Just recently, I have seen a few posts and articles being shared around social media stating, Why I don't do (insert fitness trend/sport here). Which inevitably causes a person who is involved in said activity to retaliate and perhaps share another post referencing why they DO that particular activity versus another and so a vicious cycle of fitness bashing begins.</p>
As a trainer, I fully understand that not all fitness trends are created equally. We have seen plenty of fads come and go and some have returned again, but quite a few have stuck around and I don't think they're going way anytime soon. Let's talk about some of the ones people seem to hate on the most:
1. Crossfit. The pink elephant in the room really. If your gym/box has good coaches, you will learn the movement standards before lifting heavy weights and going for maximum exertion. If your box has poor coaching, you won't and you also probably won't be doing Crossfit for very long. I don't agree with going all out, all the time but I do agree that we need to know how far we can push our bodies and a lot of boxes ARE doing it right and focusing on mobility programs, skills, and strength.
2. Zumba. I'll be the first person to say that dancing and coordinated movements are NOT my strong suit, however; how many people do Zumba that would normally do nothing at all? Like it or not, Zumba has gotten more people off the couch and onto the dance floor than any other fitness trend. Sure, you might get over zealous and twist your knee or ankle the wrong way, but you could also do that dancing in your kitchen. From what i've seen, a good Zumba instructor will teach you the moves to ensure you are groovin as safely as possible.
3. Running (marathons and ultra marathons in particular). "Running that far will ruin your knees" said someone's Grandmother. You know what will ruin your knees? Sitting on your butt and gaining weight that your joints can't handle. I know marathoners, fast marathoners, who can train 3 runs a week plus strength and cross training and still qualify for Boston. Once again training smarter, not harder is the way to go. Also, humans were built to run! We evolved to an upright position over thousands of years only to be put back into a hunched over, sitting position by technology. Running makes you stand tall, a glorious life in extension!
4. Bodybuilding/fitness competitors. I've often heard people say things like,' i'd never want to get that big,' Or 'That's disgusting!' Or 'Why would you ever want to parade around stage all tanned up and in a tiny bikini in front of all those people' I've thought the same myself, but I also know the time and discipline required to walk that stage. I have total respect for the figure athlete because they put in the work. Average Jane can run a few times over a few months and probably finish a marathon, it might not be an awesome time, she might walk half of it, but she will get her finishers medal and shirt. Fitness Jane can't just walk on stage after a couple sessions in the gym. There's weights, endless hours of cardio, posing sessions, suit fittings, weights, hair extensions, tanning, weights, and let's not forget practicing walking in those shoes! Everyone in that audience will know if they haven't put in the work.
5. The 'alternative' activities. I didn't want to make this a 432 point article so this section includes, but is not limited to: Pole Dancing, Roller Derby, yoga, obstacle course racing, Femm Sport, mud or colour runs, zombie runs, Barre fitness, I could go on for days. Time and time again I am picking my jaw up off the floor when I see what some ladies can do with a metal pole, you want to talk about core strength? Same goes with Barre, I have some friends who do this and they are absolutely ripped! I wouldn't mess with anyone who does derby, the amount if training and testing they have to go through before they are even allowed to participate in a bout (roller derby game) is intense! Yoga has been around for centuries, I don't even know why anyone would bash yoga. It's yoga! Any of the themed runs can be classified in the fun category, why wouldn't you want to race through river valley trails being chased by people dressed up as zombies trying to steal your life ribbons?
So no matter what you love to do, or how you want to challenge your body, it's all good. As long as you're doing something that gets you off the couch and gets your blood pumping. We as athletes and trainers should be celebrating ALL kinds of fitness. Because fitness is awesome!
