When Gym Instructors Talk“Yesterday, I told my class to stick out your tongues.”
“That’s nothing. Today, I told my class to only wear one shoe.”
“That’s nothing. Today, I told my class to only wear one shoe.”
I once moved to an apartment complex in Arlington, Virginia, that was adjacent to a trail. I began jogging along the trail. It seemed perfect. The trail’s dirt surface was covered by a finely ground gravel. I liked the shock absorption. The trail itself meandered along stream beds, through woodlands, and past rocky outcrops, which provided variety, shade and greenery amidst an urban setting. Several years later, I read that the trail had to be dug up and reconstructed because the top layer consisted of rocks that were replete with asbestos. I wonder whether my jogging was a matter of bad timing. I believe that my overall health improved from that effort. No bad effects noticed yet. So, why exercise?
Fear - We want to avoid serious health issues. We want to live forever. Guilt – We are told we need to do something about our weight, circulatory system, and muscle tone. Someone told us that we owe it to our family to stay in shape. Companionship – We want to participate in athletic activities with others. Ego – We want to be attractive to others. We feel better about ourselves. We feel superior to those “non-exercisers.” Ease – we are nudged by someone so it is easier to agree to exercise than resist. Pleasure – We enjoy particular exercises and like the feeling that comes with the actual activity.
Is there an ethical aspect in addition to the personal benefits that may accrue from exercising? Certainly, we put less stress on our personal finances and the overall health system when we take care of our bodies. Because we are in better shape, we are more able to assist others. Plus, we are less dependent on others. Think about the difference between a vital, elderly person who can navigate on his or her own as compared with an elderly person who has succumbed to illnesses that were avoidable through care for their physical well-being. I am aware that some fitness buffs may overdo it and adversely affect their health. I suspect compulsive behavior is yet another illness rather than an excuse to avoid exercise.
Where to start? A friend is continuing her walking regimen with some neighbors. Another will be walking with a walkman type device to listen to books and music. Another joined a gym. Yet another takes yoga classes. I am now spending about an hour every other day working out at a local gym. If the strongest force in the universe is the power of habit, then getting into shape requires a first step against inertia.
Fear - We want to avoid serious health issues. We want to live forever. Guilt – We are told we need to do something about our weight, circulatory system, and muscle tone. Someone told us that we owe it to our family to stay in shape. Companionship – We want to participate in athletic activities with others. Ego – We want to be attractive to others. We feel better about ourselves. We feel superior to those “non-exercisers.” Ease – we are nudged by someone so it is easier to agree to exercise than resist. Pleasure – We enjoy particular exercises and like the feeling that comes with the actual activity.
Is there an ethical aspect in addition to the personal benefits that may accrue from exercising? Certainly, we put less stress on our personal finances and the overall health system when we take care of our bodies. Because we are in better shape, we are more able to assist others. Plus, we are less dependent on others. Think about the difference between a vital, elderly person who can navigate on his or her own as compared with an elderly person who has succumbed to illnesses that were avoidable through care for their physical well-being. I am aware that some fitness buffs may overdo it and adversely affect their health. I suspect compulsive behavior is yet another illness rather than an excuse to avoid exercise.
Where to start? A friend is continuing her walking regimen with some neighbors. Another will be walking with a walkman type device to listen to books and music. Another joined a gym. Yet another takes yoga classes. I am now spending about an hour every other day working out at a local gym. If the strongest force in the universe is the power of habit, then getting into shape requires a first step against inertia.
Marv
Northern Virginia Ethical Society Member
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