Body Work: The curiously self-punishing rites of fitness culture(thebaffler.com)
thebaffler.com
Body Work: The curiously self-punishing rites of fitness culture
https://thebaffler.com/outbursts/body-work-ehrenreich
59 comments
You offer your view/counterview narratives as skeptical trial balloons but I think you needn't be so skeptical.
That is, interpretation of any phenomenon--fitness, education, programming, etc.--can be done enthusiastically or critically, as an encomium or a critique. (There are other modes, but I'm focusing on these two here.) Being able to do both is central to understanding that interpretation or judgement is not an objective act of reception but a guided act of perception.
Without the skeptical mood, your narratives reveal that none of the acts of fitness, education, and programming are unalloyed goods or unmitigated problems. Rather, they are things that can be perceived differently depending on what one takes into account.
Knowing this enables us to make decisions with greater information and, hopefully, deeper wisdom, even as it complicates what from a more limited perspective may seem straightforward.
EDIT: add "more" in last sentence.
That is, interpretation of any phenomenon--fitness, education, programming, etc.--can be done enthusiastically or critically, as an encomium or a critique. (There are other modes, but I'm focusing on these two here.) Being able to do both is central to understanding that interpretation or judgement is not an objective act of reception but a guided act of perception.
Without the skeptical mood, your narratives reveal that none of the acts of fitness, education, and programming are unalloyed goods or unmitigated problems. Rather, they are things that can be perceived differently depending on what one takes into account.
Knowing this enables us to make decisions with greater information and, hopefully, deeper wisdom, even as it complicates what from a more limited perspective may seem straightforward.
EDIT: add "more" in last sentence.
My thoughts exactly. And she probably knows perfectly well what she’s doing - she professes to take pride in her numbers - but has a journalistic imperative to write things that people will read.
I often wonder how much controversy is directly the result of bored/hungry journalists duking it out in a highly competitive arena of ideas.
I often wonder how much controversy is directly the result of bored/hungry journalists duking it out in a highly competitive arena of ideas.
I think that there's a very good point here which is being ignored: that in order to be in the manager/director/CxO class it has become a near-requirement to go to the gym. Once upon a time attendance at church would have been mandatory; any candidate who didn't belong to a church, or the Masons, or whatever, would have been 'not quite our type'; now someone who's not physically fit is 'not really a cultural fit.'
As far as I can tell, it's really status signalling. Once upon a time the wealthy were overweight, as a show of their superior access to resources; now that our society is so rich that anyone can be fat, the wealthy are fit, as a show of their superior access to the resources of time (to exercise) & money (to belong to a gym/hire a trainer/eat fancy engineered food).
And the thing is, I don't think it's actually relevant to the jobs of managing, directing or being CxO.
As far as I can tell, it's really status signalling. Once upon a time the wealthy were overweight, as a show of their superior access to resources; now that our society is so rich that anyone can be fat, the wealthy are fit, as a show of their superior access to the resources of time (to exercise) & money (to belong to a gym/hire a trainer/eat fancy engineered food).
And the thing is, I don't think it's actually relevant to the jobs of managing, directing or being CxO.
This is nonsense.
Being in good shape is a direct visible sign of self discipline, ability to work towards goals despite pain, resilience, impulse control, patience, long term thinking, and many other positive traits.
It's literally the diametric opposite of what you suggest, in many ways it's arguably the only truly meaningful status symbol you can't buy, inherit, or win via lottery. You have no choice but to work for it.
Not to mention, besides its usefulness as a proxy for positive traits, it also has direct effects. Exercise leads to improved mental health and other effects that are directly applicable to doing a better job.
Being in good shape is a direct visible sign of self discipline, ability to work towards goals despite pain, resilience, impulse control, patience, long term thinking, and many other positive traits.
It's literally the diametric opposite of what you suggest, in many ways it's arguably the only truly meaningful status symbol you can't buy, inherit, or win via lottery. You have no choice but to work for it.
Not to mention, besides its usefulness as a proxy for positive traits, it also has direct effects. Exercise leads to improved mental health and other effects that are directly applicable to doing a better job.
