Michelle Bridges: Health and fitness has become ‘a T&A fest’ thanks to Instagram
Michelle Bridges has slammed those who’ve turned the fitness industry into a “t**s and arse” fest, and reveals what life in lockdown with her “rock star” looks like.
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Exclusive: Exercise trailblazer Michelle Bridges has said social media has turned the fitness industry into a “tits and arse” fest, with an overemphasis on looks.
The personal trainer said the obsession with “getting your six pack and getting your booty” — propelled by the Instagram — has overtaken the importance of healthy eating and exercise.
“I feel like I’m really old in saying that it concerns me and it worries me that my industry is turned into a T&A fest. But nonetheless, that’s where we’re at,” she said.
“We live in a world in which there’s a lot of imagery out there that relates to getting your six pack and getting your booty. And I feel like it’s a place that we’re going to be able to navigate, but we’re going to have to start working on that.”
The 49-year-old, who has dedicated more than 30 years of her life to helping people improve their health and fitness through sustainable and long-term change, said social media still had a way to go in promoting greater body diversity.
“We live in a world in which there’s a lot of imagery out there that relates to getting your six pack and getting your booty. And I feel like it’s a place that we’re going to be able to navigate, but we’re going to have to start working on that,” Bridges said.
“Back in the day everybody used to throw their arms in the air about how everything was airbrushed and everything was pulled in and tightened up. Magazines are almost dead and gone these days, but now it’s just moved to Instagram. It’s the same conversation.”
Being early to the conversation is something Bridges is all too familiar with.
Almost a decade ago when she first launched her active wear line with Big W, much of her industry thought she was insane.
The personal trainer and fitness expert was at the top of her professional game thanks appearing on The Biggest Loser as a team trainer and the runaway success of her 12 Week Body Transformation program. But, itching for something new, Bridges not only wanted to create a line of clothing that was accessible and affordable for the masses, she also wanted it to go up to a size 26.
“That was a very new concept. Unless you were a 14 and below you didn’t exist back then,” Bridges said. “But I always knew that I wanted to reach the general public that were close to my heart; mums and dads with kids and a mortgage, and that probably couldn’t afford 120 bucks for a pair of tights.”
Eight years on, the range continues to be one of the chain’s best-selling lines and Bridges is still stopped in the street and thanked by women catered for through her line.
“I would love to say I’m a pioneer or a trailblazer, but the truth of the matter is from the age of 14 I’ve been working hands on, grassroots, with people doing the hard yards in the trenches. The reality is I’ve worked with everyone all shapes and sizes, and I understand. And those two components is the whole reason this range was born.”
The latest No Limits collection, a trans-seasonal line of tonal colours perfect for walking or working out takes inspiration – in part – from Bridges’ friend and fellow designer Camilla Franks, who she affectionately calls “the colour queen”.
“I feel like the whole fitness industry has gone into neutral black and whites. And I love it … I’m a black and white lover from way back, but I also think, ‘let’s have some fun, let’s bring back some colour. Especially now!,” she said laughing from her Sydney home where she is riding out the pandemic with her five-year-old son, Axel.
“It’s a strange time, but this has enabled me to sharp focus down on the things that are very important to me. Number one is my son, he’s been my rock star as far as how I want to give my time to him and enable him to feel safe and have anchor points and his structure and his habits and routine,” she said.
“Those things have been in very sharp focus for me during COVID and I’ve actually really enjoyed it. It’s enabled me to stop and focus on the things that are really important to me in my personal and professional life.”
When asked if she thinks the pandemic has the potential to change people’s long-term approach to health and fitness for the better thanks to having more time at home and greater access to free workouts, she said laughing, “I think COVID has the potential to change people’s long-term approach to life!”
“Nobody wants to be locked in their homes 24/7, but it’s definitely dialled down the incessant need to always be on the go and always doing something. You wouldn’t wish it on anybody, but at least it’s given us the kick in the butt to realise that even just walking and being out of the house makes you feel better,” she said.
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Originally published as Michelle Bridges: Health and fitness has become ‘a T&A fest’ thanks to Instagram