Scroll through social media feeds, and you will find countless people performing impressive workouts, from heavy squats to advanced Pilates movements, handstands to intense HIIT sessions and complicated mobility exercises. They look energetic, effortless and achievable. But there is one important question we often forget to ask: Is my body actually ready for this workout? In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Ashish Agrawal, director of physiotherapy at CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, explains what your body needs before you try it.
What you need to know before trying out social media workouts
The human body is remarkably adaptable, but it needs time to build strength, mobility, balance and endurance. Social media often shows the final performance , not the months or years of preparation behind it. Trying to copy it immediately can place unnecessary stress on muscles, joints, tendons and the spine. Another problem is that everyone’s body is different. Age, previous injuries, posture, flexibility, muscle strength, sleep, stress and even daily activity levels influence how much exercise a person can safely handle.
A workout that is appropriate for a trained athlete may be excessive for someone who is just starting, returning after a long break or recovering from an injury, according to Dr Ashish Agrawal. There is no universal “perfect workout.”
