Get abs fast. Be your best self. Burn fat and build a bigger booty. These are some of the enticing promises of popular viral workouts — but if you want to make gains that will last, you're better off sticking to a simple, sustainable workout, according to personal trainers.
In 2022 fitness fads caught on at a fast and furious pace on apps like TikTok, but many of them recycle old ideas that have long been debunked by professional coaches, trainers, and exercise scientists. The most popular rely on extreme recommendations (often with eye-popping "before and after" pictures), but may leave you sore, burned out, and even injured, not stronger. Instead of wasting your time with long hours of cardio, endless HIIT, or strict rules, some of the best gains can be made by making small, smart changes to your routine over time, trainers told Insider.
Here are some of the fads to steer clear of if you want to make lasting changes to your health and fitness in 2023, and what to do instead.