That picture doesn't look fit to me. It looks like the results of the kind of eating disorder that puts people in the hospital. My response, upon seeing it, wasn't envy, it was horror. This is not something we should be promoting.
Bumcrack-centric is spot on! I think that picture doesn't do the best job of advertising Gymshark as the shorts don't even fit her. I also have a body of a naturally similar shape so actually think it's not AI. As I tuck into my fourth piece of toast this morning I doubt I'll ever attain her condition! (Nor would I really want to)
A very old-school fitness trainer here, and you are spot on.
In 2010 there already was almost no space for recreational exercisers and almost no offers for intermediate level. Whoever came either dropped out, or got into the sport almost fully. Not much changed since.
And there IS professional deformation. Lots of trainers I’ve met just assume their clients have culinary chops of French chefs and then blame pizza deliveries on willpower.
The first question is why someone else’s body (of any proportion) causes such a stir in general.
Someone else’s body does not pose a threat. Soft or ripped or anything in between, it’s not contagious.
Michael Phelps eats LOTS of food, yet we understand that it’s his job and of course we can’t eat this much. It’s not considered a bad influence, even if ANY professional sport is not kind to health.
The second question is why use professionals to inspire exercisers? It's like putting a super light weight amateur boxer against Mike Tyson.
Unattainable is a very poor inspiration.
Third question is not a question. We need more impact bra sizes in varied constructions.
Honestly your writing is so refreshingly honest and balanced. In a world full of goons that either take themselves too seriously or have never heard of the word nuance, these articles are exactly what folk need to hear. Also bumcrack-centric - 10/10 for accuracy!
I've been thinking a lot about 'bodies' lately and will come back to this post when I write my own on the subject. I totally agree with the video you shared - just EXISTING in a women's gym changing room was wonderful for feeling comfortable in my body. It was the This Girl Can 'sweating like a pig, feeling like a fox' ad campaign that really helped me start feeling good about moving my body.
I also agree with Nancy's comment below - that picture does not fill me with envy, personally. (It probably doesn't help that I've literally JUST read an essay elsewhere on Substack about Sabrina Carpenter's 'cute and short' persona and the re-pornification of childhood imagery...). And yes, Gymshark is 'bumcrack centric' - as is Tala. I see people wearing their gym clothes but when I go online to look at them all the promo is so sex-forward that I just... no thank you.
That picture doesn't look fit to me. It looks like the results of the kind of eating disorder that puts people in the hospital. My response, upon seeing it, wasn't envy, it was horror. This is not something we should be promoting.
Bumcrack-centric is spot on! I think that picture doesn't do the best job of advertising Gymshark as the shorts don't even fit her. I also have a body of a naturally similar shape so actually think it's not AI. As I tuck into my fourth piece of toast this morning I doubt I'll ever attain her condition! (Nor would I really want to)
A very old-school fitness trainer here, and you are spot on.
In 2010 there already was almost no space for recreational exercisers and almost no offers for intermediate level. Whoever came either dropped out, or got into the sport almost fully. Not much changed since.
And there IS professional deformation. Lots of trainers I’ve met just assume their clients have culinary chops of French chefs and then blame pizza deliveries on willpower.
The first question is why someone else’s body (of any proportion) causes such a stir in general.
Someone else’s body does not pose a threat. Soft or ripped or anything in between, it’s not contagious.
Michael Phelps eats LOTS of food, yet we understand that it’s his job and of course we can’t eat this much. It’s not considered a bad influence, even if ANY professional sport is not kind to health.
The second question is why use professionals to inspire exercisers? It's like putting a super light weight amateur boxer against Mike Tyson.
Unattainable is a very poor inspiration.
Third question is not a question. We need more impact bra sizes in varied constructions.
Honestly your writing is so refreshingly honest and balanced. In a world full of goons that either take themselves too seriously or have never heard of the word nuance, these articles are exactly what folk need to hear. Also bumcrack-centric - 10/10 for accuracy!
I've been thinking a lot about 'bodies' lately and will come back to this post when I write my own on the subject. I totally agree with the video you shared - just EXISTING in a women's gym changing room was wonderful for feeling comfortable in my body. It was the This Girl Can 'sweating like a pig, feeling like a fox' ad campaign that really helped me start feeling good about moving my body.
I also agree with Nancy's comment below - that picture does not fill me with envy, personally. (It probably doesn't help that I've literally JUST read an essay elsewhere on Substack about Sabrina Carpenter's 'cute and short' persona and the re-pornification of childhood imagery...). And yes, Gymshark is 'bumcrack centric' - as is Tala. I see people wearing their gym clothes but when I go online to look at them all the promo is so sex-forward that I just... no thank you.
Also - what a great route for a 10k!