The Privilege of Push-Ups? Exploring the Ethics of Fitness in an Unequal World
I had an interesting exchange this weekend involving the intersection of health, social justice, and privilege. This is a tricky area to write about, as it involves so many societal forces that are almost beyond comprehension. But I feel compelled to share a few thoughts, at least to try and process my feelings about it.
The Privilege of Fitness?
I won't get into the details, but in this exchange, the person took issue with fitness as a worthwhile endeavor. Their argument was on the grounds that only the most privileged in society even get to think about these things.
On one hand, they are correct. The number one predictor of health outcomes in America is money. That's completely unfair and should not be the case. But I really can't understand how that should be a factor in whether I decide to maintain the highest level of strength and cardiovascular fitness that I can make time for.
Wokeness or Insecurity?
The argument was frankly a little bit annoying. I've never really seen the issues of "virtue signaling" that so many people on the right complain about. I think it does matter to acknowledge the contexts we are born into and the historical injustices that have brought us to where we are today. But this exchange truly felt more like an attempt at competing in wokeness to cover up personal insecurity or frustration.
In this person, I see first a sense of futility. You can put so much effort into your diet and exercise routine, and still end up dying of cancer or in a car accident. There are no sure things in this life, and with the wrong motivation, it can be hard to see the point of putting so much energy into investing in yourself.
Personal Responsibility and Family
I still have a personal responsibility to be here for my kids and for myself, for as long as I can. My life may very well be cut short, but I still want them to know that I did all that I could to be there for them. I want to set a good example and be a model. It's frankly just a lot of work to be a human in a body, and I don't want them to have to figure out the operating manual on their own.
The Value of Fitness Beyond Longevity
But putting all that aside, about whether we can truly impact our healthspan and lifespan. Put social justice issues aside, about whether it's fair that I get to think about gains in the gym when there are impoverished single mothers struggling to keep their children housed. A quote I keep coming back to is "I don't just run to add days to my life, I run to add life to my days." The daily struggle in moving, feeding, and maintaining the body is part of what makes up a life. And while I wish everyone could have the privilege to be equally concerned about this, I have to think my efforts here still matter.
What do you think? Have I missed the point? Is there more to discuss here? Find me on Threads to continue the discussion.