“Things I Don’t Do As a Gym Girl” : FitTok Demystifying Gym Girl Expectations

TikTok is the place to be if you want to be the first to hear trending fitness and dieting topics. Whilst FitTok has its negatives, we are finally getting some candid responses from some of the most respected fitness influencers on the app. The “what I don’t do as a gym girl” trend is refreshing and pleasant to see as a fellow gym girl myself. The macros tracking, strict workout splits and endless before and after images displayed across social media can, in some ways, leave us gym girls feeling disheartened. What if I don't have time to wake up at 5 am to do a yoga class and then a 2-hour workout? What if I don’t want to prepare meals for the whole week and eat a fresh meal as and when? 

After looking at the trending conversations, I know I can relate to nearly everything my fellow gym girls are admitting. Here are some of the things I don’t do as a gym girl, which I am sure thousands of other women can agree with. 

Train chest and back 

Chest and back, who? Don't get me wrong, there is nothing sexier than having a toned back, but with workouts such as RDLs, my back benefits from these compound workouts. Will you ever catch me on a bench press? Absolutely not. It can be terrifying enough getting stuck on the leg press, never mind having a heavy weight at risk of crushing my head. No ma'am! As someone who has been attending the gym for 5 years, reached my fitness goals and bettered my life because of it, I can still sleep peacefully all the while knowing I don’t train my chest and back. If I was training to be a bodybuilder, maybe I would consider an in-depth chest routine. But, for now, let me stick to my light dumbbell workouts when I am too tired to do anything else!

Bulking/ cutting 

Bulking and cutting seasons are ones we hear non-stop through social media. Constant images of calories counted, fat burnt, or pounds added. Honestly, I want nothing to do with a cutting or bulking season. Have I made a conscious effort to shed a few extra pounds before a holiday? Absolutely, but I have not made a season out of it. Personally, I invest time and energy into working out for sustainable health and fitness. The science behind bulking also makes sense in terms of muscle density, but it is not for me. Instead, I adjust my fitness goals as and when I feel necessary.

Take pre-workout

Pre-workout is consumerism at its finest. It is so normal to feel fatigued before workouts or need that extra boost, but why do I need to digest a formulated powder to give me the energy to work my hardest? The biggest gym influencers, of course, are making money off marketing these products and hailing them as the best thing since sliced bread, but that is the problem. People are too quick to trust these products, which, in reality, don't make a huge difference. So, I will stick to my pre-workout coffee and regulate my energy levels internally instead of relying on a product to keep me pushing.

Train on trips 

The moment I step on that plane, I can say goodbye to any form of restriction or intentional exercise. The true gym girlys know that fitness is a lifestyle which, with the right routine, can seamlessly fit into the day-to-day. Unless you are someone who jet-sets off on holidays every month, holidays are a break in this routine and a time to just be in the moment. Can I appreciate an aesthetic gym overlooking the sea? Most definitely, does that mean I am going to exercise instead of exploring this new country? Nope! I love training as much as the next gym girl, but I draw the line when it comes to sacrificing tanning and time to run a 2 miler to stick to my at-home training schedule. If you need me, you'll find me by the pool..

Weigh myself 

Last but certainly not least, I am through with weighing myself. Especially as women, our weight can fluctuate significantly with our hormonal cycles and at different stages of life. Trying to fit into the ‘average BMI’ (which by the way was invented around the time that cocaine was prescribed to patients as medicine?! Outdated much?) is impossible, and constantly checking weight can lead to a negative self-image. I am happy to stick to my progress pictures and take note of how my body looks. If I look at my body and can appreciate what a great job I have done, then that is enough for me. I do not need a scale to categorise my value into numbers. 

Buying Gymwear That’s Shapewear

Let’s talk gymwear, or more specifically, shapewear disguised as gymwear. You know the type: ultra-snatching, vacuum-sealed, contoured to within an inch of its life. While I love a cute, flattering set as much as the next gym girl, I draw the line at anything that feels like a corset with a squat-proof label slapped on top. Gymwear should support movement, not mimic body sculpting surgery. The idea that I need to compress my body to look “better” before I’ve even started training? It’s just another layer of unrealistic pressure placed on women under the guise of “performance wear.”

My gym sets are for sweating, stretching, running, lifting, not for sucking in. I want to breathe when I do Bulgarian split squats, not pass out halfway through because my leggings are fighting me back. Shapewear is for outfits when I choose to wear it, not for every Monday morning gym session where I already have to wrestle with my motivation and messy bun. Now I prioritise actual performance wear from brands like A-Game and more relaxed yoga wear from brands like Oner. Bye-bye, Gym Shark leggings that create a false perception of my body.

So, what are some things you do as a gym girl that you aren't afraid to admit?

_

Amy Jones is a freelance health and wellness writer from Manchester, UK. She loves researching and writing about health topics, as well as keeping up to date with the latest health news and eco-friendly brands. Her passion for health and wellness stems from her innate desire to educate people on how to properly take care of their bodies, spot any early signs of illness and take the best preventative methods. When not writing, you can find her taking long walks in the countryside with her dog, listening to groundbreaking podcasts or browsing her nearest bookstore.