In 2016, we have been introduced and reintroduced to a variety of dangerous health and fitness trends. 

We all want to burn calories without having to work out and many of us are always looking for a quick fix. Sometimes, we even end up falling into the temptation of the media. Fitness trends are everywhere; whether you are mimicking the person next to you using weights or trying that new exercise that “claims” to be effective. In 2016, we have been introduced and reintroduced to a variety of dangerous health trends like hot yoga, sauna suits, and waist trainers. These popular trends may seem like the easy way out, but they are actually causing you more harm than good.

 Weights or trying that new exercise that “claims” to be effective.

Hot Yoga

Hot yoga is an intense form of yoga performed in a studio that is heated to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit and has a humidity of around 40 percent. These harsh conditions are what make it one of the most dangerous health trends of 2016. Along with the extreme temperatures, your body also produces its own heat, which can cause you to suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke. 

Box Jumps

Assuming you do them correctly, box jumps are said to “potentiate the nervous system for gains in strength and size,” t-nation.com explains. They claim to be a great exercise to help increase performance. The truth is that injuries to knees, shins, and ankles are common with this form of exercise, which is why it needs to disappear in 2017.

Crunches

No, they don’t help you lose any fat, and the truth is that they are one of the most useless exercises. It will literally take you around 250,000 crunches to burn one pound of fat. The good news is that there are plenty of other abdominal exercises you can do to strengthen your core. 

Sauna Suits

Sauna Suits have become increasingly popular in 2016. People who want to lose weight fast wear them because they are designed to make you sweat a lot. This ultimately results in loss of water weight and, in turn, harms you by dehydrating your body. The suits cause your core temperature to rise and your metabolism to be temporarily elevated as your body works hard to cool itself, livestrong.com explains. “This normally results in an increased heart rate and increase in blood circulation.” 

Electric Ab Belts

Electric ab belts are said to give your abs a workout by causing your muscles to contract — without actually having to workout. Although electrical stimulation has been affective, the ab belts won’t make a significant difference in your appearance. Your muscles will be toned but in many cases they are hidden by fat. Not to mention, these belts typically cost around $90 to $200. Do you really think it’s worth it? 

Overloading Weights

It is a common misconception that overloading your weights will help you reach your goals faster. If you can handle the excess weight, that’s great. But for those of you who are struggling, it is because you are overloading your muscles, and you’re likely to endure muscle strains and, in some cases, bone fractures.

Waist Training

Waist training has become one of the most dangerous fitness trends of 2016. The body-shaping corsets are said to reduce your waist size and accentuate your curves. Although they do what they promise, wearing one may not be worth the risk. Waist trainers put too much pressure on your lungs and ribs, which makes it hard to breathe. According to USA Today, long-term use may cause permanent organ and nerve damage. 

Cupping

Cupping has become a huge trend in 2016, but it’s also one of the most dangerous. The skin is drawn into the cup through suction and creates a vacuum; it is placed on the skin over the targeted area. Some people believe it helps treat pain and muscle knots, but there is poor evidence to support this. Cupping may cause burns, pain, bruising, and skin infections. 

Gluten-Free Diet

More and more people have been substituting their “processed” foods for foods that are gluten-free. This is OK for those of you who suffer from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity; but for individuals who do not, gluten-free diets should be avoided. Products that are gluten-free are often low in nutrients. Studies have shown that they can be deficient in fiber, zinc, iron, vitamin B12, and calcium. 

Pre-Workout Supplements

Pre-workout supplements help energize you, boost your performance and help you sustain high intensity levels. They have been proven to help increase fat loss and enhance muscles. So, why should they disappear? Many of these supplements contain a variety of ingredients ranging from creatine to caffeine and guarana. In some cases, they have been shown to cause vomiting, anxiety, high blood pressure, headaches, and kidney damage. 

Toning Shoes

Contrary to what many people believe, there is no credible evidence that wearing toning shoes will help you burn more calories and tone your legs. There have not been any studies that have proven that these shoes improve balance or stability to a great degree, according to mayoclinic.org. “In addition, the Consumer Product Safety Commission continues to receive numerous complaints about foot, leg and hip pain associated with these shoes.” 

Weight Loss Pills

Diet pills have been a long-running fitness trend. The majority of them are extremely dangerous; they contain stimulants that have been found to increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Many of them also contain amphetamines, which can cause addiction. 

Plastic Body Wraps

OK, so wrapping your waist in plastic wrap is supposed to be a quick fix to lose weight. Think about how ridiculous this sounds. Yes, the act of wrapping yourself in these wraps does cause sweating, which helps you lose water weight; but that’s all you’re losing. Not to mention excessive sweating can lead to dehydration, and because the sweat does not dry it stays trapped under the wrap your body temperature may rise to harmful levels. 

Energy Drinks

Many gym-goers looking for a quick energy boost resort to energy drinks. While you may think that this is enhancing your gym session, it’s actually doing more harm than good. The common ingredients in these drinks usually include sugar, caffeine or guarana, amino acids, and herbal supplements. They also have added stimulants that may potentially cause harm to the body. Consuming too much caffeine can be extremely dangerous. It can lead to insomnia, headaches, anxiety, restlessness, nervousness, nausea, and irritability. Here are the most dangerous energy drinks. 

Meal Replacement Shakes

Replacing your meals with a powdered concoction mixed with milk or water will not be fully effective in enhancing your weight loss goals. The truth is that these shakes aren’t very satisfying and you may end up still feeling hungry. According to 12wbt.com, “When a body consumes a proper meal, made up of real, whole foods, the process of chewing, tasting and digesting is slower and more satisfying. For people who consume up to three shakes a day, ‘taste fatigue’ can be a huge problem.”