are being questioned, even though they’re not. Your choice isn’t a referendum on what anyone else is doing—it’s just what works for you.

It’s not that you’re saying, “You’re wrong for using pre-workout,” just like they’re not saying you’re wrong for skipping it. We’re all on different paths, with different goals, and that’s totally fine.

Do What Works for You

At the end of the day, your fitness journey is personal. Whether you’re hitting the gym for some heavy lifting, joining a high-energy group class, or finding your flow in yoga, what matters is that it makes you feel good and strong. You’re not asking anyone to change their routine, just like you’re not expecting anyone to skip pre-workout just because you do (though, really, you might be saving a bit on supplements 😉).

So, the next time someone seems overly interested in why you’re choosing your workout routine, just remember: they’re likely just looking for validation. And that’s okay! But your choice isn’t a critique of theirs, and their choice doesn’t need to define yours. We all have our own journey, and as long as it works for you, that’s all that matters.

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Sources:

• Benefits of Strength Training:

  • Mayo Clinic - Strength Training: Why It Matters

• The Low-Fat Diet Myth:

  • Harvard Health Publishing - The Low-Fat Diet Myth

• Why Recovery Days Matter:

  • Verywell Fit - Importance of Recovery Days