Because what is thin, anyway?

I’m really bothered by workouts that are promoted solely for aesthetic reasons.

“Get a six pack in six weeks!” “The slim sexy legs workout!” “Sculpt sexy tank top shoulders!”

I really just feel like that promotes the idea that working out is all about what you look like, and the only true results are visible ones. What about trying to build a stronger core? More powerful legs? Stronger shoulders? By assuming that the masses don’t care about that, we’re creating a catch 22. That’s all anyone talks about so that’s all anyone thinks matters so that’s all anyone talks about.

As an athlete, strength and speed come first, and any aesthetic results are simply a nice little bonus. However, I recognize that not everyone is an athlete, so many people feel that they don’t “need” strength or speed and aesthetics become the primary motivator for exercise.

I’m calling BS there. Everyone needs strength. Strength is functional. Endurance is functional. I have family members that aren’t in good enough shape to hike the top of the hill on my property. Being in shape would allow them to do that. I need strength when I babysit my 1 year old cousin. Sometimes he doesn’t want to be put down for hours, and it takes strength to lug around 30 pounds of child for an extended period. Strength allows you to carry all of your groceries inside in one trip. Endurance allows you to bike to work and save the emissions caused by driving.

Strength improves your life. Is it nice to look good? Yeah! I love the way I look from being in shape. But even more than that I love the quality of life it allows me. I love being able to raft for 5 hours and not be sore the next day. I love being able to carry kids around. I love feeling strong, and I’m sick of seeing magazines and blogs and websites ignore the fact that gaining strength is what exercise is truly about.

♥ Jul 22nd at 12PM / tagged: exercise. / reblog / 162 notes