Rise of the Gym Selfies
There she goes again. Another selfie with the same exact facial expression, pose and head tilt, just a different background this time. Nice, can’t wait for the next one.
Alexandra Boyer taking a quick selfie during her workout.
I have a confession to make. I’ve taken more than a few selfies in my day. I take them from different angles, in different lighting, of different body parts, in clothes, and yes, even out of them. I take some in the privacy of my own home, I take some in the women’s locker room, in the bathroom and occasionally, when I’m feeling really good, I’ll snap one out on the gym floor.
With social media exploding and increasingly on the rise, it seems as though we construct most of our experiences through images. We want to let people know where we are, what we’re doing and how we look while doing it.
Even though the occasional selfie is considered to be the norm these days, it can be quite a distraction to those around you. Like all things, it’s important to be mindful of your surroundings and considerate of others before whipping out your phone and taking a selfie, especially in public. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Be Considerate of Others
If it’s a busy day at the gym, perhaps standing in front of the abdominal machine snapping photos of yourself with your abs flexed and your shirt pulled up to your neck isn’t such a good idea. Using the gym equipment (when you’re not even working on it) for your own personal photo shoot is NOT okay.
Make Sure Your Selfie is Just That, a “Selfie”
This is especially important if you’re taking selfies in the gym locker rooms. Most of us view the locker room as a private space, and we definitely wouldn’t appreciate someone holding up a phone if we are changing, just coming out of the shower or walking out of a bathroom stall. If there’s someone else in the background of your selfie, be considerate and don’t take the picture.
Track Your Progress
The scale doesn’t always tell the whole story, but a picture certainly can. When you’re working hard, taking the occasional selfie can really help you see the difference in your physique. The bonus is you will be able to track the progress you are making without having to step on the scale.
Donna Lynch taking a selfie snapshot of her legs in the locker room after a three and a half mile run.
Say cheese and focus on the positive
Yes, gym selfies can be a distraction, especially if someone is repositioning their body, re- applying their lip gloss and fluffing their hair between each picture, but they can also be a great source of inspiration and motivation.
Let’s think about the potential power of selfies as a source of motivation and inspiration to change. I recently read the results to a weight loss study that took place in Columbia. All the study participants were required to take full-body pictures of their progress each week in addition to other standard measurements, such as waist to hip ratios and weight.
A whopping ninety percent of the two hundred and seventy one participants finished the study and more than seventy percent met their weight loss goals. The study concluded that participants were particularly motivated by changes to their waist circumferences, which were easily seen when comparing week-to-week photos.
What about the encouragement and support you receive when you post a selfie to social media? When you log into Facebook and see that a bunch of your friends have liked a gym selfie you’ve posted (you know with the #gymflow), how does it make you feel? Does it inspire you to throw on your fitness gear and head to the gym? Are you motivated to go harder while you’re there? Does it make you want to improve your diet?
The Meaning Behind it All
Aren’t we trying to send a visible message to inspire others? Aren’t we trying to let people know that if we can do it, so can they? Are we not attempting to convey perhaps that we are hard working? Don’t we view people who pursue health and fitness as being disciplined, motivated, organized, and as valued members of society?
SheKnows.com and Shape.com conducted a survey of one thousand three hundred and twenty nine people about social media’s effects on health, fitness and body image. Based on the survey’s results, readers reported that social media sites and online communities affect fitness and eating habits positively.
- 41.9 percent of users felt more motivated to make healthy eating choices.
- 39 percent were more motivated to work out.
- 15 percent felt guilty if they didn’t stick to their diet and fitness routine.
When asked how they felt when friends shared updates via social media about their fitness goals, fifty three percent felt inspired and motivated to be healthier, while twenty two percent felt envious. It was also noted that users felt more animosity toward celebrities’ diet and fitness updates than those of their friends.
88 year old Ray Holbrook has a message for us all.
In Conclusion
Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, we live in a digital world. There’s no solid foundation to call this phenomenon a narcissistic delight or a disease originated due to the crazy evolution of the media and internet sectors. Regardless, self-portraits are a means of interacting socially and affiliating with others around the world. They also play a huge role in the process of bettering ourselves and transforming our lives!
Selfies are a great form of self-expression, inspiration and motivation, but remember to love who you are and celebrate the beauty you see in the mirror! You are brilliant and special with or without the validation of Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Embrace your individual beauty and if you want to post a photo about it, by all means go for it. I may just be the first person to like it.
I have been a personal trainer for over seventeen years and I absolutely love what I do. I honestly feel that I have one of the best jobs out there! The most rewarding part of my profession is helping one of my clients succeed at reaching their personal fitness goals. Making a difference in someone’s life makes it all worthwhile. I am currently certified by the National Sports Conditioning Association, Apex Fitness Group, and the International Sports Science Association. If you have a question and/or topic you would like me to discuss please send me an e-mail at isellgraphs@aol.com.
