Just When Fitness Was Beginning to Feel Inclusive (*Sigh*)

As a chronically online girly, I’d be remiss to not mention Nike’s most recent, and polarizing, ad campaign: “Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated.”

Well, I’ve lied a bit. Somehow, I missed the entire Nike kerfuffle, but a friend of mine, who recently ran the Boston Marathon at an alarmingly fast pace (we’re talking sub 2:40!), had asked me what I thought and I’ve chosen to share via column.

If you, too, are in select pockets of the internet, Nike revealed posters ahead of the Boston Marathon that read, “Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated.” The brand, however, appeared to have misread its consumers and encountered rather severe backlash, prompting their removal of the ad.

I’m not quite sure what Nike had intended with their campaign, and I realize marathons are, more or less, for runners (blah, blah, blah), but here are my two cents.

Though I wouldn’t call myself a runner, I do run 20 or so miles each week and am well aware (!!) that running is 1) not for everyone and 2) a high-impact activity. 

Maybe the out-of-breath-ness of running just isn’t your jam. Maybe your joints don’t take well to the consistent pounding on pavement. Whatever it may be, who am I to tell you that, actually, you should be running?

To reiterate a point I made last week: You should choose movement that best serves your body – so long as you are not hurting yourself (or anyone else!), all movement is good movement.

For the looongest time, we were told that certain bodies belonged in fitness-related spaces and others didn’t.

For the looongest time, we were told that certain activities belonged in fitness-related spaces and others didn’t. 

Call me crazy, but I think any step taken to prioritize our health and well-being should be celebrated.

Photo Source: Runner’s World.