It's kind of unreal how out of shape "normal" people are

1/10

I predict 2 serious bites.

No. What is sad is how these "healthy appearing 20 year olds" have gotten brainwashed to think they need to "exercise" on a treadmill to be "healthy".The % of all people (hardcore runners + non-runners) who fully comprehend what healthy, exercise, and fitness really means has got to be less than, like, 2%, maybe?

madmandoc wrote:

I find myself amazed by the results in local races and what I see at the gym. And those are people who at least exercise a little. I'd bet that only 5% of healthy americans aged 15-45 could run a mile in less than 10 minutes. Nearly all of these people could run a 25 min 5k if they actually tried, but no one does. Healthy appearing 20 year olds walk on a treadmill. Or cycle while reading a magazine. These people have no idea what its is to really exercise! It is sad.

sloinnorcal wrote:

No. What is sad is how these "healthy appearing 20 year olds" have gotten brainwashed to think they need to "exercise" on a treadmill to be "healthy".

The % of all people (hardcore runners + non-runners) who fully comprehend what healthy, exercise, and fitness really means has got to be less than, like, 2%, maybe?

madmandoc wrote:

I find myself amazed by the results in local races and what I see at the gym. And those are people who at least exercise a little. I'd bet that only 5% of healthy americans aged 15-45 could run a mile in less than 10 minutes. Nearly all of these people could run a 25 min 5k if they actually tried, but no one does. Healthy appearing 20 year olds walk on a treadmill. Or cycle while reading a magazine. These people have no idea what its is to really exercise! It is sad.

1 for 2.

Could bump it higher if we get another.

Agree that many people don't know how (or what it feels like) to exercise at a reasonable intensity- let's say, even 65% of MHR for a sustained period. I think one of the greatest benefits of youth sports (soccer, track, basketball, swimming, etc.) is that when the athlete reaches adulthood, they know what it means to be in shape and they know how to exercise with some intensity.

It is not normal to be in shape

2/10 now

Physical Education in schools in 1960's - #JFKChallenge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fISgKl8dB3M

not exactly a nation of slow twitch athletes. larubans, europeans coming in after years of warfare, hispanic immigrants. at six flags today my big observation was how people are just big. strong, some fat, but generally a lot of big guys. not the fatties you'll see at myrtle beach.

How It Used To Be wrote:

Physical Education in schools in 1960's - #JFKChallenge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fISgKl8dB3M

Today's high school PE workout (in my school at least): 15 pushups, 25 situps, 50 jumping jacks, 5 minute run. 1-mile time trial at the end of the semester where most fail to break 8:30.

People think of "fitness" differently now than they apparently used to. The parents of the kids growing up now are the people who walk on treadmills at gyms for 20 minutes and act like they're getting a workout, and their kids get the impression that this is what it means to be "in shape." Instead of trying to get your body into its optimal condition and be the best you can, the idea now is to simply not get fat, and that is the message that school PE classes tend to pass on. Even the athletes in most sports tend to lack basic fitness beyond the ability to shoot a basketball or throw a baseball.

Runners are among the worst in terms of fitness. How many can do even 10 pull ups? 2%?

How It Used To Be wrote:

Physical Education in schools in 1960's - #JFKChallenge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fISgKl8dB3M

It's misleading to portray the content of that video as being "the norm" in the '60s - it was apparently an isolated program, and all the footage is from one school. Still impressive results, though. Off topic: notice how lily-white all of those kids are? This was apparently before racial diversity existed in California. Not really important, just interesting.

Anyway, no way could a very rigorous, mandatory PE program like that exist today. I think that it is more realistic (and important) to work on improving the diet of kids. Some level of physical activity is important, but as far as reducing prevalence of obesity is concerned, regulating diet (and PORTIONS) is key. Because when those kids grow up, even if they stay somewhat active, if they eat like crap, they will have problems. Can't tell you how many middle-aged guys I've seen who can bike a hundred miles or run 30 miles/week, yet have potbellies because they have terrible diets.

Johnny W wrote:

How many can do even 10 pull ups?

Pull ups are among the least functional of all exercises.

You are still the most handsome man I've ever seen. You have my favorite features. You have manly face scruff with a little chin dip like a manly man and eyes like a Bernese Mountain dog. And the way you move. then you make me laugh. Watching you is better than going to the movies.

You are still the most handsome man I've ever seen. You have my favorite features. You have manly face scruff with a little chin dip like a manly man and eyes like a Bernese Mountain dog. And the way you move. then you make me laugh. Watching you is better than going to the movies.

Look how healthy americans were before the obesity outbreak of the 21st century. It's sad that such a disease has progressed for so long without a cure, yet.

How It Used To Be wrote:

Physical Education in schools in 1960's - #JFKChallenge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fISgKl8dB3M

I grew up during that era. I was in high school in the early 1960's. You had to take P.E.. No choice. Same in my first two years of junior college. Once I transferred to a four year school that all went out the window. P.E. was no longer a required.

I gained a great deal of weight in my junior year and lost it during my senior year. A year after graduating I started running. People told me to get serious about life and cut out this "running stuff" and focus on my career.

I ignored them. I got faster and leaner. I stopped thinking about what shape I was in versus what shape they were in. The two weren't the same.

It came down to choices.

Lomong is one of the best. Everyone else just makes excuses not to be beefy.

Most distance runners are not healthy, so what is your point?Running a sub 5 minute mile or doing a 5k in 15 seconds is not an indicator of "health."My dad is over 80 and has never needed blood pressure medication, has never had a heart attack or cancer, can walk without a cane and he sure as hell doesn't need Depends.Yet, I doubt he could run a 15 minute mile.

madmandoc wrote:

I find myself amazed by the results in local races and what I see at the gym. And those are people who at least exercise a little. I'd bet that only 5% of healthy americans aged 15-45 could run a mile in less than 10 minutes. Nearly all of these people could run a 25 min 5k if they actually tried, but no one does. Healthy appearing 20 year olds walk on a treadmill. Or cycle while reading a magazine. These people have no idea what its is to really exercise! It is sad.