Why Not All Workouts Are For Everyone

An Open Letter from Lissa, Co-owner of Peak Physique

If you’ve ever scrolled social media and thought, “I should be doing that workout too,” I get it, I’ve been there myself.

But I’ll be honest with you: this is exactly why I couldn’t do online training the way so many so-called “trainers” do it these days.

You see, it’s easy to slap together a one-size-fits-all program. It’s even easier to film flashy, complex moves that look impressive on Instagram reels or TikToks. But your body? It doesn’t care how many views a move gets. It cares about whether you’re moving safely, building strength progressively, and actually setting yourself up for long-term success, not burnout or injury.

This is something I wish more people knew.

The Real Problem with Social Media Workouts

The biggest issue I see is that beginners don’t know what they don’t know. And how could they? You’re new to strength training, so naturally, you turn to a free resource, maybe a YouTube channel or an Instagram influencer with perfect abs.

You find a new “total body burner” workout every day, but there’s no plan behind it. No explanation for why you’re doing that movement, or whether it’s even right for you. You do burpees on Monday, one-legged jump squats on Wednesday, and by Friday, you can’t walk, not because you’re getting stronger, but because your joints are screaming for mercy.

Here’s the truth: many of those viral workouts are made for content, not for your actual progress. They cater to what looks good on camera, not what’s smart, safe, or effective for a beginner or even an intermediate exerciser.

What Beginners Should Really Be Doing

If you’re new to strength training, I promise you: the basics are not boring, they’re powerful. A good program starts with simple, single-muscle-group exercises. Why? Because you need to build a strong foundation, one brick at a time.

Think about a classic squat. Everyone knows what it looks like, but not everyone understands what’s really happening in your body when you squat.

A squat isn’t just a “leg” exercise. It recruits multiple muscle groups: your quads, glutes, hamstrings, calves, your entire core, and your lower back. If any one of those muscles isn’t ready to do its job, or if you’re not bracing your core properly, the load gets dumped into your knees or lower back instead. That’s why so many people feel pain after doing “simple” moves; it’s not the squat’s fault, it’s the lack of proper preparation and form.

This is why a cookie-cutter plan can’t help you figure this out. It takes coaching, observation, and sometimes real-time adjustments to make sure you’re building strength where you need it most.

The Mind-Muscle Connection: The Missing Ingredient

One of my biggest soapboxes (and my clients have heard me say this a million times!) is the importance of the mind-muscle connection.

This is more than just a trendy phrase; it’s the real secret to moving from just “working out” to truly training your body. When you have a good mind-muscle connection, you’re not just going through the motions. You’re consciously activating and feeling the muscle you’re working, every single rep.

But if you’re doing flashy, complex, multi-joint exercises too soon, the kind that influencers love to film for content, your brain is overwhelmed. You’re trying to balance, stabilize, rotate, and maybe even hop or jump all at once.

Your brain can’t keep up. You lose that focused engagement. Instead of strengthening the target muscles, you compensate with whatever’s tight or overused. That’s when you get muscle imbalances and pain.

A Perfect Example: The Turkish Getup

Let’s talk about one of my favorite examples: the Turkish Getup.

If you’re a beginner and you’ve never heard of it, good! But if you’re on social media, you probably will soon. This exercise gets tossed around as a cool test of strength and mobility. And yes, when done correctly, it’s a fantastic movement; it works on your shoulders, core, hips, and even your stabilizing muscles.

But the Turkish Getup is an advanced, complex move. It requires you to have strong, mobile shoulders, a stable core, good hip flexibility, and the coordination to put it all together. If any link in that chain is weak, the whole thing falls apart.

Worse, people try to do it with too much weight too soon, or with poor instruction, and end up with a strained back, shoulder pain, or worse.

Would I ever give the Turkish Getup to a new client on Day 1? Absolutely not. But you’d never know that if you just watch a 30-second reel from someone trying to rack up likes.

What About Age and Injuries?

Something else that frustrates me is how little age-appropriate guidance is out there online.

I work with people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, real people who want to stay strong, mobile, and independent. Many have knee or lower back pain. Some have had joint replacements. They still want to lift weights, move better, and feel proud of what their bodies can do.

But they’re not ready for high-impact moves or complex stunts. They also don’t want to be stuck doing chair exercises for the rest of their lives, and they shouldn’t be! There is a huge gap in the online world for the “in-between” folks, people who can move well, but need smart, safer variations that don’t put their weak spots at risk.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a “beginner workout” that includes deep plyometric lunges, heavy back squats, or advanced yoga flows, with zero modifications or warnings about who shouldn’t do them.

A good coach should say, “Hey, if you have unstable knees, a Bulgarian lunge is probably not the best option. Here’s what you can do instead: try a single-leg sit-to-stand with TRX support.”

This kind of thoughtful adjustment can be the difference between staying active for years… or being sidelined by an avoidable injury.

Real Coaching Is Personal, And That’s The Point

When people ask me why I don’t sell cookie-cutter programs, this is why.

Real coaching means seeing you. It means listening to your goals, your limitations, your old injuries, your schedule, your stress levels, and even your sleep and nutrition habits. It means watching how you move today, so we can get you moving better tomorrow.

At Peak Physique, that’s what we do. We’re not chasing trends. We’re not chasing algorithms. We’re here for real people with real lives, real bodies, and real goals.

Quick FAQ: How To Stay Smart When Social Media Gets Loud

I know it can be tempting to try every new workout you see online, so here’s a little guide to help you filter the noise.

Q: What Should Beginners Actually Focus On?

Master the basics: single-muscle-group strength exercises, good posture, proper form, and a strong core. Think squats, lunges, rows, push-ups (on knees if needed). And build gradually!

Q: How Do I Build That Mind-Muscle Connection?

Slow down. Focus on your breathing and form. Don’t rush through reps; quality beats quantity every time. And if you can, work with a coach who can teach you what proper engagement feels like.

Q: How Can I Make Sure My Workouts Are Age-Appropriate?

Avoid high-impact, unstable moves if you have joint issues. Look for strength exercises that protect your knees, hips, and back, and use supports like TRX or resistance bands for balance if needed.

Q: How Do I Know If An Exercise Is Too Advanced For Me?

If you can’t feel the muscles you’re supposed to be working, if you’re compensating with other body parts, or if you feel pain (not normal muscle fatigue), that’s your sign to back up.

My Final Thoughts On These Social Media Workouts

I know this was a lot, but I have a lot of thoughts on this!

At the end of the day, your body is your responsibility. It’s your one, beautiful vehicle for everything you want to do in this life. Don’t risk it for a viral workout trend that won’t serve you in the long run.

Find a coach who sees you, listens to you, and helps you build strength step by step.

If you’re ready to ditch the cookie-cutter approach and train smarter, not just harder, I’d love to talk with you.

Your results should be real, sustainable, and pain-free. That’s what we do at Peak Physique, and we can’t wait to see what you’re capable of.

– Lissa, Co-owner & Coach at Peak Physique

Ready to train smarter, not trendier?

Contact Peak Physique today for a free consultation.