Fitness Expert Critiques Celebrity Trainers for Risky Workouts

Fitness expert Bhavna Harchandani has raised alarms about the dangerous workout routines promoted by celebrity trainers. She argues that many of these flashy exercises, showcased by top actresses, prioritize entertainment over safety, potentially leading to serious injuries. Harchandani emphasizes the importance of effective training principles and warns against the risks associated with high-intensity, unstable movements. As social media fuels the popularity of extreme fitness challenges, she advocates for a return to basic, safe exercises that enhance overall health and performance. This article delves into the implications of following viral fitness trends and the need for a more cautious approach to training.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 25, 2026, 12:58 IST

Concerns Over Celebrity Fitness Trends

Fitness authority Bhavna Harchandani has voiced strong criticism against celebrity trainers, accusing them of promoting dangerous workout routines. She expressed her concerns on Instagram, stating, “Some celebrity fitness trainers are absolute quacks and clowns in the fitness fraternity. While their workouts look fancy on Instagram - ligaments, tendons, and muscles pay the price for poor programming.” Harchandani highlighted that many top actresses, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Jyotika, and Pooja Hegde, are engaging in risky exercises like gravity-defying lunges and unstable barbell tricks. Although these routines may attract attention online, they could lead to serious injuries.

The Illusion of Flashy Workouts

Flashy does not mean effective

Harchandani emphasized that effective training should adhere to principles such as progressive overload, controlled movements, and proper biomechanics. Unfortunately, many viral workouts seem to prioritize entertainment over scientific validity. She pointed out a specific exercise where Kareena uses an incline bench as an obstacle, warning that such moves could lead to severe injuries, including neck fractures. High-risk exercises can impose excessive stress on ligaments and joints, especially when not executed with a solid foundation.

Tendonitis
Ligament sprains
Muscle strains
Lower back injuries
Shoulder impingement
Knee pain

Sports physiotherapists frequently encounter injuries stemming from these high-risk fitness challenges popularized on social media.

Understanding the Vulnerability of Connective Tissues

Why do tendons and ligaments suffer?

While muscles can adapt quickly to training, tendons and ligaments take longer to adjust. Engaging in rapid, high-intensity movements without gradual progression can leave these connective tissues susceptible to injury. Continuous stress without adequate recovery can lead to inflammation and chronic pain. Harchandani warns that the repercussions of these viral challenges may not be immediately apparent but can manifest weeks later.

The Social Media Fitness Trap

What is the social media fitness trap?

Harchandani argues that social media platforms tend to reward flashy and dramatic movements that garner engagement, leading to the proliferation of extreme workout challenges unsuitable for the average person. Many individuals attempt these routines without proper warm-ups, strength prerequisites, coaching supervision, or awareness of joint alignment, resulting in overuse injuries and acute strains. Experts advocate for functional training that enhances daily movement and athletic performance rather than compromising them for fleeting attention. “Please keep the exercises basic, simple, and fundamentally correct. Use your equipment, like your step dumbbells, kettlebells, for the intended purposes,” she advised. While not all celebrity trainers endorse unsafe practices, the trend towards performance-driven workouts has blurred the line between effective training and mere entertainment. For those aiming for strength, energy, and long-term health, it’s crucial to focus on smart programming, gradual progression, and proper recovery.