Fake It Till You Make It? The rise of buying fitness credits.

 

Would you pay someone to log into your running app and do the running for you, all in an effort to boost your social media profile? Believe it or not, this is a reality in Indonesia.

Some users of the Strava app in Indonesia are paying individuals to act as "Strava Jockeys," running or cycling for them at specific paces. The fee varies depending on the pace, with faster paces commanding a higher payment.

This trend began when a user with the handle @hahahiheho on X.com shared a joke tweet: "By the way, I'm starting a Strava jockey service!! My brother, an accomplished runner, will take on the task. The price depends on the pace, distance, and other factors. DM me." Since then, there has been an increase in Strava jockeys, who offer their services for a fee on the Strava app.

Most of these "jockies" are teenagers, and their clients tend to be elderly individuals who lack the time or ability to exercise themselves. They charge anywhere from $0.50 to $1.25 per kilometer, depending on the pace.

If this trend were to spread globally, it could lead to chaos on social media platforms, where many people are obsessed with accumulating "likes" and will go to great lengths to achieve online validation. It also raises questions about how far people will go to obtain online fame and whether they will be willing to pay for it.

Unfortunately, this business model benefits teenagers who are still agile but may harm adults who desperately need regular exercise for their physical and mental well-being.

However, not all Strava users in Indonesia are participating in this trend. For instance, @LapoSehat tweeted: "Don't become a jockey. Instead, start building a habit of light exercise and gradually increase your activity level!"

Perhaps we can promote hashtags like #RunningWithTumiSole, #FetchYourBody2024 that encourage people to engage in physical activity for their health rather than buying their way to social media fame.