why you don't need a fucking thigh gap

Why You Don’t Need A Fucking “Thigh Gap”

by Russ Howe PTI

The thigh gap trend sums up everything which is wrong with social media.

thigh gap

Check out this gut-wrenching email:

Yep, it’s the thigh gap craze, which is currently sweeping across Instagram faster than a housemaid on two scoops of pre-workout.

This is where trendy orange people try to make you feel useless as a woman unless you have a space between the tops of your thighs.

(Seriously, how did we get here?!)

So sit back and relax, as I debunk the holy hell out of this motherfucking bullshit.

why you don't need a thigh gap

Your bone structure determines whether you have a thigh gap.

Every body is built slightly differently, so some of you are going to have the hip bone placement (something which I know a lot about, having had mine re-structured as a kid) which gives you a thigh gap, whereas others will not have it.

It’s entirely genetic, and this means that a thigh gap is not a trainable factor (kinda like guys beating themselves up for not being tall enough).

There are no exercises which can “get you” a thigh gap, so that explains why you weren’t seeing any results from the stuff given to you by that so-called personal trainer who should’ve fucking known better. (1)

Seriously, give them one of these from me:

Anyway, the fitness world can quickly descend into chaos when new trends arrive, so it’s easy to go online and find advice from liars “experts” who claim to have discovered the big secret.

In the case of the thigh gap, their suggestions range from using resistance bands instead of dumbbells (honestly, your muscles cannot tell the difference!), to following their special low carb diet (I wish I was joking!), to drinking their magical weight loss supplements which taste like they came out of a camel’s foof.

Don’t fall for any of it.

Instead, listen to what Yale School of Medicine had to say on this matter:

thigh gap

Social media can be a very toxic place.

I limit my time on it for that very reason.

A 2018 study found that people who spend lots of time on social media platforms have higher levels of anxiety, poor sleep, and depression – and I’m just talking about general social media usage here (e.g. staring at your phone too long), but when we go deeper into the topic there are even more serious issues. (2)

You see, when we take into consideration the body dysmorphia concerns which are caused by bullshit social media trends like “thigh gaps” and the conveyor belt of unrealistic beauty standards we see every day, it creates an environment for low self esteem, weight gain, and eating disorders. (3)

Fuck that.

russhowepti.com

Further Reading:

If you enjoyed this blog, then you’ll probably also like reading these.

>> “Mono Diets”, Really?
>> What The Fuck Are “Negative Calorie Foods”?
>> The Detox Industry Is A Dumpster Fire Of Misinformation

References:

  1. Katch F., et al. Effects of Sit Up Exercise Training On Adipose Cell Size and Adiposity. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (1984).
  2. Scott H., et al. Social media use and adolescent sleep patterns: cross-sectional findings from the UK millennium cohort study. BMJ Open (2019).
  3. Aparicio-Martines P., et al. Social Media, Thin-Ideal, Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating Attitudes: An Exploratory Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health (2019).

Comments

7 responses to “Why You Don’t Need A Fucking “Thigh Gap””

  1. Jane K avatar
    Jane K

    It’s really worrying, isn’t it Russ? My daughter is 17 and a couple of months ago she was having similar comments from her friends as the lady in your article because the ‘trend’ was Megan Fox (really thin), and now the trend is more thicker legs and she’s getting compliments. My girl went from feeling bad about her body to feeling good but she’s been the same the entire time, it’s just trends. Great article, keep shutting down the nonsense dude.

  2. Kenny avatar
    Kenny

    Not really something I’ve worried about, but I can completely relate to the ‘not tall enough’ thing! I used to worry so much about it but you’re right there’s nothing you can do it’s just what you are born with. Good advice russ hopefully any girls reading this feeling pressured about this kind of thing can feel better having found your write-up about it.

  3. Holly Jenkins avatar
    Holly Jenkins

    Yes! I seen this online earlier today, quickly followed by another trend where girls are supposed to sit down and have an overlap. Honestly how are you supposed to have a gap and an overlap????? The weird things which go viral on social media, I’m so glad I didn’t have this around when I was a teen myself.

  4. Brianna avatar
    Brianna

    Wow. I found your site because I was, like the girl in the post, looking for exercises to get me a thigh gap! I can’t thank you enough for this post.

  5. Hayley Dobbins avatar
    Hayley Dobbins

    We need more people like you in gyms! The pressure I see on young ‘uns these days is obscene. Thanks for telling the facts.

  6. Cassie avatar
    Cassie

    Hey russ. I’m 19 and experienced something similar to this last summer. I just want to say thank you. This helped me.

  7. […] all online, brah”), and the so-called “fitfluencers” who come up with body shaming trends, and the minor celebrities who nab sponsorship deals with supplement brands and then start handing […]

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