All true but as someone who lives in Santa Cruz, the home of CrossFit, I will say there is a strong subjective correlation between fitness douchebags and CrossFit. To paraphrase Bill Maher, it's not that all CrossFit people are douchebags, it's that most of the douchebags I meet in the gym are doing CrossFit routines requiring them to alternate between 2 or 3 machines in a precise rhythm which we should not interrupt for any reason or there will be horrible consequences.
The best example here was this body beautiful couple that never smiled in the gym for any reason whatsoever. When they wanted your machine, they would each man the machines on either side of you with very low weight and sit there slowly pumping reps on it whilst glaring at you to try and get you to give the machine to them. After a few instances of this, I responded by slowing down my routine and throwing in extra exercises just to mess with them because this was hella annoying. They could have just asked me when I would be done, which would have been in about 2 or 3 minutes, but apparently forming words was too much work for them so it became an eternity of 5 minutes instead.
When my membership expired, I left that gym and never returned.
The best example here was this body beautiful couple that never smiled in the gym for any reason whatsoever. When they wanted your machine, they would each man the machines on either side of you with very low weight and sit there slowly pumping reps on it whilst glaring at you to try and get you to give the machine to them. After a few instances of this, I responded by slowing down my routine and throwing in extra exercises just to mess with them because this was hella annoying. They could have just asked me when I would be done, which would have been in about 2 or 3 minutes, but apparently forming words was too much work for them so it became an eternity of 5 minutes instead.
When my membership expired, I left that gym and never returned.
I don't know what kinds of gyms the author is going to, but in my years of taking an active interest in fitness I have never seen a gym employee tell anyone to stop dancing, nor have I ever heard anyone tell me to "crush my workout". I'm not really sure what the point of the article is aside from "I did this thing and now I don't and here's a long winded article about it", but I'm glad the author ended up listening to her body in the end and hope she's in a good place now with her health.
Many people just enjoy their workouts. Of course there is a small number of obsessives in any activity. Of course there are people that hate working out but just want the result. But from years of experience I can tell most people just feel good both during and after their gym visits.
I wouldn't bother reading this article, it's just an anti-exercise polemic. The author prefers to act as though she's observing some kind of pointless alien culture without acknowledging even the obvious reasons people go to the gym.
s/article/website
It's always been that way... the dark, snarky side of Harvard's self-loathing. It's ideology is really the antithesis of what goes on at HN. Try reading some other articles in the Baffler....
It's always been that way... the dark, snarky side of Harvard's self-loathing. It's ideology is really the antithesis of what goes on at HN. Try reading some other articles in the Baffler....
> The major interaction that goes on in gyms is not between members or between members and staff, but between the fitness devotee and his or her body.
That's exactly what makes a gym a palatable place for asocial types like me.
That's exactly what makes a gym a palatable place for asocial types like me.
Quite fitting that this article comes in the beginning March, when resolutioners come to the realization that fitness, like everything else, requires dedication and focus to reap rewards, and subsequently create ridiculous excuses for giving up.
The most ridiculous claim in this essay is that gyms are classist towards employees when, in reality, getting certified as a trainer is one of the most accessible paths to a solid income for someone without a college degree. But that, of course, requires dedication and focus as well, so the author is blind to it.
The most ridiculous claim in this essay is that gyms are classist towards employees when, in reality, getting certified as a trainer is one of the most accessible paths to a solid income for someone without a college degree. But that, of course, requires dedication and focus as well, so the author is blind to it.
'Functional' exercise is often underrated (e.g. boxing, martial-arts, crossfit).
I used to be very healthy when I went to my local boxing gym regularly. Unfortunately there's not a boxing gym near where I currently live.
Interestingly, I joined the local (regular) gym for a year (cancelled my membership in January) and I'm in the worst shape I've been in for about 9 years.
edit: added a word
I used to be very healthy when I went to my local boxing gym regularly. Unfortunately there's not a boxing gym near where I currently live.
