Fitness Trends People Regret Falling for

With diabetes and obesity rates higher than ever, fitness has to become a priority for every American. But most “fitness trends” are based on half-truths or pseudoscience that can actually harm you. Here are a few fitness trends that people regret falling for:
 

In the early 2010s, waist trainers were THE fitness gadget you needed to lose fat and shape up over time. However, as more and more people used them, we realised that not only do they underdeliver on their promises, but they also can cause difficulty breathing and internal organ damage.
 

It seems pretty obvious that going days without any solid food, only drinking soups and smoothies, can be unhealthy. While juice cleanses claim to detox your body, all they really do is lose some water weight and slow down your metabolism. The moment you start eating normally, you’re bound to gain all that weight back. 
 

Cutting out carbs can help you lose weight rapidly in the beginning, but over time, such diets become harder and harder to sustain. They make you feel lethargic, irritable, and hurt your digestive system. Eating a balanced meal, depending on your nutritional needs, is a much healthier way to lose weight. 
 

If you’ve lived in the 2000s, you have heard about Shape-Ups. These shoes claim to tone your legs just by walking in them. Those who’ve used them will know that these claims are simply not true. Add to that the fact that they have caused ankle injuries, and you get a hazardous fitness gimmick. 
 

We have all seen various influencers promote “Tummy Tea” across their social media. These “detox” teas often contain laxatives that help you lose weight by literally emptying your stomach. If taken for a long time, this can be injurious to your health. 
 

Whether it's ‘75 Hard’ or ‘30 Day Abs’, all of these fitness “challenges” are not designed keeping your individual needs in mind. What works for one person could be ineffective or even dangerous for another. While working out, it’s best to make your body and its needs the priority rather than any challenge. 
 

Standing on a vibrating plate and losing weight without having to train sounds too good to be true—and that’s because it is. These gadgets were a mainstay in many gyms at one point, claiming to be an easy way to lose weight, but anyone who has stepped on one of these knows that the results are almost negligible. 
 

Taking supplements to enhance or support your diet is completely normal, but in today’s day and age, the supplement market is flooded with fake, gimmicky, unregulated products. If you need to take supplements, only buy brands that you trust, and make sure you’re consulting with a licensed healthcare professional. 
 

If you’ve ever gone to a HIIT or Soul Cycle class, you know what this is about. These group workouts can be effective when done correctly, but for a lot of people, they can be too intense or difficult. The problem is really in the “push yourself” mentality that these classes promote, which often causes people to over-exert themselves even when they can’t, leading to burnout and injuries.