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Fitness influencer trains only one shoulder for 300 days; doctor warns of spinal misalignment and joint strain

While TikTok hyped ‘looksmaxing,’ an influencer went against the trend and created his own version, ‘looksminimiser.’ Instead of working on his overall physical appearance to look attractive, he started training just one shoulder for about 300 days.

January 13, 2026 / 14:01 IST
A fitness influencer created his own version of TikTok trend 'looksmaxing' and it is called 'looksminimiser'. (Picture Credit: Instagram/@thecrookedman10)
Snapshot AI
  • A user trained only one shoulder to counter TikTok's 'looksmaxing' trend
  • His experiment led to visible muscle imbalance and raised health concerns
  • Experts warn of risks like spinal misalignment and chronic pain

Social media has become a place for viral trends, which become so popular that many follow suit. However, a 20-year-old male user by the name of ‘The Crooked Man’ did quite the opposite. To counter one of the most popular trends on TikTok known as ‘looksmaxing’, he created his own version called ‘looksminimiser’.

Instead of switching up his physical appearance to attract attention from the opposite sex, he decided to train only one shoulder of his body repeatedly, creating a visibly asymmetrical appearance. He has documented the journey on his Instagram account, explaining his reasons for doing so.

He said, “Why does the one trap guy work out one trap? It's pretty simple. I was scrolling TikToks in my Ferrari, and I kept getting these looksmaxing TikToks. And they were like, 'Do this, do that. You'll look more attractive. You'll get more women,’ And it's like, people have that problem? I have the opposite problem.”

Take a look at the clip

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by The crooked man (@thecrookedman10)

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This led him to begin his own challenge of exercising only one side of his body, and the results are quite surprising—an uneven physical appearance, where one arm and shoulder are llarger than the other. His torso, though, is in fine shape. This shows how exercise can be effective in building muscle, though his goal may have been different.

The digital creator has been open about his journey. In one of his videos, he also shared some of the high-protein foods he consumes daily to maintain his body. These include ground beef, eggs, sardines, Greek yogurt, and protein powder. They have certainly helped him stay in shape.

However, when it comes to long-term health implications, it may not be wise to do so, according to Dr. Suhail Hussain. The doctor told LADbible in a previous interview that this adventure of ‘The Crooked Man’ was more risky than beneficial. He warned of the “clear musculoskeletal imbalance” the influencer was developing.

Dr Hussain added that this could lead to “spinal misalignment, joint strain, compensatory injuries in surrounding muscles and even chronic pain.” And it’s not just the doctor; many social media users have also found this experiment to be dangerous for the creator, with many saying he shouldn’t just do it for the internet.

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FAQs on spinal misalignment:

1. What is spinal misalignment?

Spinal misalignment occurs when the spine is not in its natural position, affecting posture and nerve function.

2. What causes spinal misalignment?

Poor posture, prolonged sitting, incorrect sleeping positions, injuries, and lack of physical activity.

3. What are common symptoms of spinal misalignment?

Back or neck pain, stiffness, headaches, fatigue, and reduced mobility.

4. Can spinal misalignment affect overall health?

Yes, it can impact nerves, muscle balance, and may lead to chronic pain or discomfort.

5. How can spinal misalignment be corrected?

Improving posture, regular stretching, strengthening exercises, and consulting a physiotherapist or doctor if pain persists.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.

Gursimran Kaur Banga is a Delhi-based content creator, editor and storyteller.
first published: Jan 13, 2026 02:01 pm

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