Cause and Effect of the Fitness Movement In our ever-changing society, the one common thread that now every American seems to possess is a desire to have a body that is not hour-glass (1950’s) nor waifish (1990’s), but one that is lean, trim, and can physically go the “extra mile”. I speculate that the all-around athletic look is so popular because it is probably one of the hardest body types to achieve. In earlier times, hour-glass figures were the product of genetics and corsets, and the emaciated Kate Moss look could simply be achieved by starvation. To be physically fit inside and out is something that every person can control and achieve, but only through strong self-discipline. “The $52.9 billion fitness industry is constantly coming out with activities and products designed to get and keep us interested in working out” (Whigham-Desir 84). Two of these types of work-outs, specifically Tae-Bo and Spinning, were created just for the purpose of keeping “us” interested in working out. Despite this revolution in the fitness industry, many false preconceived notions about losing weight persevere and impede the movement. As the media bombard the American public with unrealistic images, a new obsession with fitness has hit the markets. With more and more people aiming to lose weight, the fitness industry has been pressured to accommodate the high demands for efficient and entertaining workouts. This greater variety of work-outs hitting the market is a result of the diverse types of people who are trying to get in shape. Health clubs are no longer only for those 20-30 year olds who are in competitive training or those who need to be fit as a job requirement. Instead, these facilities are now packed with people of... ... middle of paper ... ... because people eyeing a certain place on their body that they consider hard to get rid of--say the “love handles” --exercise without seeing this area diminish in size. They don’t realize that in order to lose fat in that area, they have to lose it everywhere else first. Misconceptions such as these lead to the disheartenment of many trial gym-goers, creating an even larger gap between those who are in shape and those who aren’t. All in all, the rise of the fitness industry has impacted almost everyone in America, whether it means being more health conscious, body conscious, or fitness-a-phobic. This new fitness movement, if it continues growing at the rate it has been, will keep coming out with innovative ways to motivate the unmotivated into leading more active lifestyles. Ultimately this will lead to an American public that enjoys longer, healthier lives.
After reading this paper, there should be a better understanding of how the media incorrectly portrays these ideas. First, I’m going to focus on how the media destroys people motivation by displaying misleading photos in their advertisements. Most gyms, workout facilities, and athletic wear clothing get models that are very physically fit to advertise their company in their commercials, which is understandable because you do want the best to advertise your product. But when using people that look like they have been in the gym working out for over ten years, it can be very discouraging to the person that is just trying to start working out. And even more discouraging, most gyms will use models that use supplements that help improve their body size and strength.
Entertainment has been an established part of the American culture almost since its founding. The types of entertainment that most Americans enjoy in today's world are going to the movies, going out to eat, and exercising. Different forms of exercise vary from running and playing sports to weight lifting. Those who enjoy weight lifting can choose to do so in the privacy of their home, in a community center like the YMCA, or in a health club. At a health club one can expect to find a wide variety of people; however, some of these people add to the downside of working out at a local health club because they can be annoying and obnoxious. Three types of these annoying, obnoxious people found at the weight room of a local health club are the show-off, the know-it-all, and the wanderer; these types can be identified by their physical appearance, their social behavior, and their attitude.
People often go through their life working-out and going to the gym to get “buff.” For ninety-five percent of Americans that do work out, few can say that they have pushed themselves as hard as possible, but I have the distinct, and often painful, pleasure of knowing that there is another way to work out. This option is unlike any other that I have ever personally been through; and is a way that I would not wish on any average American. 4:55 a.m. Seventeen degrees Fahrenheit, a mild breeze of ten miles per-hour-- for the fifth day in a row and second consecutive month, it is time for me to wake up, make the face-numbing, core-hardening walk through the snow to the Mildred and Louis Lasch Football Building.
Routine physical activity may be difficult for those with low income to achieve. Firstly, people who have low income generally must work longer and laborious hours than people in the high and middle income rankings in order to have enough money to get by. Low-class Americans simply do not have the time or energy to exercise their bodies. Also, an individual’s economic status can be the cause for several obstacles of achieving physical fitness. For instance, the lack of transportation to and from the gym could be a major problem, as well as being able to pay gym membership fees or gym equipment. It is further explained, “A lack of good transportation choices is the most important single issue that limits routine activities such as walking, biking, and transit use by low income people.” (Squibb 2) Poor economy is only one of the ways low-income individuals are limited to physical fitness.
