KERA's Think

Is fitness the ultimate flex?

Jun 5, 2025
Cat Zhang, a culture writer at the Cut, dives into the world of fitness as a luxury industry. She discusses how the pandemic turned fitness into a performance, echoing privilege and competitiveness. The conversation spans tech's role in shaping fitness obsessions, the psychological toll of societal standards, and the rising costs of gym memberships. Zhang critiques the hyper-competitive health trends fueled by social media while championing inclusivity and community wellness. It’s a captivating exploration of how we perceive health in today’s society.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Extreme Fitness and Privilege

  • Fitness culture today is more extreme, technology-driven, and aesthetic-focused than past trends.
  • Tracking health data consumes cognitive space and highlights privilege in being able to optimize health.
INSIGHT

Limits of Fitness Data Tracking

  • Hyper-focus on fitness data can create anxiety without actionable solutions.
  • Improving sleep or health scores often depends on privileges beyond individual control.
INSIGHT

Risks of Health Data

  • Consumer health data collected by devices is often insecure and can be misused.
  • Data can be used for surveillance and punitive actions like deportations.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app