When it comes to working out, I’ve always been a “to each their own” kind of gal. How you choose to move – whether it’s in leather pants (To Lenny Kravitz) or a denim dress (Like Taylor Swift) – It’s entirely up to you. Still, the internet continues to find new ways to criticize how people exercise. The Latest Brunt of the Joke: Middle-Aged Female Workouts.
Tiktokers capture these women doing a variety of non-traditional workouts (think: cardio drum, trampolining, air bungeeor train in moon boots). The videos then poke fun at these women, because “do anything other than a normal workout“”do something not to lift weights“”do three sets of tomfoolery“etc.
Bungee workouts in particular were mocked in one Latest SNL sketch. “My body doesn’t feel a thing,” “That woman is literally asleep,” and “is this going to be hard?” were all comments by the cast members, while Timothée Chalamet’s character, the instructor, flailed around applauding them for burning a total of 5 collective calories.
Unfortunately, shaming middle-aged women, or shaming people for how they choose to move their bodies, is nothing new. But what these shamers ignore is the fact that these workouts have benefits, some that go far beyond the traditional definition of fitness.
Christopher GagliardiACE-certified personal trainer and health coach, shares that the American Council on Exercise has done research that supports some of these workouts as effective forms of exercise. Cardio drumming has been shown to be effective In terms of enjoyment, caloric expenditure and producing an elevated heart rate for cardiorespiratory benefits. Trampoline training Offer the same energy consumption as running 6 miles per hour on flat ground or cycling at 14 miles per hourat a much lower impact.
“Although we haven’t studied all of these methods, as long as the training method is safe, do it some Physical activity is always better than doing none, says Gurgliardi. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Recommend that adults perform 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, or 75-150 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week (or an equivalent combination of both each week). If you can achieve these target levels of intensity from a workout, you can get health benefits from it, says Gagliardi, no matter how “silly” it may look or feel. As one rule of thumba person doing moderate-intensity aerobic activity may talk, but not sing, during the activity. A person who does strong intensity Can’t say more than a few words without pausing for breath.
Ultimately, these “middle-aged workouts” have traditional cardiovascular benefits and are nothing to joke about. But they also do much more than meet physical activity guidelines. The reasons why we exercise are very personaland unique to each person, says Gagliardi. “For some people, the health benefits may be most important; for others, it may be weight maintenance; and for others, it may be social connection. The outcomes you should strive for are those that are personally meaningful to you and that align with your values.”
Critics of these workouts ignore the fact that not everyone has the same fitness goals. Many of the critics center around the idea that “middle-aged women will do anything to avoid lifting a weight.” While Strength training has proven benefitsIt’s not a one-size-fits-all workout, and as Gagliardi and science will tell you, any movement is better than no movement. Plus, group fitness classes like these can not only perform the same benefits as working out solo, but can also offer the added benefit of social connection, says Gagliardi. Group fitness has been shown to influence Perceptions of effort, recalled enjoyment and pleasure, and feelings of “groupness,” all of which can influence how long someone sticks with the exercise.
Women tend, on average, to exercise less than men; But interestingly, they can see better results from the same amount of exercise. That’s why it’s so important to get this group in the gym, however they choose to do it. For these women, the community and fun of these workouts may mean more than the physical results; But at the end of the day, their motives are none of our business, nor anyone else’s on the internet. They exercise and they have a good time doing it. What more could you ask for?
Thankfully, these online workouts have defenders in addition to haters: Tommy Martin, MDhave commented on the unfair, unkind and unnecessary criticism of these workouts. “Everyone’s version of exercise is different,” he says in his response video. “We’re all at different fitness levels … for (some people), going to this class and doing some movement is a huge improvement.” He mentions that exercise has many benefits beyond just fitness: it has been proven reduce anxiety and depressionand to Improve body image, sleep, bone densityand even academic achievement. Finally, he says, we don’t know these women’s backgrounds, health status or physical limitations. So rather than judge, try tying on the moon boots or bungee harness – you might find yourself not only having a great workout, but a great time.
Kaley Rohlinger is a freelance writer for PS focusing on health, fitness, food and lifestyle content. She has a background in the marketing and communications industry and has been writing for PS for over four years.
