Article Link Fit Nation, upcoming book on fitness culture

Rivercat · 01-25-23, 11:59 AM

Culture writer Anne Helen Peterson recently posted an essay by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela who has a book coming out about exercise culture and her own experiences.

She touches on so many points and there's a lot to unpack. Not sure if I will order the book or see if my library gets it in.

https://annehelen.substack.com/p/whe...e-a-luxury-8de

lotusgirl · 02-02-23, 12:25 AM

Thanks for posting this! It's an interesting article!

bzar · 01-22-24, 02:53 PM

library copy finally arrived for my pick-up. there are a handful of "video instructors" covered in the book - it has a good index of topics and names.

It was interesting what inspired Kathy Smith (Gilda Marx) and that Kathy was teaching classes at a Santa Monica Nautilus gym (remember those?) in 1977.

Pat58 · 01-23-24, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bzar

It was interesting what inspired Kathy Smith (Gilda Marx) and that Kathy was teaching classes at a Santa Monica Nautilus gym (remember those?) in 1977.

Jeannine, I went to a Nautilus gym in 1980-1981. Loved it! It was my introduction to weight training.

Those were the best machines. My Planet Fitness has all Life Fitness machines now and they don't feel as effective as the old Nautilus beasts.

Rivercat · 01-23-24, 12:16 PM

I wish my library had picked this one up.

cataddict · 01-23-24, 02:59 PM

Thanks for sharing!

I actually have the Kari Anderson workout shown in the picture! I also had some workout wear by Gilda Marx—very interesting that she inspired Kathy Smith.

bzar · 01-23-24, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat58

Jeannine, I went to a Nautilus gym in 1980-1981. Loved it! It was my introduction to weight training.

Those were the best machines. My Planet Fitness has all Life Fitness machines now and they don't feel as effective as the old Nautilus beasts.

nautilus machines are good at working the muscle eccentrically.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivercat

I wish my library had picked this one up.

you might also look into the e-version on your library's free e-book app. Ours uses "Libby" and i also borrowed the e-book version on my phone.

Vintage VFer · 01-24-24, 04:46 PM

Ah, even the article was too long for me. I look forward to VFers' thoughts on the book.

I remember going to the mall and browsing through the Gilda Marx workout wear. It was soooooo expensive! I still love the bright colors and feminine styles. Back then I made the effort because I went to Jazzercise classes.

Now, I just wear old shorts and tees with holes in them to work out at home. I have no witnesses! LOL!

adawn · 01-28-24, 02:43 PM

Link to prior thread:

https://forum.videofitness.com/showthread.php?t=233931

FWIW, I checked this book out of my local library about 3 times and never could make it very far through the book.

toaster · 01-29-24, 08:29 AM

I read (or at least skimmed) most of the article. I found it interesting how they talked about fitness as a socially acceptable form of consumerism/over-spending. It's similar to the discussion of how "wellness" is now an industry. I think this is true, but as both a psychologist and a yoga teacher, it makes me sad.

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01-25-23, 11:59 AM
Rivercat VF Supporter Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Northern Calif	Fit Nation, upcoming book on fitness culture Culture writer Anne Helen Peterson recently posted an essay by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela who has a book coming out about exercise culture and her own experiences. She touches on so many points and there's a lot to unpack. Not sure if I will order the book or see if my library gets it in. https://annehelen.substack.com/p/whe...e-a-luxury-8de __________________ Kate ~~~Inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon, Jan 2015~~~ "Work your own shovel" - John "The Penguin" Bingham

02-02-23, 12:25 AM
lotusgirl Join Date: Jan 2011	Thanks for posting this! It's an interesting article! __________________ ~ I've learned that two steps forward, one step back, is still progress. ~

01-22-24, 02:53 PM
bzar Exchange Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: PalmTreeVille	library copy finally arrived for my pick-up. there are a handful of "video instructors" covered in the book - it has a good index of topics and names. It was interesting what inspired Kathy Smith (Gilda Marx) and that Kathy was teaching classes at a Santa Monica Nautilus gym (remember those?) in 1977. __________________ ~jeannine Miyagi: Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off. Breathe in through nose, out the mouth. Wax on, wax off. Don't forget to breathe, very important. [walks away, still making circular motions with hands] ~ Pat Morita, The Karate Kid, 1984 disclosure: in the years 2002-2004 i had a professional relationship with a distributor of fitness videos; see profile.

01-23-24, 12:16 PM
Rivercat VF Supporter Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Northern Calif	I wish my library had picked this one up. __________________ Kate ~~~Inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon, Jan 2015~~~ "Work your own shovel" - John "The Penguin" Bingham

01-23-24, 02:59 PM
cataddict VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006	Thanks for sharing! I actually have the Kari Anderson workout shown in the picture! I also had some workout wear by Gilda Marx—very interesting that she inspired Kathy Smith. __________________ How fierce will you be today? VFer KateTT Watula, Cheeto, Charli, Lux, Merlin, Rudy, Finley the Cat, Hobbes, Winston, and Finley the Dog Fan Girl! Word of 2024: Patience

01-24-24, 04:46 PM
Vintage VFer VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	Ah, even the article was too long for me. I look forward to VFers' thoughts on the book. I remember going to the mall and browsing through the Gilda Marx workout wear. It was soooooo expensive! I still love the bright colors and feminine styles. Back then I made the effort because I went to Jazzercise classes. Now, I just wear old shorts and tees with holes in them to work out at home. I have no witnesses! LOL! __________________ Goal:250 / Done:91 POSTURE CHECK!

01-28-24, 02:43 PM
adawn VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Illinois	Link to prior thread: https://forum.videofitness.com/showthread.php?t=233931 FWIW, I checked this book out of my local library about 3 times and never could make it very far through the book.

01-29-24, 08:29 AM
toaster Exchange Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Western NY	I read (or at least skimmed) most of the article. I found it interesting how they talked about fitness as a socially acceptable form of consumerism/over-spending. It's similar to the discussion of how "wellness" is now an industry. I think this is true, but as both a psychologist and a yoga teacher, it makes me sad. __________________ Beth aka Toaster (she/her) *Follow me @YogiBethC* YouTube\|Instagram\|Facebook And yes, I am Reviewer Dr. Beth on Amazon.