Have you ever been chatting with someone about a workout class or the gym and they’ve immediately dismissed the idea because they “aren’t in shape enough” to go?  Or they responded to your invitation with something like, “I can go in a few weeks after I work my way up.”  When did every day fitness classes become inaccessible?  And how have we created an environment where people feel like you have to “work your way up” to attend a class or go to the gym?  Of course someone shouldn’t run a marathon without proper training, but this sentiment that popular fitness classes and gyms require a base or are inaccessible to the average person is problematic.  It’s especially problematic because 50% of adults in the US do not meet recommendations for physical activity (150 minutes a week of moderate exercise, 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise, or a combination of both).

The fitness industry is currently skyrocketing in terms of profits and growth.  Since 2008, membership to fitness clubs has grown by almost 20% and the overall industry has been growing by over 1 billion dollars a year ultimately generating 25.8 billion in revenue for 2015.  Related industries are also growing at a corresponding rate.  The athletic footwear industry generated over 17 billion in 2015 (an increase of 8% from the year prior) and Morgan Stanley predicts that the “athleisure” market will grow to over $83 billion in sales by 2020.

As Vox recently reported, although the exercise industry is booming due in party to the expansion of boutique facilities like Flywheel and SoulCycle, a staggering 45% of youth do not have access to parks, playground areas, community centers, or sidewalks and trails nearby where they live.  Less than 40% of adults live near a park.  And while boutique facilities are cropping up everywhere, many of them are out of reach for people who cannot afford to pay $34 per class.  Furthermore, the process of having to pay more to guarantee a spot in a class and the feeling of exclusion many describe only contribute to the issue of accessibility.

No one should feel exercise is available to only those who can afford to pay a lot of money.  All of this makes investing in public spaces, parks, biking and walking paths, community yoga studios, and programs like bikeshare of the utmost importance.  It’s also important to invest in public transportation and culture.  Studies have also shown that people who have access to public transportation are more likely to walk.  Free admission to museums is a great way to encourage people to leave their homes and spend a few hours walking around and getting exercise while viewing beautiful pieces of art.  Hopefully better access and a continued commitment to community spaces will lessen people’s feelings that people have to “work your way up” to exercise.