Why Everyone’s Giving You Terrible Fitness Advice

And What You Can Do About It

One day you’re told carbs are evil. The next, someone swears by pasta before every workout. Scroll through TikTok, and suddenly your 10,000-step goal isn’t enough unless you’re doing “Zone 2 cardio”.

No wonder most people feel stuck. With so much noise, you don’t know what (or who) to trust.

Why There’s So Much Conflicting Advice

First of all, let’s calm a few nerves: it’s not something you’re doing wrong. The fitness space (especially digital) is built for confusion. Here’s why:

1. Bodies aren’t copy-paste.
   What worked for that guy on YouTube might fail spectacularly for you. Genetics, lifestyle, stress levels, sleep quality… they all matter. But blanket advice rarely accounts for any of that.

2. Social media rewards virality, not accuracy.
   Influencers need clicks, and too much context takes away from the punch. The more extreme or “shocking” the claim, the better it performs. That’s why you’ll see “Do THIS one exercise to burn belly fat!” even though… well, science disagrees.

3. Trends beat timeless fundamentals.
   Trends come and go: keto, intermittent fasting, celery juice, cold plunges, etc. But hydration, balanced nutrition, movement, and recovery… they’ve been working for decades. But unfortunately, “boring” doesn’t sell.

The Cost of Following Bad Advice

The wrong guidance doesn’t just waste your time. It drains your energy and confidence.

• You hop from one routine to the next too soon, so you don’t see results.

• You push too hard, too fast, and end up injured or burned out.

• You start doubting yourself, wondering if you’re just “not disciplined enough”.

That constant start-stop cycle kills progress before it even starts.

What to Do Instead

Here’s the good news: fitness doesn’t have to be complicated. To cut through the noise:

1. Focus on principles, not hacks.
   Hydration, nutrition, exercise, recovery: nail these first. No trend can replace the basics.

2. Test, track, tweak.
   Your body’s feedback beats anyone’s 30-second reel. Log what you eat, how you move, and how you feel. Look for patterns, not perfection.

3. Prioritise consistency over chaos.
   Small, repeatable actions beat random bursts of motivation. Progress compounds when you stick to the plan, not when you constantly switch it.

Final Take

The best advice isn’t the loudest. It’s the one that helps you build a system you can sustain. Block out the noise. Build your blueprint.

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Join The Conversation

We know the internet is overflowing with “expert tips” and quick fixes, and everyone seems to have the ultimate answer. But we also know how confusing, frustrating, and contradictory it can get. We’d love to hear your side: what fitness advice have you come across that left you more stuck than helped?

Share your thoughts in our WhatsApp and X spaces. Your experiences could shape what we break down next.