Earlier comments are already critiquing the author for suggesting that exercise is a bad thing or that particular exercises don't work, but that perspective misses the point. The author isn't criticizing exercise itself, but she is instead observing the almost religious focus on suffering that happens to be embodied by approaches such as Crossfit. I admit to being puzzled as well.
I am perplexed by the degree of what I might call fitness elitism that exists in a nation as fundamentally unfit as the US (I'm American, BTW). I'm seeing a lot of comments about how simple exercise isn't effective and HIT is a necessity, etc. HIT is great, but it's a pretense to suggest that running, biking, or aerobics that raise your heart rate without being tortuous are not also effective exercises that can drastically improve one's health. I feel that there is an unnecessary focus on very intense exercise programs when simple cardiovascular conditioning that nearly anyone can do has the potential to drastically improve the health of so many.
Also pain and pleasure have been human experiences correlated since forever[1]. Just because the author has had a certain upbringing doesn't mean that she is the voice of the reason.
Even leaving neurochemical pathways aside, our culture is like that in many aspects. I mean even selflessness is the way many people understand being a good person, doing something good that feels bad is supposed to be better than doing something good that also feels good. I don't agree with that view, but it's pretty much ingrained with out western culture.
I am not a proponent of Extreme fitness but HIIT is several times more effective then plain running or biking or other activities when you compare it with the time you give.
Maybe the root cause (of interest in HIIT) is the standard American hurry. If we all slowed down we'd probably be more healthy as a people.
Also, there's a difference (and some overlap) between being healthy, and looking ripped. Eg you can be one without the other. One of the reasons I enjoy visiting countries that don't view a rushed and punishing car-commute as normal, is that everyone looks so happy and healthy.
> Maybe the root cause (of interest in HIIT) is the standard American hurry.
I agree, I think that's the root cause. There are more things we'd like to do than time available, so people optimize.
> If we all slowed down we'd probably be more healthy as a people.
Probably true, but unfortunately we don't have much choice. We slave away most of our lives to keep the economy going, so it's hard to slow down. The problem isn't people having too much time for their hobbies.
I think the purpose of crossfit is to get a full body workout that you don't get with running or biking. A lot of the motivation behind exercise is as much about looking good as it is being healthy.
I am perplexed by the degree of what I might call fitness elitism that exists in a nation as fundamentally unfit as the US (I'm American, BTW). I'm seeing a lot of comments about how simple exercise isn't effective and HIT is a necessity, etc. HIT is great, but it's a pretense to suggest that running, biking, or aerobics that raise your heart rate without being tortuous are not also effective exercises that can drastically improve one's health. I feel that there is an unnecessary focus on very intense exercise programs when simple cardiovascular conditioning that nearly anyone can do has the potential to drastically improve the health of so many.