Kayla Itsines, renowned co-creator of the fitness app SWEAT, has voiced her concerns about the increasing sexualization within the fitness industry on social media.
She criticized influencers who focus their content on provocative poses under the pretense of showcasing “glute workouts” to garner views.
As a mother of two, Itsines expressed her discomfort about this trend, which she doesn’t want her children exposed to. She shared her intention to be a role model promoting a lifestyle excluding drinking, drugs, and sexualized content. Despite acknowledging the popularity of “booty workouts,” she stressed her preference not to see such content.
In a recent video, Itsines remarked, “I’m unfollowing you because I don’t want to see that, I don’t wanna see your ass, but you do you.” She worries about the impact on her young daughter, emphasizing, “It’s just not something I want to see.”
The 33-year-old questioned if she was simply old-fashioned in her approach but reaffirmed to her nearly 16 million followers that she wouldn’t engage in creating overtly sexualized workout videos.
Her comments struck a chord, drawing mixed reactions from her followers. Many agreed, noting the fitness content has become excessively sexualized and comparable to “porn.” Others defended the display of physiques in fitness, arguing that showcasing developed muscles should not inherently be deemed sexual. Some pointed out that even Itsines posts workouts in body-hugging clothes, suggesting that the issue might lie in perception rather than content.
Parents among her followers echoed her concerns about the shift from focuses on strength and health to sexualized representations. One parent stated, “I worry for my daughters,” while others expressed gratitude for Itsines addressing the topic.