Former Adelaide fitness star Kayla Itsines has expressed concern over the increasing sexualisation of the fitness industry, calling out influencers who pose with their booty on display under the pretense of a glute workout, according to The Advertiser.
The SWEAT co-founder believes some content creators use specific camera angles to gain views, a trend she does not want her children exposed to.
“I probably wouldn’t care if I didn’t have kids—I’d be like, ‘you do you, boo’,” she said in a recent video. “However, I have a daughter, and I’m trying to be an example to women. No drinking, no drugs, no smoking, no highly sexualised content.”
Dr. Simon Wilksch, senior research fellow at Flinders University, echoed her concerns, warning about the potential impact on young audiences. He emphasized the importance of media literacy programs and better support for parents and schools to prevent mental health issues.
However, opinions among Adelaide locals were divided.
Janelle Flores, 28, and Bianca Bottin, 24, argued that parents should monitor their children’s social media use rather than blaming influencers.
“I don’t think people need to stop posting gym content just because of concerns about sexualised imagery,” Bottin said.
Others, like Belinda Cooper, 45, supported women expressing confidence. “If they’re old enough to make their own decisions, it’s fine,” she said.
Meanwhile, Martine Steig, 24, and Maleen Andersen, 23, highlighted the difference between attention-seeking posts and genuine progress updates, emphasizing that young people should learn to navigate media exposure themselves.
Source: The Advertiser
