Why Practice Doesn't Share ‘Before and After’ Photos

'Before and After' photos are a powerful marketing tool in the fitness biz. They are supposed to showcase a client’s transformation and inspire others, implying that such dramatic changes are achievable with the right program or trainer.

At Practice, I never depict client progress with ‘Before and After’ photos for several reasons. Here’s why I believe that focusing on these images does more harm than good and why I prefer to measure success in more meaningful ways:

1. Before and After Photos Can Be Deceptive

The truth is before and after photos rarely tell the full story. These images often focus on short-term visual changes that can easily be manipulated. Lighting, posture, clothing choices, and even timing all influence how someone looks in a photo. The “after” picture may have been taken immediately after a workout or when the individual is dehydrated, giving the appearance of a more dramatic transformation than what’s sustainable in the long term.

What these photos don’t show is the effort, struggles, and lifestyle changes that go on behind the scenes. The images capture a moment in time but fail to reflect the full spectrum of someone’s fitness journey, including their mental and emotional growth, improvements in mobility, and long-term health benefits that don’t show up in a photo.

2. They Encourage Unhealthy Weight Loss Strategies

When the focus is solely on physical appearance, it can lead people to adopt unhealthy and unsustainable habits in the pursuit of quick results. Crash diets, extreme calorie restriction, and over-exercising are just a few methods people use to achieve those picture-perfect “after” photos. This approach can result in short-term changes but often at the expense of long-term health, mental well-being, and sustainable fitness.

At Practice, I aim to help clients build strong, healthy bodies for life, not just for the sake of a photo. Encouraging rapid weight loss or drastic physical changes is not the path to true health, and it often leads to burnout, injury, or an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise.

3. They Focus on the Wrong Metrics

Health and fitness are about so much more than just how your body looks. While physical changes are often a part of the process, the focus on aesthetics in before and after photos misses the bigger picture of what fitness is truly about. Fitness is about feeling strong, capable, and energized. It’s about improving your health, reducing pain, increasing mobility, and building a lifestyle that supports longevity and well-being.

When you focus solely on how you look, you miss out on celebrating the other milestones: hitting a personal best in the gym, managing stress better, sleeping more soundly, or simply moving pain-free. These are the real markers of success that can’t be captured in a two-dimensional photo but are far more meaningful in the long run.

4. They Fuel the Culture of Comparison

In an era of social media, where everyone’s lives are on display, before and after photos contribute to a culture of comparison. When people see these images, they may compare their own progress—or lack thereof—to someone else’s, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy, frustration, or even failure. It’s important to remember that everyone is unique, and comparing your journey to someone else’s doesn’t reflect the reality of what’s best for your body, mind, or health goals.

At Practice, I want clients to feel supported and empowered to pursue their own health without the pressure of comparison. True fitness isn’t a competition—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself, at your own pace, in your own way.

5. They Don’t Show the Full Picture of Health

Physical appearance is just one small component of overall health, and it’s far from the most important one. Before and after photos fail to show the internal changes that matter most, like improved cardiovascular health, better digestion, enhanced mental clarity, or reduced inflammation. Focusing on these deeper, more meaningful outcomes leads to long-term health improvements that a simple photo can’t capture.

True fitness progress is about how you feel, how well your body functions, and how healthy your lifestyle is—not just how your body looks on the outside.

6. They Can Reinforce Negative Body Image

For many people, before and after photos can trigger feelings of inadequacy or shame. When the emphasis is placed solely on physical appearance, it can reinforce the idea that your value is tied to how you look. This is especially harmful for those who struggle with body image issues or have a history of disordered eating.

At Practice, I work to help clients build a positive relationship with their bodies based on what their bodies can do rather than how they appear. My goal is to shift the focus from aesthetics to functional strength, health, and well-being—elements that truly matter for a balanced, fulfilling life.

Focusing on What Really Matters at Practice

At Practice, I prioritize your health, well-being, and long-term progress over the fleeting satisfaction of a transformation photo. Instead of using before and after pictures to measure success, we focus on meaningful metrics like:

• Improved strength and endurance

• Increased mobility and flexibility

• Pain reduction and injury prevention

• Better nutrition and recovery habits

• Sustainable fitness and lifestyle changes

These are the true indicators of progress that lead to long-lasting health and happiness. My goal is to empower you to feel your best, no matter what the scale or a photo might say.

And here's the really cool part: • Focusing on your overall health is the BEST way to achieve the look you want.

If you’re ready to focus on real results, let’s work together at Practice to build a healthier, stronger, and more balanced you. Click here to get started.