Although body cult never goes out of fashion, the idealization of one’s own image has become a global phenomenon in recent years, mainly due to the abuse of social networks such as Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. This obsession with aesthetics has had a particularly profound impact on the so-called Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) and subsequent generations who have succumbed to the power of aesthetics. influencers and filter culture.
The strength of this trend is such that the number of cosmetic surgeries in Spain has increased by more than 200% in less than 10 years.
Fitness is a trend
Fortunately, this trend has also forced many young people to take care of their image using more natural “filters”: sign up for training at a leading sports center. Actually, millennials And centenary anniversary are mainly responsible for the fact that over the past 4 years the industry fitness grew by 20%, placing it at the top of the world’s wealth spending pedestal.
Inside fitnessAccording to the American College of Sports Medicine, strength training was the second most popular practice in 2023. In particular, among the 2025 trends, traditional strength training using so-called Olympic lifts such as squats or cleans stands out, ranking among the top five fashions expected by this prestigious organization.
Myths about strength training
We’ve all heard at some point that strength training at a sensitive age is dangerous for bone and muscle development, and even that those who strength train at an early age may have growth problems.
However, the reality is that the benefits of strength training far outweigh the risks. In fact, the benefits of strength training have been widely documented for all populations, including children and adolescents. Among other things, it promotes motor development, improves body composition (less fat and more muscle mass), helps prevent injury, and reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases in adulthood.
Academic performance and depression
The motivation for young people to go to the gym may be questionable, but the benefits associated with strength training are scientifically undeniable. Recent research suggests that greater physical fitness is associated with better academic performance and that strength training in adolescents may reduce symptoms of depression.
Part of the prevention of strength training at an early age is due to the association established with competitive sports such as bodybuilding or powerlifting
. That is, we have a false belief that working out in the gym consists solely of lifting weights and pushing yourself to the limit.To make an analogy, it would be the same as thinking that going for a run necessarily means a marathon, or that riding a bike means simulating a stage of the Tour de France. Is it more dangerous to lift a barbell weighing 10 kg than to drag a partner weighing 40 kg or more? The first makes us anxious, and we normalize the second, despite the fact that we have much less control over the load and technique.
When it comes to strength, as with many aspects of life, the emphasis should not be on what is being done, but on how it is being done. Strength training for juveniles should not be about replicating adult training, but rather about adapting to the developmental stage they are at.
Correct daily routine
The World Health Organization recommends that people under 18 years of age do at least 3 days a week of strength and musculoskeletal exercises (including high-impact exercises such as jumping and landing) with a minimum of 1 hour of physical activity per day.
These strength and power movements in childhood and adolescence have traditionally been framed within poorly structured play (although these are very beneficial for motor development). However, with digital addiction at an all-time high, it may be time to actively promote strength training among our youth.
In this sense, current recommendations for strength training for minors emphasize the importance of prioritizing the technical quality of exercises and very slow progress in loads, taking breaks and monitoring for signs of fatigue.
Given the lack of daily routines suitable for all ages, the best advice is to avoid the miracle recipes that are flooding social media and turn to qualified professionals. Athletic trainers are the ones who can help us personalize our training program and guide us through technical training, teaching us that making strength work a routine is the true secret to success.