It's Been a Minute The Swoletariat: a history of leftist fitness
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Feb 4, 2026 Angel Gonzalez, activist and creator who coined 'swoletariat,' and Margaret Cirino, Life Kit producer and CrossFit coach, explore fitness as a political practice. They trace 19th century Turner halls to Black Power training and modern leftist influencers. Short takes on how workout culture, community training, and prepping for protest intersect with ideology and social solidarity.
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Swoletariat As Political Identity
- The term "swoletariat" blends "swole" and "proletariat" to link muscular training with class consciousness.
- Angel Gonzalez adopted it from Reddit to frame fitness as a political and communal practice.
Meme That Sparked A Movement
- Angel Gonzalez recalls a meme of four gym types culminating in the largest man saying he's "harshly aware of the rapid state of fascism."
- That image sealed Angel's embrace of mixing fitness with political readiness.
Gymnasiums As Political Hubs
- Turner Halls began as German gymnastics clubs mixing physical training with lectures and community activities.
- Their spaces doubled as political hubs and later helped Turners organize during the 1848 revolutions and American abolitionism.
