What is the obsession with going to the gym and being fit all of a sudden?

Question

It seems to me that in this day and age everyone is so obsessed with getting that "summer body" or that "perfect body" or just getting fit. Is the media partly the reason why people are so obsessed with working out?

 

PS: I used to go to the gym for 2 years but then after a while I got bored of the same routine and plus it's bloody expensive!

Theguyoverthere · Accepted Answer

I don't see an "obsession" anywhere. If anything, not enough people are working out. There's those few who are obsessed and I may be considered a borderline one but even then, it's nowhere near as bad as some people. I'd say when the drugs start to get involved it gets too far to the unhealthy point.

With the amount of fast food joints popping up left and right we now have a generation of obsessed video gamers who are not going out and doing anything physically demanding. Kids will "hang out" with a few friends here and there and that's it. They won't go running or weight lifting or play sports or anything. Phys ed classes are even letting kids just "walk" for their sessions and not play a sport.

The other issue is that many of the people who do go to the gym expect results too fast instead of working on getting better at the exercises they're doing. They find these bullshit "6 pack abs in 5 minutes" programs and expect them to work yet don't have enough common sense to realize their abs are covered by a layer of fat. They then quit. I dread each new years because it means 2-3 months of overcrowded kids who take up space in the gym and then quit. They'll do exercises incorrectly for a month or two, claim everyone's on drugs, and quit when they don't get results. They're afraid to put themselves through the challenging workouts and cheat all their sets and quit.

While this sounds condescending this is what goes on. As a gym goer myself I've seen the trends. I started going to the gym out of pure boredom and it grew on me once I saw what it felt like to actually have stamina without relying on all these caffeine drinks people use just to get through the day. I used to use those energy drinks and it gave me prostate inflammation and I had to get probed in the asshole. It hurt like hell and I almost passed out.

evenlift · Accepted Answer

I think we people who go to the gym like talking about it a lot! I don't think there's a widespread obsession with it.

Apparently, for example in America, only 15% of people have gym memberships, and only half of those people actually use it: www.nytimes.com/.../27SKIN.html?pagewanted=1 So it's a pretty small minority.

But, perhaps, it's a bigger proportion among young people.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Honestly, I find it really annoying when all of a sudden girls want to exercise and eat healthy and they only do it for like a week, seriously? Being healthy is a lifestyle not a seasonal thing, when you only do it because its summer and you want to look good. Yes, I think media plays a part of it because you see in magazines, tv, and internet all these skinny girls in bikinis and a lot of girls want that? Why? Why not just aim to be healthy all year long? I don't know I just find it really annoying when they don't follow through.

Harvy9 · Accepted Answer

Its not the persons fault at all, its crazy people around us that go for all the skinny people making the chubby people be like oh my gawd I've got so many gregg rolls but little do they know that bread rolls are so YUM!

meatballs21 · Answer

Being fit and healthy beats being obese. Plus:

Camallunt · Answer

Statistics suggest this obsession isn't popular enough. The reason girls might talk about fit guys is as they are extra special as less people are in shape. The media has helped increase the amount of people working out but it's only on small scale. Being in shape is nothing new and it always comes in waves.

Surely a nation of buff people, a Sparta if you imagine, is not a terrible obsession to have as long as it isn't interfering with other parts of life.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm sorry, but in the usa the obesity levels are too high... I hope the fitness crazy keeps up, but i do see what you are saying. The media is behind this, we've go things like instagram and food corporations that have successfully brought down the life expectancy. Not to mention all of the health scares and magic cures online these days. People are going to be vain one way or another, they may as well improve their quality of life as well.

Tokana · Answer

What? I'm thinking the exact opposite, the developed world is getting in worse shape not in better shape. I love working out cause it gives me a nice dopamine boost, increases confidence, and increases the likelihood of finding a mate. I love fit women, fit people and talking about fitness. Its a healthy hobby that has loads of benefits that I will not be going into right now.

Heathrowguy · Answer

I don't go to the gym. Just do an hour of exercise on my upper body with 10kg weights... with music on.
Just too many distractions in the gym & I'm shy... feel uncomfortable sweating & sometimes you get the posers. They put me off :))

Izzex3 · Answer

In ancient Greece they used to hit the gym all the time c (=
I don't think the whole getting fit thing is new. At least here it isn't.
Eating healthy and staying active has always been encouraged where I live.

knotme · Answer

No the media is not the culprit. I would say people want to live all along as possible and taking care of your body is a major starting point.

Klaatu51 · Answer

medi brainwashes people to do... i've said that many times here

SatanClaus · Answer

Its a personal choice really, i go cuz i like to be fit, build muscle and umm chicks dig it.. haha;)

Athleticbroo · Answer

Because MISC O. P .. you aren't allowed on there if you dont lift.

Jadekitten · Answer

Because being fit and healthy feels really good

MyCatHatesMee · Answer

I think it's good. More fit people, the better!

bubbletrouble · Answer

Well, that's good. Most Americans are obese.

What is the obsession with going to the gym and being fit all of a sudden?

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