This chapter discusses the counterbalance to positive outcomes by examining fitness technology's impact on social physique anxiety and stress through social comparison. This chapter utilizes Social Comparison Theory to elucidate how social and competitive factors can redirect individuals’ attention from personal growth to seeking external approval, thereby introducing possible psychological hazards. The dual impact plays a central role in the nuanced perspective that this book aims to offer.

Fitness technology has the potential to boost motivation and self-perception, yet its social and comparative aspects can pose notable psychological hurdles for numerous users (Codina et al., 2024). The data shows that certain features, especially those related to social sharing and peer comparison, heighten social physique anxiety, a type of anxiety triggered by the perception of others judging one's physical appearance (Zartaloudi et al., 2023). This section delves into how the social dimensions of fitness technology create settings where individuals might experience self-consciousness, anxiety, or pressure to conform to certain social fitness norms. The results are situated within Social Comparison Theory and relevant psychological studies, emphasizing how the design of the technology may at times compromise users’ self-esteem and welfare.