The Rise of Exercise in American Culture

This chapter traces the history of exercise in the United States, from its early niche status to its mainstream acceptance in the 1960s and 1970s. It examines societal perceptions surrounding fitness, highlighting how exercise was once viewed as unmanly for men and unladylike for women, while illustrating the shift towards greater acceptance and participation rates. The narrative also explores the cultural impact of pivotal figures and events, such as President Carter's promotion of jogging, which helped normalize physical activity across the nation.