Gym Is the New Church—But Should It Be?
We crave purpose, connection, and sweat. But is the gym the answer?
The Modern Fitness Paradox
We have more ways to exercise than ever before.
The average big box gym has 100s of machines, cities have group fitness studios around every block, and workout classes on YouTube, you don’t even need to leave your house.
Getting fit has never been more accessible.
So why do so many people struggle to move?
Not just in the “I should go to the gym” way, but in a deeper sense—why does movement often feel so complicated? And why, despite all the options we have, do we still crave something more?
Welcome to Sunday Service (of Sweat)
A few Sundays ago, I went to church.
But it wasn’t a traditional church.
It was my first ever group fitness class: Hot Pilates.
My friend—who went to these classes frequently—picked me up at 8:30 a.m. on a Sunday for a 9 o’clock class. It was sorta fun (although hard), and it was nice to do something challenging with a group of people doing the same hard thing alongside you.
Like lots of different group fitness classes—be it SoulCycle, CrossFit, Peloton, or goat yoga (yes, that’s a thing)—Pilates seems to have captured the zeitgeist.
I get why: these classes offer what modern life often lacks.
Humans long for any semblance of group effort towards a common goal. Any sliver of community. A chance to sweat alongside 20 other humans (wearing Lululemon leggings) and feel accomplished after doing so. A space to be told what to do and how to move from a charismatic instructor. A chance to build your identity as a fit person.
The gym has indeed become the new church. But should it be?
The Hidden Costs of Boutique Fitness
Boutique fitness studios offer tempting solutions to deep-seated societal problems. As I contemplated my Pilates experience, I thought about the catch:
It’s expensive 💸 Let’s be real: gyms and fitness studios are businesses. They want your money, and they get it.
The community is often superficial. Group classes may offer a sense of community, but it’s often temporary. If you’re sick and need meals made for you, or even monetary assistance for your medical bills, is your yoga instructor going to help you out? Likely not.
They profit from complexity. New gadgets, expensive machines, and fitness apps create the illusion that movement must be mechanized and tracked to be effective
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Back to the Basics: Moving Like Our Ancestors
When something’s too complicated, it doesn’t get done.
Modern fitness has stripped movement of joy and accessibility. But movement is powerful medicine. It’s one of the most basic human needs—and it’s not supposed to be complicated.
So what’s the solution?
We need to strip it back and think of movement from an evolutionary perspective.
I think about ancestral movement as made up of five types:
Carrying 💪🏻 (hauling food, firewood, tools, & children)
Climbing ⛰️ (up and down rough terrain)
Sprinting 🏃🏽➡️ (short bursts of all-out effort for hunting and avoiding being hunted)
Walking 🚶♀️(frequently and for long distances to hunt, gather, explore)
Playing 🤼♀️ (jumping, squatting, wrestling, or crawling
The Simple Solution: Just Walk
Walking is good in so many ways. It’s free. It’s accessible. It gets you outside. Exercise can seem complicated. I hate that, though, because it doesn’t have to be. Anyone can experience better sleep, greater clarity, and a happier mood by walking.
Walking is also a great way to connect with your fellow humans.
I always try to suggest walks as a way to catch up with friends. Honestly, I don’t even do it for the physical benefits alone. I do it because it’s less awkward! When you walk and talk, you don’t have to stare into someone’s soul like you would if you went out for brunch and sat across from each other.
That’s just awkward.
Also—silence between conversations is more comfortable when you’re moving.
A Return to Natural Movement
The solution to our movement crisis isn't found in expensive studios or complicated routines.
It's in returning to the basic movements that shaped human evolution. You don't need a membership, special clothes, or an app to move like your ancestors did.
The next time you feel the pull toward the latest fitness trend, ask yourself: Am I complicating something that should be simple? Perhaps the best workout isn't waiting in a boutique studio, but in the simple act of moving your body the way it was designed to move.
Because sometimes, the most revolutionary thing you can do is keep it simple.
With love and health,
Sophie
P.S…I’d love to hear your thoughts on this article and any ideas you have for future issues! You can reach me below.
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