Interestingly, I joined the local (regular) gym for a year (cancelled my membership in January) and I'm in the worst shape I've been in for about 9 years.
edit: added a word
Totally agree with you. I do judo and workout at a regular gym and I'm in pretty good shape.
If people want a good fun workout I think they should give combat sports a try. If they don't want to actually fight fitness boxing could work. Or spar and not get hit judo or bjj are good.
If people want a good fun workout I think they should give combat sports a try. If they don't want to actually fight fitness boxing could work. Or spar and not get hit judo or bjj are good.
It's not about punishment but enjoying to feel resistance in the forces of nature.
Paraphrasing from Henry Rollins: The iron doesn't lie. 200lbs will always be 200lbs, and that's a nice constant to rely on.
Taking it even further, exercising for me is all about making my everyday life easier. Being stronger than average means I have a much easier time opening jars, taking down kitchen machines from the top of the cupboard, moving around furniture and countless other things that people do all the time.
I started out not even being able to do a single pushup, and I felt like a fat slob (because that's what I was). Now I'm stronger and fitter and everything physical is just so much easier. I'm still not at my goal of getting rid of my beer gut, but so much better than where I used to be. I can run up stairs now, I couldn't even imagine trying to lug myself up the stairs at work if I weighed 200kg.
Taking it even further, exercising for me is all about making my everyday life easier. Being stronger than average means I have a much easier time opening jars, taking down kitchen machines from the top of the cupboard, moving around furniture and countless other things that people do all the time.
I started out not even being able to do a single pushup, and I felt like a fat slob (because that's what I was). Now I'm stronger and fitter and everything physical is just so much easier. I'm still not at my goal of getting rid of my beer gut, but so much better than where I used to be. I can run up stairs now, I couldn't even imagine trying to lug myself up the stairs at work if I weighed 200kg.
With the cherry picked attacks on the article and author, coupled with the competitiveness of the deeper threads about it on HN (example: 270 pounds? That's nothing! Not following a regimented process? Lack of discipline! Your body's fitness is a useful proxy for positive leadership traits!), I can't help but conclude that the crowd here has validated the article quite nicely.
It's no longer just about being healthy; it's about social and virtue signalling. Even HN in't immune.
It's no longer just about being healthy; it's about social and virtue signalling. Even HN in't immune.
This 'article' seems pretty biased toward ignorance of the body, or even what 'fitness' is. Most gyms incentivise use of easy to maintain machines at the cost of your fitness. This is commercial chain gym culture, quite distinct from fitness culture. The author seems to be rationalizing having given up on their body, by reframing it as refusing to 'pusnish' it. Unadulterated garbage.
>A regimented dancelike experience, as in aerobics or Zumba, is fine, but unsupervised dance moves reek of hedonism, and working out is supposed to be a form of work. Most people come with a plan like “legs and shoulders today” or “forty-five minutes of cardio and fifteen minutes of abs,” usually preceded by a warm-up and topped off with several minutes of stretching on a mat.
>[Insert:] Despite the pulsing pop music and comfortable clothes, gyms are not sites of spontaneity and play.
>Working out very much resembles work, or a curious blend of physical labor and office work. Members not only lift weights, for example; they often carry clipboards on which to record the number of reps and sets and the amount of weight lifted for each workout, like a supervisor monitoring a factory worker’s performance.
God forbid people set goals for their bodies and approach them in an efficient, systematic manner instead of running around like children. This article is beyond useless, and there are few things I find more pathetic and loathsome than condescending social critics who squeeze other people's pursuits into their sentimental, rigor-averse narrative. Any lifestyle or socio-economic conclusions drawn from this set of assumptions about how a gym ought to be are just begging the question.
>[Insert:] Despite the pulsing pop music and comfortable clothes, gyms are not sites of spontaneity and play.
>Working out very much resembles work, or a curious blend of physical labor and office work. Members not only lift weights, for example; they often carry clipboards on which to record the number of reps and sets and the amount of weight lifted for each workout, like a supervisor monitoring a factory worker’s performance.
