In a world where switching off is increasingly difficult and people’s mental health is consistently being battered, the opportunity to exercise and move the body is encouraged, and personally, welcomed! There remains a large push to BE healthy and to take care of your body (physically and mentally), and exercising remains a recommended avenue to pursue inner peace, tranquillity and good health. With the poorer weather just around the corner (I’m assuming: although if the sunny warm days continue you’ll get no complaints from me), being able to exercise outside will become slightly more restricted (walking and running). So for those with gym memberships, or who aren’t afraid of the dark, exercise could continue no matter the season. But for many, exercise which is presented as a necessity (Physical Education compulsory in mainstream education); is a privilege. It’s based on availability of time, money, and confidence. Yet via the great powers that be (Social Media) it feels like it is a privilege we are made to feel guilty for not achieving or prioritising.

I write this from the perspective of someone who has always been active; swimming, running, badminton, gym memberships- I am someone who struggled with body image, size and whose mental health very much hinges on caffeine and endorphins. I was introduced to playing badminton with my Pa and brother on a rainy Sunday afternoon back when I was around 10 years old. And it’s a physical hobby which has been a staple in all of our lives since (it’s also how I met my partner and 3 of my closest friends: Good call Pa)! But badminton costs money- silly money. You have to pay to use the court, pay to borrow equipment or purchase your own. Many would have to pay to get to the sports centre (public transport, cars, e-bikes/scooters). Lots and lots of costs. Costs which many individuals and families cannot afford. You also need to have someone to play with. So not a solo activity. Therefore, being able to say you have access to all of the above is surely someone (myself included) in a privileged position.

As an adult, I’ve been a member of various gyms since graduating from University (with a break during the pandemic). Some of the gyms I’ve been a member of have been quite intimidating spaces. There have been women only spaces and classes which were very much welcomed but the gym is like its own separate social sphere (if you know, you know). There is an etiquette that is, but then sometimes is not, followed (trying to read social cues is impossible in a dark, headphone filled, loud environment- and this is coming from some who is privileged enough to be able to pick up on social cues with relative success- or at least thinks they can)! It’s confusing and intimidating, and so so loud! Music, people, weights crashing down! It’s a LOUD space. The memberships themselves usually involve a peak option (before and after the engrained 9-5 which costs silly silly money) and off-peak (during the day and weekends when many people work, have childcare responsibilities but thankfully just costs silly money). All of this reinforces the privilege someone needs to be able to exercise and access a gym (confident in loud dark environments, not impacted by loud banging noises, disposable income to spend, individual time to prioritise themselves and the physical ability to exercise on machines aimed at people without disabilities).

So, in an increasingly challenging world: poverty, hate, war, misogyny, racism, transphobia, disablism, homophobia, suicide, homelessness and the ever-increasing list, why does thinking about exercise and gym memberships matter? It probably doesn’t. But sometimes it’s important to reflect on what we do have and to think about and be mindful of the barriers others face. Exercise is encouraged of many of us: it has serious physical and mental health benefits (yay endorphins), but it’s a privilege on so many levels. I think it’s important it’s framed as such rather than simply as something we should be doing. It’s something many many people simply do not have the privilege to be able to do. And this needs recognising.