The “75 Hard” workout trend is widely considered bad for you because it promotes an extremely strict and demanding regimen with no rest days, often leading to overtraining, potential injuries, disordered eating behaviors, and a negative impact on mental health due to its all-or-nothing approach, especially for individuals not accustomed to high-intensity exercise. While many have created versions that are suitable for more people, I personally don’t believe a “one-size-fits-all” approach to fitness sets people up for long-term success and health. Let me be specific on this - I am not against these medications as I think there are cases for it to help people improve their health and manage serious medical conditions. I am also someone who uses a form of hormone therapy. However, as the popularity of these types of drugs increased, the opportunity for profits also grew. I know for too many people, using it off-label with no lifestyle changes, and in my opinion, the risks that come with it, just don’t justify the widespread use of it. When healthy young men who are using high doses of hormones to chase gains at the gym end up having thick blood and other side effects, I again question the validity of this path. My use of hormones are monitored by two doctors and my hormone-trained pharmacist in order to keep the risk low and benefits high. I recommend discussing with your health care provider and doing research to understand all aspects of making these choices. As someone who once promoted way too much of your time being in the gym, let me again be specific on what I mean when I hope this is a dying trend. I celebrate the fitness path, pictures, posts, and goals that make up people’s lives - but I find myself questioning the costs of a life that is built entirely in the gym. Are you sleeping enough? What is your mobility and range of motion? I’ve paid a heavy price for overtraining, so I now teach more about “balance” than “grind”. And while I’m on this topic - I also hope people who video themselves in the gym stay aware of the people around you who may or may not want to be a part of your post. I will even hold the camera for you! While group fitness is one of my favorite ways to train, I am leery of the “one-size-fits-all” approach to training, where movements aren’t tailored to a person’s age/ability, and then add no oversight by a trainer or coach to keep someone safe, which can often lead to injuries. I am a firm believer that anyone can do (almost) any exercise, but factors like age, injuries or nagging pain, and range of motion will affect how I have the client perform the exercise. A person might be strong enough to bicep curl #20 dumbbells, but a person with internally rotated shoulders will have a high probability of elbow pain/tendon inflammation if they continue. Watches, apps, rings - while the technology trend didn’t begin in 2024, it definitely grew. Market research shows the tech industry grew to $157 billion this year. Do I think it is necessary to get (and stay) in shape? Absolutely not. But I have seen far too many people use these devices for accountability, motivation, and consistency. I recommend not over-fixating on the data, but trying to keep chipping away to see small improvements. 30 JANUARY 2025 | INTHEVUE.COM