God forbid people set goals for their bodies and approach them in an efficient, systematic manner instead of running around like children. This article is beyond useless, and there are few things I find more pathetic and loathsome than condescending social critics who squeeze other people's pursuits into their sentimental, rigor-averse narrative. Any lifestyle or socio-economic conclusions drawn from this set of assumptions about how a gym ought to be are just begging the question.
This comment breaks the HN guidelines, specifically the one that asks you not to call names in arguments (e.g. "pathetic", "loathsome", "condescending"). I understand the temptation to do this—I have to resist it all the time myself, and sometimes succumb. But it really is just verbal discharge, not information. We're hoping for the opposite here.
Could you please (re-)read https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html and stick to the spirit of this site when commenting here? The idea is: if you have a substantive point to make, make it thoughtfully; if you don't, please don't comment until you do.
Could you please (re-)read https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html and stick to the spirit of this site when commenting here? The idea is: if you have a substantive point to make, make it thoughtfully; if you don't, please don't comment until you do.
It's something I butted up against several times in my previous role (hence now why I'm a "former" CMO...).
I worked at a group fitness company, really great concept which blends play and HIIT to create an inclusive, fun workout (essentially running around like children in sharp bursts, which is ultra effective). I kept trying to push the notion that we shouldn't be trying to convince people that they hate the gym, or that they should embrace group exercise when it's not right for them.
However, it's worth noting that broadly, the numbers back it up that the majority of people just don't like the gym regime. Churn, vacancy rates, MRR... all point to people trying to force themselves to do it, and then give up because they don't like it (50% will quit before 6 months - sure, it might be they achieve their goals in that time, but attendance rates would probably indicate otherwise).
My main critique of the piece is the lack of awareness that things like Zumba are specifically group exercises, randomly dancing in a normal gym is like body-popping in a morgue - if that's what you want to do, do it in a different place.
As ever with opinion pieces like the article, one person bemoaning other people's workouts isn't helpful. It's almost as if we are an amazingly diverse species with different drivers and motivations, isn't it?
I worked at a group fitness company, really great concept which blends play and HIIT to create an inclusive, fun workout (essentially running around like children in sharp bursts, which is ultra effective). I kept trying to push the notion that we shouldn't be trying to convince people that they hate the gym, or that they should embrace group exercise when it's not right for them.
However, it's worth noting that broadly, the numbers back it up that the majority of people just don't like the gym regime. Churn, vacancy rates, MRR... all point to people trying to force themselves to do it, and then give up because they don't like it (50% will quit before 6 months - sure, it might be they achieve their goals in that time, but attendance rates would probably indicate otherwise).
My main critique of the piece is the lack of awareness that things like Zumba are specifically group exercises, randomly dancing in a normal gym is like body-popping in a morgue - if that's what you want to do, do it in a different place.
As ever with opinion pieces like the article, one person bemoaning other people's workouts isn't helpful. It's almost as if we are an amazingly diverse species with different drivers and motivations, isn't it?
> running around like children
> their sentimental, rigor-averse narrative
Me, I experience a positive correlation between gym-affinity and tediousness in the people I meet.
> there are few things I find more pathetic and loathsome than condescending social critics
Do you perchance derive a feeling of superiority from your rigorosity?
> their sentimental, rigor-averse narrative
Me, I experience a positive correlation between gym-affinity and tediousness in the people I meet.
> there are few things I find more pathetic and loathsome than condescending social critics
Do you perchance derive a feeling of superiority from your rigorosity?
ah, the knife cuts both ways. do you perchance enjoy a feeling of superiority when you use the term "sportsball"? how much more cerebral and refined you must be than those sweaty grunts!
i find people who spend their days "coding for fun" or whatever tedious, but i don't attempt to ascribe their habits to sinister cultural forces or paint them as self-obsessed egotistical narcissists
i find people who spend their days "coding for fun" or whatever tedious, but i don't attempt to ascribe their habits to sinister cultural forces or paint them as self-obsessed egotistical narcissists
> do you perchance enjoy a feeling of superiority when you use the term "sportsball"?
