Lying in the fitness industry is something that disgusts me. In today's Saturday Sharing I am going to do a rant on lying to make money because I have very strong feelings about the topic.
In my experience there are a number of ways people in the fitness industry are lying to make money. I am going to approach 3 of those ways and give you my opinion on them.
Lying About Steroid Use to Make Money
We have all seen the amazing physique transformations that blow the mind. We wonder how it was done. We know how hard it is to lose just 1% body fat yet there are people boasting 20% or more in just 12 weeks. While I am sure there are some who have actually managed to do that (in a not-so-healthy manner), they are the exception rather than the rule. There is also the person who goes from lean and small to lean and huge in a short period of time. Without a doubt you see these people selling their workout plan and nutrition plan for $49.95 each to unsuspecting, desperate people.
People, if you are using steroids, if you've made that conscious decision, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that in my opinion. I understand the stigma that is attached to it. I get it. However, using steroids to get massive and then selling a workout plan that is allegedly “all you need” to get there is reprehensible. Just tell everyone what you're up to. Let them know that your workout plan is good, but that you had some help. Not doing so is stealing.
Lying About Before and After Photos
Yes, there are those in the industry who lie about their before and after photos. They are in great shape and take a photo. They then purposely gain some fat and look out of shape. They take another photo. They then mislabel those photos. The one where they were in great shape (their true “before” picture) is labelled “after” and the one where they are out of shape (their true “after” picture) is labelled “before”. Trust me when I say that anyone in great shape is going to get noticed in the industry. People who are out of shape will see your pictures and want to be you. There is no need to lie about your progress pictures and go to all that work.
Lying About Supplements Helping
Another really big one (and at times it is coupled with the steroid use listed above) is coming out and stating that a certain product is why you gained so much lean body mass. People then rush to buy that supplement and fail to have any such transformation. It is simply done for the money, plain and simple.
Conclusion
It is time to call people out for these practices. I implore you to call them out when you discover any of these practices.
