Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Youtube have created an environment for users to upload content. This content can contain information on workouts and gym etiquette and motivate people to join a gym. 

Popular content creators like Chris Bumstead, David Laid, and Noel Deyzel have become idols to young viewers through their videos. They motivate young viewers to become more “aesthetic” or muscularly defined. Another example of creators influencing gym culture is Lexx Little coining the popular term, “WE GO JIM” with gym sounding similar to ”JIM.” 

The gym culture has increased so much that these content creators are becoming more prevalent, leading to sponsorships for promotional items. Companies like Gymshark, Grimreaper, and GNC give content creators supplements, lifting equipment, and clothing to promote their company. This shows the potential of creating gym content and becoming a career path option for those passionate about working out.

Gym influencers create content on new exercises, having good form, and the science of protein synthesis and muscle growth. A good example of this could be JPG Coaching; he posts videos on optimal exercises and different movements. So these social media platforms are an excellent way to share new exercises to inform the “gym rats” who are serious about bodybuilding. 

These content creators have influenced many people to become a better version of themselves by building muscle and gaining confidence through the gym. Going to the gym can give us lots of self-confidence in body image whether or not our background is from being overweight or too skinny. Either way, the gym is not only a place to build muscle and do cardio but it is considered a place of therapy, too. Many people who are depressed have gone to the gym to better themselves. This is an example of the positivity behind gym culture that often goes unseen by the regular public.

There are many misunderstandings about gym culture. One of those includes the false impression that people who go to the gym have a lower IQ. In many cases, this is not true because the people who engage in physical activity have higher use of brain functions and activity, increasing intelligence scores or IQ (PubMed). Another common misconception is that men are the only ones who lift weights, but in recent years many women have started to lift heavy weights. In my personal experience, I have been seeing more women in the gym lifting heavy weights, some even more than men. But the previous thought of lifting weights was due to the fact that women did not want to look “bulky.” 

Gym culture has evolved throughout social media by growing in popularity. Many content creators have used social media platforms to gain followers and influence people to go to the gym. Many utilize social media to spread information on the benefits and techniques of how to work out. The definition of gym culture has changed from the stereotypical brawns of brains type of ideology to a more logical approach. In today’s society, more and more people are incorporating exercise into their daily routines, with more equipment becoming more accessible to the public.