FROM WINTER ARC TO SUMMER GLOW UP CHALLENGE: WHY CAN’T WOMEN JUST EXERCISE FOR FUN ANYMORE?

With ‘skinnytok’ resurfacing as a problematic trend after a deceivingly short-lived movement of embracing women’s bodies online, it’s been interesting to observe the idea of ‘locking in’ to fitness trends. Put more specifically, these trends embedded a motive and encouragement to chase a clothing size, rather than the arguably more important gain of physical and mental health improvement.

Female bodies have been criticised and obsessed over for as long as many can remember. From tabloids publicly bashing celebs, heartless Instagram comments, to casually scripted body-shaming in chick-flick films, there is no doubt that it’s hard to simply exist in your body as a woman of any age. There is also nothing new about exercise being framed as the magic ‘cure’ for achieving the idealised body shape, though social media has only exacerbated this pressure to be perfect.

Chloe Ting’s clutch on society in the COVID-19 pandemic immediately comes to mind, with their ‘shred’ or ‘booty’ YouTube challenges centred around unfeasible results, rather than the endorphin hits or mental health benefits you could gain with dedicated practice. Whilst these challenges were certainly beneficial in encouraging movement in a time where the global population was, for the most part, house-bound, buzzwords like ‘round’, ‘snatched’, and ‘hourglass’ seamlessly made their way onto platforms like TikTok and Instagram. With jaw-dropping physical results constantly being promoted by women around the world, this body type began to seem easily achievable, reframing exercise exclusively as a means to flawlessly alter your shape and proportions regardless of any other potential benefits. It’s easy to imagine how many women felt disheartened when they stuck to the challenge and did not see the results they were promised, myself included, despite being only sixteen, aka, a child. Even if they had become healthier and stronger in the process, the success of the challenge relied solely on the photographic and Instagrammable potential of the results. Not looking like Chloe Ting after bicycle crunching and planking every day for 2 weeks? It felt like the ultimate betrayal.

In all seriousness, the irony of the ‘perfect body’ for women is that it doesn’t actually exist. Conceptually, of course it does, but what it looks like not only varies woman-to-woman depending on personal goals, but is also ruled by the ever-changing societal trends in culture or fashion. Let’s consider Ancient Greek standards, for example: snatched waists weren’t all the rage! Instead, women aspired to have soft curves, wide hips and belly fat. Over the centuries, these ideals underwent shifts repeatedly. By the time the ’90s came around, the controversial ‘heroin chic’ took over; the goal was to look as skinny and streamlined as possible, even if it looked unhealthy. In the 2010s, the standards changed dramatically. With the rise of the Kardashian empire and plastic surgery, everyone seemed to admire the exaggerated and purposefully superficial look, often achieved through BBLs and breast augmentations. Essentially, the idea of trying to chase the perfect female body is the same as running on a hedonic treadmill; as much as you think it will make you happy, you’ll ultimately never reach it before change comes about once more. 

Fast forward to now, and I can’t help but be overwhelmed with ‘winter arc’ videos that prompt users to ‘lock in’ this season and grind to finally get their ‘dream’ body. On the surface, it seems inspiring, particularly in the UK. Our winter season is not exactly built for exercise; it’s cold, it’s dark, and most of us just want to be cosily engulfed in blankets with a warm cup of hot chocolate. I’m certainly not criticising the premise of the ‘winter arc’, but again, it’s rooted in the short-term obsession for results, rather than long-term health. The idea of ‘locking in’ is to have a definable end goal, so what happens when you reach it? To me, this ‘arc’ is just a rebranded ‘summer glow up’; the fundamental flaw in these trends is that they’re just that: trends. They are temporary, and they thrive from the quick buzz we feel when we engage with them, but they’re ultimately destined to fade. After all, if trends were actually sustainable, they wouldn’t take on that name.

So, if you are looking to take on fitness trends like these, take a moment to consider why. Is it pressure, or genuine inspiration? Whilst having a goal can be an undeniably good source of motivation, particularly right now in the winter blues, critically question the language you’re using when defining your own goals. Is it to look like an hourglass? To have a flat stomach? Be skinnier? Maybe a thigh gap?

Or instead, can they be reframed?

Do you want to look and feel healthy? Perhaps become stronger? Have a mental outlet? Maybe even protect yourself against chronic disease? Or maybe, it’s an honest mix of everything and more, and that’s okay too. Ultimately, it’s important just to take a step out of the trend bubble every once in a while; it’s easy to become addicted to chasing results, but don’t neglect the joy of doing. 

Remember that you don’t always even need a goal; sometimes, it’s just nice to have fun.

Editor: Samara Adhyaru

• fitness
• glow up
• health
• women's fitness
• work out