Yes, because I'm a grown man who doesn't feel a deep emotional need to watch a bunch of men wearing spandex running around on some grass.
Playing sports is a really awesome thing, and everyone should do it. Enjoying the occasional game is probably okay. Following sports is IMHO a kind of mentally unhealthy extended adolescence.
> i find people who spend their days "coding for fun" or whatever tedious
I am tedious — but fortunately we live in a world where people with my kind of tedious personality are well-rewarded for our skills. A few centuries ago and no doubt I'd have starved to death.
Yes, because I'm a grown man who doesn't feel a deep emotional need to watch a bunch of men wearing spandex running around on some grass.
Playing sports is a really awesome thing, and everyone should do it. Enjoying the occasional game is probably okay. Following sports is IMHO a kind of mentally unhealthy extended adolescence.
> i find people who spend their days "coding for fun" or whatever tedious
I am tedious — but fortunately we live in a world where people with my kind of tedious personality are well-rewarded for our skills. A few centuries ago and no doubt I'd have starved to death.
As is evidenced by my comments I'm more refined than anybody else around here! Myself included.
>Do you perchance derive a feeling of superiority from your rigorosity?
Guess again, I haven't been to the gym in some time so my ego isn't at stake here. I look down on this article precisely because it couches a malicious attack in pseudo-innocent terms, not because it has anything to do with me.
Guess again, I haven't been to the gym in some time so my ego isn't at stake here. I look down on this article precisely because it couches a malicious attack in pseudo-innocent terms, not because it has anything to do with me.
What is the attack? And what is malicious about it?
Author seems rather self-aware, article is filed under /outbursts/.
If you don't like to exercise just don't do it. You don't need to come up with a cultural conspiracy to feel secure about not liking the gym.
I've run into people like this before who feel personally attacked because they "don't understand" why person likes X. It's always invariably something they think their culture is saying is good so they have to fire preemptive strikes against others (who are just trying to have a good time) for the sake of their own ego. Rather than shitting in other people's cornflakes why not just find something you do enjoy?
I've run into people like this before who feel personally attacked because they "don't understand" why person likes X. It's always invariably something they think their culture is saying is good so they have to fire preemptive strikes against others (who are just trying to have a good time) for the sake of their own ego. Rather than shitting in other people's cornflakes why not just find something you do enjoy?
I've run into people like this before who feel personally attacked because they "don't understand" why person likes X. It's always invariably something they think their culture is saying is good so they have to fire preemptive strikes against others (who are just trying to have a good time) for the sake of their own ego
I’m reminded of the backlash against the “beach body ready” ad.
I’m reminded of the backlash against the “beach body ready” ad.
The article is ranty but I thought she made an interesting point. I'd like to exercise more but fitness fanatics--OK I'll be polite, enthusiasts take it all really, really seriously. The gym is not fun to me, all the structure is not fun, if I say this a lot of fitness enthusiasts will turn up their nose and basically suggest that I'm an inferior life-form who should just MAN UP and do the work(out).
I work enough as it is, can I do a playout instead?
It's like one personality type has a lock on the whole habit. Maybe a more fun approach could draw in other groups of people.
I work enough as it is, can I do a playout instead?
It's like one personality type has a lock on the whole habit. Maybe a more fun approach could draw in other groups of people.
I hope this doesn't come across as dismissive because I am genuinely curious: where are you interacting with these vocal fitness people? Because when I go to the gym I would say 95% of people are in their own world and wearing headphones. I've been going to the gym for 3 years and I don't think I've talked to another person there beyond "are you using this equipment" more than a handful of times.
I think these obnoxious people are experienced outside the gym - there's one or two at your office, one of two in your wife's friends, one of two of your old college friends. When the conversation turns to what's new in their life, or how's their day going, they recount their fitness ordeals.
Also outside of the classic gym - yogies, spinners, crossfitters - tend to be more social and evangelical during and after their workouts.
Also outside of the classic gym - yogies, spinners, crossfitters - tend to be more social and evangelical during and after their workouts.
