The rise of social media exercise trends has sparked concern, particularly among young Kiwi women, who are being discouraged from healthy exercise. The latest buzzwords, 'runner's waist' and 'cortisol face', have been identified by ExerciseNZ as harmful trends that leverage fears of appearing bulky to push young women away from the gym. These trends, which have no scientific evidence to support them, claim that regular exercise creates undesirable physical changes. However, these claims are misleading and potentially dangerous, according to experts. The 'runner's waist' myth suggests that running will make your waistline wider due to the development of oblique muscles. Yet, research from Healthline reveals that running primarily enhances endurance, cardiovascular health, and core stability, not muscle size. Similarly, the 'cortisol face' trend, which attributes facial puffiness to elevated stress hormones, is not a recognized medical condition. Medical experts from the Ohio State Wexner Medical Centre clarify that while rare disorders can cause high cortisol levels affecting facial appearance, everyday exercise and normal life stress do not lead to the dramatic changes portrayed on social media. Richard Beddie, CEO of ExerciseNZ, emphasizes the irony of these trends, as they contradict the positive health benefits of exercise, running, and strength training. He highlights the shift in focus from celebrating what the body can do to worrying about fitting the latest social media trend, which is a step backward. Beddie urges young women to be cautious when seeking health advice from social media, emphasizing that exercise should be about improving health, building confidence, and feeling strong, not chasing viral ideals. He concludes by reminding everyone that their body is not a trend, and they should prioritize their well-being over fleeting social media fads.
