We Need To Talk About That Shirtless Guy On Facebook
We’ve all seen the videos scrolling through our feeds lately.
There is an influencer (usually shirtless, usually sporting six-pack abs and veins popping out of their biceps) doing a “Tai Chi Walk.” The caption promises that this simple, slow movement is the secret ancient hack to melting belly fat and getting shredded.
It is time for a reality check.
That guy didn’t get that body from Tai Chi.
He got that body from heavy resistance training, progressive overload in the gym, and a strict caloric deficit. He is using a physique built by iron (and probably extra “supplements”) to sell you a practice built on softness.
It is a marketing lie, and frankly, it is disrespectful to the art we practice.
The “Physique Mismatch”
If you come to Tai Chi expecting to get ripped, you are going to be disappointed. And worse, you might quit before you experience the actual magic of the practice.
Here is the simple physiology: To build bulging muscles, you need to tear muscle fibers with heavy resistance so they grow back larger. To lose significant weight, you need a caloric deficit.
Tai Chi is roughly equivalent to a gentle walk in terms of calorie burn. It is low impact. It is low intensity.
That isn’t a flaw in the system; that is the entire point.
The Evidence in the Temple
I look around and see students who have been practicing Tai Chi faithfully for 10, 15, even 20 years.
They are 70 years old and have great balance. They have reduced the risk of serious falls, while their peers are recovering from broken hips.
If Tai Chi were a weight-loss drug, these 20-year veterans would have failed. But Tai Chi isn’t a weight-loss drug. It is a longevity strategy.
What You Actually Get (Better than Abs)
When we stop chasing the “six-pack lie,” we can appreciate what Tai Chi actually offers. It offers things that a calorie deficit cannot give you:
- Proprioception & Fall Prevention: We are training the nervous system to know exactly where the body is in space. This is the difference between stumbling and recovering versus falling and breaking a bone as we age.
- Joint Lubrication: Think of Tai Chi as WD-40 for your body. It gently moves synovial fluid through the joints, keeping them healthy without the grinding wear-and-tear of high-impact cardio.
- Stress Regulation: The “influencers” aren’t totally wrong—Tai Chi does lower cortisol (the stress hormone). While this might not melt 30 pounds of fat overnight, it stops the stress-cycle that ruins our health in modern life.
The Bottom Line
If you want to lose weight, look at your nutrition. If you want to build big biceps, go lift heavy weights.
But if you want to be able to move those muscles without pain when you are 80? If you want to tie your own shoes, play with your grandkids on the floor, and navigate the world with confidence and stability?
That is why you are here.
Don’t let social media distort your reality.
Your practice is working, even if your waistline stays the same. You are building a body that lasts, not just a body that looks good on Instagram.
See you in class.
-Sifu Oscar
P.S. I know some of you do want to build muscle but feel like you don’t have the time. Next week, I’m going to share a new study that proves exactly how 10 minutes a day can build real muscle (and no, it’s not by walking slowly). Keep an eye out.
P.P.S.
1. Schedule a time to observe a class.
Interested in Kung Fu or Tai Chi? First step is to watch a class and see if we would be a good fit! Email: kungfu@wahlum.com for an appointment.
2. Become part of my exclusive Coaching Group with CYH Remote Coaching. Get personalized coaching delivered right to your phone and catered to your specific goals.
Email: kungfu@wahlum.com for info.