I think what your describing is gate keeping.
I've noticed this phenomenon as well I refer to it as working out in the prison yard. Everyone looks super serious and can't smile cause I might get shanked.
One suggestion to add on to what the others have said is find maybe a sport like tennis, racquetball, dodge ball, kickball and join a league. You'll meet people who take things seriously and you'll meet people that are having fun, ignore and lose to the serious people and laugh/learn from the having fun types. Find a buddy that has a similar mentality to exercise and go do goofy things in or out of the gym.
Also try a trampoline park(like Get Air). I work out several times a week lift weights, cardio, etc. Nothing was more sweat inducing than taking my kids to a trampoline park for an hour, I needed days to recover from under used muscles I didn't even know I had.
I've noticed this phenomenon as well I refer to it as working out in the prison yard. Everyone looks super serious and can't smile cause I might get shanked.
One suggestion to add on to what the others have said is find maybe a sport like tennis, racquetball, dodge ball, kickball and join a league. You'll meet people who take things seriously and you'll meet people that are having fun, ignore and lose to the serious people and laugh/learn from the having fun types. Find a buddy that has a similar mentality to exercise and go do goofy things in or out of the gym.
Also try a trampoline park(like Get Air). I work out several times a week lift weights, cardio, etc. Nothing was more sweat inducing than taking my kids to a trampoline park for an hour, I needed days to recover from under used muscles I didn't even know I had.
>can I do a playout instead?
Of course. That's why people do activities like hiking, tennis, surfing, basketball, biking, etc. For many people they are just fun activities that also help with fitness.
Of course. That's why people do activities like hiking, tennis, surfing, basketball, biking, etc. For many people they are just fun activities that also help with fitness.
My experience has been that there are many different personalities.
Someone who goes to the gym to set PRs in weight lifting is going to be different than someone going spinning in winter to stay in condition for cycling in summer.
Also, different gyms have different styles. One gym I went to didn't have the largest weights because the owner felt that the people interested in that level of strength training would be better served at a different gym. This was also the gym where one of the members would practice his break dancing moves.
He later sold the gym to a chain, and the personality and member base changed. It went from a place I enjoyed going, with fun dance workouts, to the more "regimented dancelike experience" of licensed choreography, and their own line of exercise clothes and foods. I left that gym.
So, perhaps there's another gym that better fits what you want?
Someone who goes to the gym to set PRs in weight lifting is going to be different than someone going spinning in winter to stay in condition for cycling in summer.
Also, different gyms have different styles. One gym I went to didn't have the largest weights because the owner felt that the people interested in that level of strength training would be better served at a different gym. This was also the gym where one of the members would practice his break dancing moves.
He later sold the gym to a chain, and the personality and member base changed. It went from a place I enjoyed going, with fun dance workouts, to the more "regimented dancelike experience" of licensed choreography, and their own line of exercise clothes and foods. I left that gym.
So, perhaps there's another gym that better fits what you want?
Here's how I see it -- and I don't like gymbros either. I once worked alongside a Crossfitter who worked out at noon, and once he'd changed out of his dirty, sweaty things, hung them over the supports of his desk to air them out, forcing me to lay down a protective barrier of spray Lysol to avoid choking on the fumes. So going to the gym is definitely not a core part of my identity, especially since I don't want to be that guy.
But I still do it. I've been out of it for a couple months and am trying to get back. I have to be somewhat systematic about it for two reasons: a) I have to do the proper lifts with the proper form; b) my body parts get tired and need a couple days' recovery before they're ready to go all out again so I have to do at least a two day split. But yeah, other than that it's just a matter of showing up, and finding and settling into a groove. I gamify it a bit: can I set a PR in squats today? Some days I'm just not feeling it, and I go home telling myself, well, at least you put in the work.
I think there have already been a lot of attempts to make workouts "fun", and the problem really is that the approaches that have worked, i.e, produced good fitness results, turn people into enthusiasts. CrossFit is notorious for being "cult-like" but it has inspired plenty of people -- especially women -- to get into fitness in a really hardcore way.
