Workout culture is completely different than it used to be, and it’s a mix of good changes and not so great ones. Over the past few years, especially with social media apps like Tiktok and Instagram, fitness has become more popular than ever. At the same time, it has also become more about how you look rather than being healthy or strong.

Weight training class students made it clear that workout culture isn’t just about getting big and strong anymore, but it’s about maintaining realistic standards, staying healthy and staying consistent. One example is sophomore and weight training student Madeline Kongsuechart. She said that the class itself isn’t always serious, explaining that while teachers may follow a structured plan, others let students do whatever they want, leading to slack.

However, outside of school, her experience is completely different. Being a member at OneLife Fitness, she describes it as welcoming, helpful and encouraging. Saying that people are always willing to help you with an exercise or skill, creating a non-toxic environment. “It’s great to feel no judgment doing a workout or trying something new,” said Kongsuechart.

Furthermore, she said that diet trends have improved, with people focusing on nutrition rather than starving themselves or having unhealthy eating habits. “The diet side of workout culture used to be so focused on eating very little, but now people understand the importance of protein, fibers and all the essential nutrients,” Kongsuechart said.

Another weight training student, sophomore Brandon Nolasco, has a different perspective. While Nolasco agreed that school weight training doesn’t help him, he takes working out more seriously out of school.

Also a OneLife Fitness member and participating in football workouts daily, Nolasco spends a ton of time at the gym, describing his experience as both loud and quiet. “The gym environment is both loud and quiet at the same time, where most people keep to themselves and focus on their workouts,” he said.

Subsequently, Nolasco mentioned how workout culture has changed over time, not just recently but going back decades. He said that older workouts were more “old school,”,while today people understand and focus on “science-based living.” Specifically this includes tracking workouts, focusing on specific muscle groups, and doing exercises like explosive training and plyometrics.

This goes to show that fitness today is not just about lifting weights, but about actually understanding how the body works.

When it comes to authenticity, Nolasco doesn’t think people are “fake,” but rather use performance enhancing drugs as short cuts. This adds another layer to workout culture, where not everything you see is completely natural, even though it might be presented that way online. This leads to how social media can create unrealistic expectations.

Similarly, weight training student sophomore Anusha Das presented a more balanced view. Das said that weight training at school is actually helpful for her goals of becoming stronger and improving her stamina. Outside of school, she is a member at LA Fitness, where she enjoys having access to a wide variety of equipment.

However, Das points out that the environment can feel intimidating. “Sometimes it can feel overwhelming and almost scary to workout to my fullest when it’s crowded,” Das said.

Consequently, Das sees modern workout culture as “performative” online. Meaning that instead of working out just for health, people do it for the content, likes or attention. Creating this pressure, especially for younger participants trying to look a certain way or follow a certain trend that is unrealistic.

While students are in agreement that diet plays a significant role in fitness, they have different perspectives on modern workout culture. Whether it’s through tracking your food intake, being aware of unrealistic standards online or making less dangerous diet options, workout culture has changed for the better.

All in all, workout culture has evolved into something that can be both motivating and misleading at the same time. By maintaining a positive approach, focusing on personal health, consistency and realistic goals, it can be the thing that betters your life in every way. As Kongsuechart said, “Working out isn’t about looking the best, but rather it’s about feeling the best mentally and physically.”