Strong Looks Different on Everyone: Why Real Strength Isn't Just for Highlight Reel
Take a scroll through most fitness feeds and you’ll see it: chiselled abs, perfect lighting, sweat in just the right places. These photos can be inspiring, but they can also make you feel like fitness is only for a certain “type” of body.
At ChasingBetter247, we know better. We see every type of body, every day. The tired mum who shows up in between school drop-offs. The 40-something dad with a sore back and a soft belly. The young person walking into the gym for the first time, carrying more weight than they want but more courage than they realise.
This blog isn’t about the highlight reel. It’s about the people behind it. The ones chasing better in their own way, at their own pace. It’s a reminder that real strength isn’t always visible on the surface. Sometimes it looks like showing up when you're exhausted. Sometimes it looks like failing and coming back anyway.
Positive body image isn't about pretending you're happy with everything, all the time. It's about acknowledging your body for what it can do, not just how it looks. It’s understanding that your body, regardless of size, shape, or ability, deserves care, movement, rest, and respect.
We live in a world that constantly tells us to “shrink”, “tone”, or “transform”. But at ChasingBetter247, we believe in building strength, resilience, and confidence that lasts longer than a photo on a feed.
Strength isn’t defined by biceps or six-packs. Strength is personal. For some, it’s deadlifting double their body weight. For others, it’s walking through the gym doors for the first time after years of self-doubt.
We celebrate both.
You don’t need to look like a fitness model to be strong. You just need to keep going when it’s hard. Real strength is forged in the moments when you want to quit but don’t. That’s not weakness. That’s growth.
Some days will be tough. You’ll be tired, sore, mentally stretched. That’s not a failure, that’s part of the process. At ChasingBetter247, we don’t shy away from hard. We know hard is where resilience is built.
You don’t have to enjoy every workout. You don’t have to PR every week. But you do have to choose to show up, even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s how change - real, lasting change - happens.
The people you follow online, and the people around you in real life, can shape your self-image more than you think.
If your social media feed is making you feel “less than”, it’s time to unfollow. Follow people who inspire honestly, who talk about struggle, who celebrate progress over perfection, and who remind you that you’re not alone.
At our gym, we want to be a space where members encourage each other. Where no one judges your starting point. Where your effort matters more than your aesthetics. Find your people. Lean on them. Be one of them for someone else.
Whether your goal is to feel stronger, move more freely, keep up with your kids, or finally feel at home in your own skin, you belong here. Your path may not look like someone else’s, and that’s exactly the point. Your wins are yours, and they count.
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure, you don’t have to go it alone. Our Personal Trainers aren’t here to turn you into someone else. They’re here to help you become the best version of you. With realistic guidance, tailored programs, and genuine support, they can help you move forward, one step at a time.
At ChasingBetter247, we believe the fitness community should lift you up, not tear you down. Your body is not the enemy. Your worth is not defined by your weight or your waistline. Celebrate what your body can do today. And keep showing up for what it can become tomorrow.