But I still do it. I've been out of it for a couple months and am trying to get back. I have to be somewhat systematic about it for two reasons: a) I have to do the proper lifts with the proper form; b) my body parts get tired and need a couple days' recovery before they're ready to go all out again so I have to do at least a two day split. But yeah, other than that it's just a matter of showing up, and finding and settling into a groove. I gamify it a bit: can I set a PR in squats today? Some days I'm just not feeling it, and I go home telling myself, well, at least you put in the work.
I think there have already been a lot of attempts to make workouts "fun", and the problem really is that the approaches that have worked, i.e, produced good fitness results, turn people into enthusiasts. CrossFit is notorious for being "cult-like" but it has inspired plenty of people -- especially women -- to get into fitness in a really hardcore way.
As someone who has been working out for the past 30 years, I consider the gym to be a commons. What ruins it for me are people who reenact the tragedy of that commons.
There's the guy who takes three towels and hogs three machines at once and gets all shirty if you ask to use one of them while he's elsewhere. Then there's the Iron Man who leaves at least 300 pounds of weights on a barbell after he's done with his sets. And there are the wolf packs of either women or dudes that alternate on a machine for 45 minutes straight exchanging war stories about WTFEver and not letting anyone work in with them.
I approach the gym like I approach work: as something to be done as quickly and efficiently as possible. One of them benefits my body and the other benefits my wallet. But even then, I genuinely enjoy a good run outside on a beautiful trail in the early evening or morning.
And all that said, I'll take my grim ritual over the sciatica, lack of endurance, and general lack of health I had previously.
There's the guy who takes three towels and hogs three machines at once and gets all shirty if you ask to use one of them while he's elsewhere. Then there's the Iron Man who leaves at least 300 pounds of weights on a barbell after he's done with his sets. And there are the wolf packs of either women or dudes that alternate on a machine for 45 minutes straight exchanging war stories about WTFEver and not letting anyone work in with them.
I approach the gym like I approach work: as something to be done as quickly and efficiently as possible. One of them benefits my body and the other benefits my wallet. But even then, I genuinely enjoy a good run outside on a beautiful trail in the early evening or morning.
And all that said, I'll take my grim ritual over the sciatica, lack of endurance, and general lack of health I had previously.
Your story is a big part of why I invested (Probably $1,000 over 11 years) in some equipment for home. Just the basics. Squat rack, bench (two now), barbell, and weights. I realize this isn't an option for everyone. But, for those who can, and also can't stand people like three towels guy, it's a good alternative.
There already are more fun approaches, and have been for awhile. Do combat sports, Judo, Boxing/Kickboxing and BJJ. Any of those will give you a fantastic workout.
You should try rock climbing gyms. It's a really fun way to workout.
[deleted]
No one forced you to read it.
"Don't like, don't read" and similar statements aren't a counter argument. (I usually do see them on fanfiction websites though)
Criticism of an article is totally valid, there are plenty of frontpage HN posts where people disagree with an author in the comments. And that's good, the author put out this article precisely because they wanted someone to read it and think about it (even if they disagree afterwards) (atleast most proper blog authors and journalists do that for think-pieces and commentaries)
Criticism of an article is totally valid, there are plenty of frontpage HN posts where people disagree with an author in the comments. And that's good, the author put out this article precisely because they wanted someone to read it and think about it (even if they disagree afterwards) (atleast most proper blog authors and journalists do that for think-pieces and commentaries)
"If you don't like to exercise just don't do it. You don't need to come up with a cultural conspiracy to feel secure about not liking the gym."
I agree with you, I was merely replying to absurdity with absurdity.
Parent's criticism challenged the existence of the piece, not the substance.
I agree with you, I was merely replying to absurdity with absurdity.
Parent's criticism challenged the existence of the piece, not the substance.
The substance of the article is so thin it would be hard to criticize it without questioning its existence. I wasn't being facetious, the author seems to really believe that exercising at the gym is a moralizing corporate conspiracy.
