Healthmaxxing: The New Influencer Trend, But Is It Worth The Hype?
- Fit with Frank
- May 8
- 2 min read
Twenty five years of working in fitness, I’ve watched plenty of trends come and go...and now in 2026 we’ve arrived at “healthmaxxing" because apparently just being 'healthy' isn’t enough anymore. We’ve got to maxx it - with 2 xx's...obviously 🙄
So… What Is Healthmaxxing?
Healthmaxxing is the latest social media label for people trying to optimise every area of their health to the extreme.
Sleep tracking.
Blood markers.
Cold plunges.
Supplement stacks.
Recovery scores.
Bonding with nature.
Hammering your face!?! (True story; no idea for what purpose 😣)
Some influencers have turned it into a full time lifestyle and earn some serious money from living the 'healthmaxxing' life too.
A famous example is Bryan Johnson - the entrepreneur spending millions trying to slow ageing and extend his lifespan using strict routines, constant testing and intense health protocols.
And honestly? I get it.
I understand why people are drawn to it.
In a world where we’re stressed, overwhelmed and often disconnected from our health, seeing someone take control can feel inspiring.
The Good Side of It
There are positives.
Following people who care about their health can encourage you to:
Move more
Sleep better
Eat more nutritious food
Become more aware of your habits
Take responsibility for your wellbeing
That’s clearly a great thing, and if following someone online motivates you to go for a walk, strength train, drink more water or finally prioritise your sleep, then awesome.
Just remember:
Most of these 'healthmaxxers' are influencers. This is their job.
Their routines are designed for content as much as they are for health, and that’s where things can start drifting into extremes.
The Problem With “Maxxing” Everything
Social media rewards extremes, and being “Pretty healthy and fairly balanced” doesn’t usually go viral. (trust me, I've tried this tactic for years 😭) so the pressure becomes: do more, track more, optimise more.
But here’s what I’ve learned after 25+ years in this industry:
Most people do not need extreme health routines - they need consistency.
Exercise regularly.
Eat reasonably well.
Sleep as best you can.
Manage stress.
Laugh more.
Be around good people.
That is health maximisation for most normal human beings.
My Advice To You
The people who get the best long-term results are rarely the ones doing the most extreme things. They’re the ones who keep showing up as best as they can, consistently, and in a manner that suits their lifestyle as busy husbands/wives/parents/workers etc.
If you follow healthmaxxing content, use it as inspiration, not gospel.
Take the bits that help you and leave the bits that make you anxious, obsessive or feel like you’re never doing enough, because the reality for most of us mere mortals out here, doing our best each day is more than enough.
Want to hear more?
🎧 We discussed this topic in depth on the latest episode of VOFR podcast:“Healthmaxxing Influencers: Are We Taking Optimisation Too Far?”
Meanwhile, I'm off for a cold plunge and a date with my hammer 🔨 (not a euphemism)
See you soon!
FRANK
your Personal Trainer / Self-Certified-HealthMaxxer
