Exercise in Modern Society
by Lisa Gartland
posted April 30, 2009

Exercise used to happen naturally, in the need to hunt, farm and provide shelter & warmth. But with mass farming & production, automobiles, and electronic appliances, life is now relatively effortless. Many people also have office jobs, where a workout is walking to the vending machine for M&M’s.

Exercise has become something we need to deliberately add back into our lives.

These societal changes happened quickly, and attitudes about exercise show a bit of a puritanical divide. Without a stack of chopped wood to show for it, exercise can seem pointless. Lots of people love gyms - with their equipment, instructors, classes and community. Yet others scorn their artificiality - especially if we drive there, work out in air conditioning, and use machines run by electricity.

Workouts can also help us meet other, very human needs. Should your exercise be solo or communal? Connect you with - or protect you from - your environment? Should it be purposeful?

Community: Do you enjoy interacting with others when you exercise? For the most privacy, you can workout to videos or set up a home gym. Solo runs or rides give you time to yourself. Individual sports provide competition. Team sports are competitive and collaborative. Exercise classes can be communal without much commitment, and group hiking can build lasting friendships. A love of animals may lead you to dog walking or horseback riding.

Environment: What kind of surroundings do you prefer while exercising? Some people love the outdoors, where they can experience all the changes in seasons and weather. Hikes or outdoor boot camp or tai chi classes can be very fulfilling. Others prefer a protected environment, but enjoy light & views. A gym with windows, a heated outdoor pool, or a covered area in a local park might work well. You may be perfectly happy indoors, warm & dry in winter, and cool & comfortable in summer, playing racquetball or taking exercise classes.

Purpose: Should exercise serve your daily needs? Perhaps you can bike to work, walk to the store, or dig in the garden. Do you like to log miles, go faster, or get stronger? Running, biking or weight lifting can give you measurable goals. Would you like to master new skills? Lessons for a particular sport or dance style may be fulfilling. Do you want an efficient workout that will keep you healthy without harm? Taking classes or working out on your own in the gym will probalby suite your needs.

Understanding your own attitude towards exercise, and thinking about what other needs it can meet, can help you find workouts that are most rewarding for you!

Lisa Gartland is the owner of Inside Outside Fitness, a friendly, neighborhood gym at 4444 Piedmont Avenue in North Oakland, (510) 655-8308, www.insideoutsidefitness.com.

This article was also printed in the Piedmont Post.

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