Why should anyone take that premise seriously when every school age child knows that humanity has valued athleticism and fitness since at least the time of Ancient Greece?
Why should anyone take that premise seriously when every school age child knows that humanity has valued athleticism and fitness since at least the time of Ancient Greece?
I read it because the title seemed interesting and I was willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt. What does that have to do with my criticism of it?
Also, if you don't want to work out at a traditional style gym and want something more fun, just go do Judo, Boxing/Kickboxing, or BJJ.
> At my zenith, I could draw spectators for my leg presses at 270 pounds
I had to make sure I wasn't mistaken about what a leg press is [1]. 270lbs on leg press doesn't draw spectators anywhere, it's a warm up set for most people. This line throws into question the credibility the rest of the article...
[1] https://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Quadriceps/SL45LegPress
I had to make sure I wasn't mistaken about what a leg press is [1]. 270lbs on leg press doesn't draw spectators anywhere, it's a warm up set for most people. This line throws into question the credibility the rest of the article...
[1] https://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Quadriceps/SL45LegPress
The credibility was already kind of shoddy. Had she tried more than 1 gym, she'd would have found the atmosphere and people can be wildly different.
Plus, Should I not workout, or workout at the gym because the janitor doesn't get health insurance? What was the point of that jab?
The whole article reeked to me of, "I don't understand this, therefore I have disdain for people who do, and they must be X, Y and Z."
I workout at a corporate center's free gym. I do powerlifting. I keep a log of my progress.
I also keep a log of when I do oil changes, and what groceries I need. I don't like to just "guess". That's all that means.
Plus, Should I not workout, or workout at the gym because the janitor doesn't get health insurance? What was the point of that jab?
The whole article reeked to me of, "I don't understand this, therefore I have disdain for people who do, and they must be X, Y and Z."
I workout at a corporate center's free gym. I do powerlifting. I keep a log of my progress.
I also keep a log of when I do oil changes, and what groceries I need. I don't like to just "guess". That's all that means.
Indeed, it sounds like one of the trendy corporate gyms you'd find in the Bay area and other corporate centers. I've been to gyms like that, where grunting while lifting (omg, you're using free weights?!?!) is grounds for a warning, and to other gyms where people bring their own bars and the occasional drop, while met with angry stares and sometimes invective from other gym members, is not cause for immediate termination of their membership.
270 pounds is nothing. I ruined my knees in high school through unsupervised access to the weight room during gym class. After some time, I could press the whole rack on the upper foot platform (old school lever type machine with two sets of foot platforms. That was the equivalent of 950 pounds.
yeah i’d agree but maybe if you’re a tiny woman it could?
Not sure but i know 16 year olds that can do that much
Not sure but i know 16 year olds that can do that much
Yeah, I did 350 at 16, but I’m also a 6’4” dude, not a 70yr old woman so...
Perhaps she's not including the sled? At 105, that'd make it 375.
The number might sound "big" to the uninitiated but due to the mechanics of leg press it's less impressive than being able to get out of bed. There is no way this guy has ever lifted anything.
i can do this as easily for, say, education. you thought it was about people trying to learn stuff, but it's actually about drones doing rote memorization in ivory towers (which the urban poor can ill-afford), all for the benefit of soul-sucking corporations which will use that knowledge to destroy the world, even while the system oppresses those same students through massive loan debt.
or, how about programming? you thought it was about having fun creating stuff that people find useful, but it's actually about pencil-necked dweebs who got abused in high school and are now taking their revenge on the world through will-sapping social networks, even while the government lets them steal your private data consequence-free and lets them get so rich they all buy teslas (which the urban poor can ill-afford)
someone give me a topic, any topic! i can make it so sinister and hateful you'll soon be too afraid/cynical to do anything more than cower in your basement -- which, you thought it was just cowering in your basement, but it's actually about sociopathic loners hiding from the world, probably polishing assault weapons and stockpiling canned goods (which the urban poor can ill-afford) while forgoing their sacred duty to vote, thus allowing republicans and corporations to pillage the world
this really brings home for me why kim stanley robinson avoids writing dystopias.