As previously stated, these consumers are involved in some sort of physical activity, and this is a trend that has grown in the past few decades. The trend of participating in physical activities will continue to see growth due to lifestyle changes of the consumers. Since, people are noticing a change in the human life capacity,
The Health and fitness industry have many ethical issues involved which was very interesting to me. I have never purchased a membership at a health club, but from the reading I learned a lot about how they operate. It amazed me that health clubs push their sales representatives to get 200-300 new members a month (Amend, 1992). This is a large amount of people for such a short amount a time, which means some members are not fully aware of the fine print of the membership agreement. Also the reading mentions that more than half of instructors at these clubs do not have valid certification (Copeland et al, 1988),. This is unethical because the members pay each month for the service of a qualified staff member to assist them in exercise and fitness. Safety of the members could also be at risk working out with a non-qualified trainer. Learning how these companies do business make me want to hold off as long as possible to join a gym.
American Fitness Magazine. (2004, September/October). Out of Control. Retrieved February 10, 2005, from EBSCOhost database. [Journal article]
Human development has drastically changed within the exercise and fitness industry since the 1940’s. This industry is now one of the largest, most studied, and sought out aspects of human life. Many people depend on exercise to sustain their health and change their bodies both physically and mentally. Specifically, many look to change their body composition, meaning how much muscular lean tissue and fat they have (Zanker, Cathy, and Louise). In many circumstances, such changes to one’s body are heavily scrutinized and evaluated against social norms (O’Donnell). Exercise to improve body composition can be done using two different methods, anaerobic and aerobic exercise. In regards to improving body composition, anaerobic exercise's effects are
Troxler, Howard. ?Much Mind Exercise and Too Little Physical Education Cause Flab.? The Times. October 2013.
With America’s obesity rate on the rise a CrossFit gym that welcomes beginners, thoroughly teaches and explains each exercise and can offer a group atmosphere that’s welcoming to individuals who have never worked out before could help decrease the obesity rate. The group aspect of CrossFit is beneficial because it’s a motivator to keep attending workouts and to reach the goals you have personally set. Attending a CrossFit gym could also be a motivator because not only is the coach pushing them to get through the workout but the other members of the class are pushing each
For this assignment, I decided to observe a fitness center (gym) setting and break the “workout equipment is not a toy” norm. I conducted my observations at my local Anytime Fitness center that I actually frequent. Ironically, I missed my normal workout time that morning and decided to go later in the day. This worked out perfect for the observation because I arrived at around 5:00 pm, the busiest time for the establishment.
By taking a stand against the rise of obesity, America’s bodies will be in healthy condition, and are able to be the positive motivation for others to follow. Once more people choose to live a happy and healthful life, the decrease of obesity will begin to show. The solution to solving the issue of obesity in America can be possible by: eating healthier foods, getting proper exercise, and setting boundaries on what fast-food industries can sell to customers. People need to get up and get moving for the problem of obesity and its trail of nasty effects will consume the healthy way of life everyone knows today.
Many studies have come to the conclusion that individuals who participate in health and wellness routines as well as a regular exercise program have a relatively increased degree of energy, lower healthcare bills, much better quality of life along with less stress, as well as improved health. Staying in good physical shape and healthy calls for everyone, to be conscious of their health, to be aware of the key fitness and health components and to follow them.
America’s obesity has raised greatly over time. This is because people over eating and don’t know how to exercise. Cogan and Ernsberger state that, “As much as 40 percent to 70 percent of the U.S. population is trying to lose weight, at any given time, youn...
Exercising is a popular activity for people around the world, but many people exercise indoors when they should be going outdoors for added benefits. Exercising outdoors can make people more committed to a workout program than an indoor workout plan, and their motivation levels increase (Lacharite-Lemieux, Brunelle, & Dionne, 2015). Working out outdoors will improve a person’s overall psychological (mental) health, more so than normally exercising, which already has psychological and physiological benefits (Hug, Hartig, Hansmann, Seeland, & Hornung, 2009). Obesity rates in America are high and getting people to stick to an exercise program would help fight unhealthy obesity (Gladwell, Brown, Wood, Sandercock, & Barton, 2013). Finally, if a