Is Social Media Helping You or Selling You? The Truth About Fitness & Bodybuilding Online

by Budwi BouFrancis

Is Social Media Helping You or Selling You? The Truth About Fitness & Bodybuilding Online

Let’s face it - when you first start training, the gym can feel like the Wild West.

You’re surrounded by people doing wildly different workouts, you’re not sure what’s “optimal,” and worst of all, every YouTube video or Instagram reel seems to contradict the last one you watched. As someone who’s coached beginners, trained for years, and lived through the confusion, let me tell you this:

Most beginners are worrying about the wrong things.

And in this post, we’re going to break it all down.

Stop Chasing “Optimal” - Start Doing What Works

When you’re just starting out, you don't need the perfect 12-week hypertrophy plan.

What you really need? Consistency.

One of the biggest beginner gym mistakes is constantly hopping between programs because you saw some influencer say:

“This split is better for muscle growth.”

Look - for beginners, almost anything works if you just do it consistently. The difference between a 4-day bro split and full-body workouts three times a week?

Marginal... as long as you’re actually showing up and training hard.

You’ve heard the phrase: “Train smart.” But what does that actually mean?

A lot of beginners mistake “smart” for safe or comfortable. But smart training isn’t about avoiding effort - it’s about pushing yourself without ego.

Some of the most jacked people I know?
They don’t overthink the programming.
They pick a handful of exercises, get strong as hell on them, and show up year after year.

Don’t Get Distracted by Influencer Training

Here’s a hot take: most of what you see on social media isn’t even meant to help you.

It’s entertainment.
It’s marketing.
It’s content designed to look good in a 9:16 frame.

That IG influencer doing insane supersets or 12 variations of lateral raises? They’re not optimising for results - they’re optimising for views. And if you’re new to the gym, following their workouts could leave you spinning your wheels.

Track your lifts, get stronger, and make minor tweaks as needed.

That’s how muscle is built - not through weekly program hopping.

Building a Foundation vs. Optimising the Details

When you’re six months in and can’t do 10 solid push-ups, you don’t need the newest supplement or some ultra-scientific program.

What you need is:

  • A consistent training routine

  • Enough protein

  • Good sleep

  • Progressive overload

That’s it.

Later, as you get stronger, those 5-10% “optimal” details will matter. But right now? Don’t major in the minors.

Online Fitness Coaching: When Should You Get a Coach?

There’s a growing trend of beginners jumping into online coaching early - and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

If you’re someone who wants:

  • Accountability

  • A clear plan tailored to your body

  • Feedback on your form

  • A coach who actually cares about your progress...

…then yeah, investing in a coach (especially online) can save you months or years of frustration.

But make sure you’re not outsourcing your responsibility. Coaching only works if you’re willing to show up and do the work.

Final Thoughts: Train Like a Grown-Up

Here’s what nobody tells beginners:

“You don’t need to find the perfect plan. You need to start being consistent.”

That might sound harsh - but the people who succeed in this game are the ones who show up when it’s boring, when they’re not motivated, and when they don’t have the perfect gym fit or pre-workout routine dialed in.

Build discipline. Build strength. Build character.

Everything else?
It falls into place.

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