Why I No Longer Call Movement a “Workout”
For many years, I was obsessed with the concept of the a “workout”. It wasn't just an activity; it was a ritual, a necessary checkbox that defined my day and, to some extent, my self-worth. As a collegiate rower, this mindset was only reinforced. I vividly recall those grueling early mornings on the water, the driving narrative that you can always push harder, and if you weren’t ultimately you were letting yourself (and your teammates) down. The pressure to perform was immense. Pushing through illnesses, attempting to set a personal record (PR) every session, and forgoing rest days became the norm. I believed that if I wasn’t exhausted, sweating, and spent at the end of a training session, I was failing.
But this approach took a toll. Ignoring my body's pleas for rest led to frequent illnesses and injuries. The constant push for better performance drained not only my physical energy but also my mental resilience. After college, as I transitioned out of competitive rowing, but the lessons instilled in me continued. Whether training for a 1/2 marathon, participating in CrossFit, or Powerlifting I continued to be obsessed with fitting a “workout” into the day. This led to a mindset shift where there were “good” and “bad” days in terms of how many hours a day I spent in the gym.
When I began my Pilates practice in 2018 I discovered a form of movement that required me to slow my pace and I was able to diversify my movement to include options that didn’t leave me feeling ragged at the end of them. I began to understand that strictly relegating movement as “exercise” or “workouts”, pigeonholes movement to the gym and often forces an all-or-nothing mentality. The very word “workout" implies a rigid, intense session, often confined to the four walls of a gym. It suggests that anything less than a strenuous effort isn’t valuable, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Movement, I’ve discovered, is a much broader and more liberating concept. It encompasses everything from a brisk walk in the park, to a line dancing class with friends, from a short Pilates session in my living room to a leisurely bike ride. When I stopped calling my sessions “workouts” and started referring to them as movement, something remarkable happened. I felt free to listen to my body and change what type of movement I participate in based on how I’m feeling that day.
I began to realize that decisions around movement will change based on external factors, personal goals, and priorities. Some days, my body craves the intensity of a challenging hike or a heavy lift. Other days, gentle stretching or a slow walk feels just right. This flexible approach allows me to integrate movement into my life more naturally and sustainably.
For example, there was a day not long ago when I had planned a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session. But after a sleepless night, my body felt exhausted. In the past, I would have forced myself to push through, believing anything less was a failure. Instead, I opted to take my sweet dog Towser for a walk outside and completed some mobility on the mat. This choice responded to my body’s need for rest and recovery, and I still felt more energized when I was done.
This shift has not only improved my physical health but also my mental well-being. By removing the pressure to perform and allowing myself to enjoy various forms of movement, I’ve rekindled a genuine love for being active. The joy of movement, free from the confines of specific expectations has become a vital part of my daily routine.
Moving has become about finding what feels good, what nourishes my body and mind, and what fits into the ebb and flow of my life. Movement should be a celebration of what our bodies can do, not a punishment for what we think they can’t. So here's to movement in all its forms may it bring us health, happiness, and a deeper connection to ourselves.
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