Fundamentally, humans are meant to move. Being strong and fit is an essential part of being human. The word “fit” means to have the capacity to undertake a task. Hence, physical fitness is the capability to undertake the physical tasks associated with being human. More and more people struggle with normal physical tasks even people in the prime of their lives. In the most recent Australian census, 19% of respondents said that they hadn’t even walked for exercise in the 12 months prior to filling in the survey. The survey also revealed that less than 20% of Australians regularly went to a gym. These are fairly telling statistics, but even more alarming is that obesity levels in Australia have hit historic highs with almost 1 in 3 people now so fat they register as obese. Another 1/3 of the population are overweight. That means 2 in 3 people in Australia classify as overweight. And Australia is a fit and healthy country compared to many around the world. 

 

In the modern world, more people than ever are moving less than they ever have. Technology is a wonderful thing and THW is not promoting a return to primitive ways of life. However, movement or exercise must be reinstated as a core component in every person’s daily routine. Let us first explore the standard “health” reasons why everyone should exercise. There are many reasons but here are 7 standard benefits of exercise that you’ll find stated by health professionals, the World Health Organisation and government agencies: 

 

1.     Physical Health: Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight by burning calories and building muscle mass. It reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, certain cancers, and osteoporosis.

2.     Strengthens the Heart: Exercise improves cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate, which strengthens the heart muscle, improves circulation, and lowers blood pressure.

3.     Enhances Mood: Physical activity stimulates the production of endorphins, neurotransmitters that promote feelings of happiness and reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. It also improves sleep, which positively affects mood.

4.     Boosts Energy Levels: Regular exercise can increase energy levels and combat feelings of fatigue. 

5.     Improves Cognitive Function: Exercise supports brain health and cognitive function. It enhances memory, focus, and overall brain performance by increasing blood flow to the brain and promoting the growth of new brain cells.

6.     Improves Longevity: Research suggests that regular exercise is associated with a longer lifespan. It reduces the risk of premature death from various causes, including cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

 

The Ancients, including the Ancient Greeks, highly prized fitness. Let’s not gloss over the fact that in Ancient Greece and Rome, slaves did much of the manual labour. That said, ancient philosophers in Greece implored citizens to exercise. Plato said that…

 

“ to succeed in life, God provided him with two means, education and physical activity. Not separately, one for the soul and the other for the body, but for the two together. With these two means, man can attain perfection.” 

 

The Herculean Way is committed to the synergy between the physical and the intellectual and spiritual. OPEX Fitness, one of the world’s most highly recognised strength and fitness training academies says much the same about arduous exercise as a foundation for building stronger life practices…

 

“Tough aerobic training is not just about physical exertion; it's also a mental challenge. Pushing your performance limits requires mental fortitude and focus. Embracing this aspect of tough aerobic exercises not only elevates your fitness but also enhances your mental resilience and determination in other areas of life.”

 

These points are central to the Herculean Way’s approach to life. Exercise is a must for health. It also will contribute to making us all better people able to do better things. Of course, to achieve this it takes more than being fit and doing hard work in the gym or the park, the pool or on the road. But without the willingness to physically work hard, to push through pain, the chances are that when the going gets tough, when there is a need for resilience, determination, discipline or the ability to get up, dust yourself off and get back in to life, those who have not had to do this regularly on the sporting field, in the gym, or through any other tough physical endeavour, will find it much harder than those who have honed their mental toughness through physical activity. 

 

Let me draw on Galen, the Ancient Greek scientist and philosopher who said many things about food and exercise which remain influential today. One point he made, which has sort of been lost, is that exercise is not just for the young and indeed, he believed that older people should exercise as much as young people for longevity and to protect them against disease. That advice is just as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago when Galen advocated it. 

 

The Herculean Way is here to persuade you to push yourself hard physically. To embrace pain and to do it regularly. Not only will your health benefit. Your mind will as well and with the other skills and capabilities that of THW undoubtedly you will live better and hopefully for longer giving you time and energy to contribute more positively for the benefit close to you and the world of which we are all a part. Exercise is the first pillar of The Herculean Way.