This Year, Let’s Approach Fitness Differently

In 2023, we’re challenging the conventional wisdom surrounding fitness and striving for a singular, straightforward goal: feeling good. Much of what we’ve been taught about exercise is steeped in diet culture and focused on achieving specific body aesthetics. Treadmills and ellipticals emphasize calorie counts, and barre classes often prioritize slimness over actual strength gains. The pursuit of exercise streaks can sometimes lead to injury. Despite scientific evidence showing that working out isn’t an effective weight-loss method, every January brings the pressure to make a diet and exercise plan for shedding pounds.

Even when weight loss is set aside, an interesting fixation on controlling and optimizing our bodies through exercise persists. Trampoline classes promise to “bounce your way to better health,” while articles suggest emulating an astronaut’s workout routine because sitting for long hours is similar to floating in space physiologically. Studies link exercise intensity to memory, immunity, and even the effectiveness of pickleball as a workout.

This perspective on exercise aligns with the concept of “healthism,” which places responsibility for our health solely on individual choices such as self-care, healthy eating, and physical activity. While these practices can be beneficial, they also burden individuals with excessive expectations and can backfire. The influx of information on exercise leaves us grappling with contradictory advice and an overwhelming number of studies and fitness trackers. Movement has become a pill to optimize and measure, as if there’s an ideal “dose” we should be striving for.

Within the health media, there exists a cycle of flawed information, followed by debunking, and then the debunked information resurfacing. For instance, the popularized notion of walking 10,000 steps a day originated as a marketing gimmick, yet it continues to be debated, with suggestions ranging from 10,000 to 7,000 steps. It’s challenging to keep up with ever-changing information and sift through the noise of questionable science.

Amidst the complexity, we tend to overlook the fact that we have a solid understanding of the fundamental principles of exercise, similar to our understanding of good nutrition. We all know we should move and be active, but the challenge lies in finding enjoyable and sustainable ways to incorporate movement into our lives. The complications arise when exercise is viewed as a means to achieve countless other goals, such as a better body, improved brain function, or longer life. We want to simplify the exercise narrative, utilizing science and technology as tools that genuinely aid rather than confuse.

Ultimately, we should remember that the true essence of exercise lies in its ability to make us feel good. It can be fun and uplifting, even if specific activities may not always bring instant joy. The overall benefit of exercise isn’t solely about physical transformation or achieving peak performance; it’s about enhancing our well-being. Rather than relying on metrics, measurements, or societal expectations, exercise should be a personal journey towards feeling better, without the need for external validation.

In Slate this year, we aim to move beyond the repetitive exercise news cycle and accompanying debunking culture. We want to explore fitness from a different perspective, stepping back to examine the role of movement in our lives beyond health outcomes. We’ll analyze studies, scrutinize business models that shape our exercise perceptions, and stretch our boundaries—both figuratively and literally. But above all, we’ll seek to answer a fundamental question: What aspects of movement in 2023 genuinely enhance our lives, irrespective of weight, length, or health? Let’s prioritize feeling good.