The Health and Fitness Industry Needs to Confront the Root Causes
I’ve come to see that the health and fitness industry is often out of touch with what will actually make most humans healthier and more fit.
Today online coaching programs often cost $500-$1000 per month, where gym memberships often run $100-$300, where the gut health products market hit $50 billion in 2023.
Yet, we ignore the ways our society fundamentally sets us up for failure in both our health and our fitness.
One such area is transportation.
The research is clear. Those who walk, bike, and take transit for their commute and everyday activities are healthier and more fit by basically every measure.
If you’re dependent on your car for transportation, you’re at a big disadvantage.
Another area is food.
The U.S. government’s subsidy structure makes unhealthy, processed foods cheap and accessible, while fresh produce remains expensive and scarce in low-income areas.
Some may call this “a public health issue,” and not a “health and fitness” issue. I can’t imagine how we can possibly separate the two.
If you work in health and fitness, it’s time to broaden outwards and how our society is setting those you work with up for failure. It’s time to think across disciplines and examine how the challenges facing our society interlink.
