The Four Tiers of YouTube Fitness Content

From Sh*t to Superb

YouTube fitness content is extremely varied — the tagline for this article isn’t an exaggeration at all. You can find fake gurus who over promise, cite made-up studies, have zero actual experience, prescribe downright dangerous exercises and gain followers through dramatic clout-chasing self-aggrandizing antagonistic and inflammatory videos built to merely get clicks.

You can also find some of the best sources of free fitness information on the web. People who teach you how to logically set up a training plan or inspire you to push harder towards your own goals. They’ll give you the principles of dieting, the structure of a weekly progression, the concepts that will allow you to have the tools to coach yourself effectively and efficiently.

Shit Tier

This type of content, while extremely clickable, often provides little benefit beyond a nice dopamine release or entertainment. It might be a response video, or a call-out, or some other form of drama. We just love watching a good argument, don’t we?

It’s in our blood — we’re still pretty damn tribal underneath this civilized facade.

“Day in the life” vlog style of content also falls into this category. Are you really learning all that much from watching your favorite creator go shopping, then drive around, then go to the gym, then go home? I mean, really? It might be entertaining, but be honest about how much you are actually…