Lying Gym Bros vs. Ari Fletcher: Who’s Really Putting in the Work?

When Ari Fletcher declared herself a “gym girlie,” Twitter acted like she’d invented crunches. One casual tweet spiraled into think-pieces on abs, authenticity, and whether the gym is real or just vibes.

This episode? A cyberpsychology deep dive. We’re talking rage-baiting as influencer cardio, why parasocial judgment feels like a team sport, and how hate-watching turns into emotional CrossFit.

Messy, petty, and a little academic, it’s cyberpsychology with contour.

References

Perceived Authenticity

• Breves, P. L., & Schramm, H. (2022). Perceived authenticity in social media communication: Consequences for influencers and followers. Cyberpsychology.