Why Online Fitness Advice Can Seem so Contradictory
Learning the basics of exercise can be a daunting task. One YouTube channel tells you what to do, and you think, “Okay, I get it.” Then you see a post on Instagram that says something completely different. You go to the gym and ask the trainer, and they’ll tell you that both sources are overcomplicating things and that you should do it their way instead. Why is it so complicated? I have some thoughts on the matter and some tips for sorting through the confusion.
One of the main reasons is that there are multiple correct answers to every fitness question you have. So, you don’t need to search for the one right answer before starting a workout, just as you don’t need to determine the definitive best restaurant in town before going out to dinner. Let’s explore some of the confusion you’re likely facing and what to do in each case.
Not all fitness tips will work for you.
To begin, I’d like to address the main reason for conflicting advice on any topic: different experts are addressing different audiences. You, the reader or viewer, are not a member of all of these audiences.
For example, if you search online for “how to squat properly,” you’ll find a variety of answers. One expert might advise bodybuilders on how to maximize their leg muscle mass. Another might tell powerlifters how to get stronger and lift maximum weight in competition. And a third might introduce beginners to the idea of doing squats without weights. It’s only logical that they’d all say different things, right?
How to figure it out : Decide on the type of advice you’ll follow. For example, if you want to learn the basics of powerlifting, there are books, videos, and real-life coaches who can teach you. But if you’re a beginner, don’t look for advice from experienced athletes; it might not be useful yet. If you’re unsure which direction to take, it’s okay to study different sources and compare them. But don’t expect them all to agree.
The algorithm encourages pointless discussions.
The training fundamentals are quite simple, even though it may seem that way to beginners. You improve your running performance by spending time on your feet, not by trying to turn every training run into a competition. (See our beginner’s guide here .) You get stronger by gradually increasing the weight , though this doesn’t necessarily mean increasing the weight every week—it’s better to follow a program that guides you along a reasonable progression path. And if you’re completely new to all this , all you really need is to develop a routine and stick with it ; literally, all the details can wait.
But we like to learn more, and when we’re confused or anxious, we often think more information is the cure. So we head to YouTube (or any other information stream of our choosing) and see what’s out there. But that’s where the algorithm gets in our way: YouTubers won’t have a great career if they just release a few videos with basic information and then relax.
So we have in-depth discussions about topics like: Which running shoes might be slightly better than others? Should I do my morning workout before or after breakfast? Should I do dumbbell lateral raises with my hands in a neutral position or with my pinkies slightly raised? (You might think I’m joking with that last question, but for a brief viral moment, it was a highly contentious topic.)
Authors also get more engagement if they respond to other authors’ comments, spark rivalries, claim everyone else is wrong, argue with authors who hold opposing views, and so on. The algorithm encourages confusion because it makes people watch more videos . In reality, the direction you move your little fingers when raising your arms will have, at most, a 0.0000001% impact on how your shoulders will look in a year. Even if you could get a definitive answer about which way is better, it still wouldn’t matter.
How to deal with it : I once typed the word “optimal,” and my phone automatically corrected it to “optional.” Here’s a life lesson for you. Optimal is optional. If you’re doing everything well enough, optimizing the details won’t make much of a difference. When you’re an Olympic athlete, and tiny differences in your performance can decide whether you win a gold medal, you can revisit these questions. For now, just remember that there are many paths to fitness, and you can choose the one that seems easiest or most enjoyable to you.
Most fitness advice is designed to push you into action.
Let’s step away from social media algorithms for a moment and talk about the perfectly reasonable things you might hear from a trainer. When a trainer is trying to guide your movements, they’ll give you cues . These aren’t objective descriptions of what exactly is happening during a lift, but rather hints in a certain direction. For example, if your heels are leaving the ground during a squat, they might tell you, “Push through your heels.”
It can be confusing if you hear another trainer say, “Keep even pressure on all parts of the foot.” This might be best advice for someone who rocks back on their heels, but it might also work for someone who rocks on their toes. In reality, both trainers are trying to achieve the same thing: prevent excessive forward or backward rocking. Since advice is just a nudge, it’s not right or wrong; it can simply be helpful or unhelpful. Advice that works for one person may not work for another.
How to figure it out : If you’re receiving advice in person, ask for clarification. Otherwise, try both conflicting signals and see which one helps you feel stronger or perform the movement better. You can also check out our explanations of the signals that most often confuse people .