I'd wager that folks just get obsessed with what worked for them. Really, even more acutely, they become obsessed with what they are currently doing.
I can't tout any of the claims I see online about exercise helping, well, anything. I do like my bike rides, though. And, the odds are stupid high that one of the first things you will learn about me, will include the type of ride I prefer.
Indeed. And I'd wager that what works on them is not even constant, but varies with time, experience, body composition, etc.
If you start from zero, doing anything a little bit improves your body, but it's also very easy to overdo it and break your body. If you then switch the activity, your body is already much stronger and better prepared for a new activity and is not as likely to break.
Maybe the lesson is that variation is the key? Do all sorts of physical activities and switch them occasionally?
> I'd wager that folks just get obsessed with what worked for them. Really, even more acutely, they become obsessed with what they are currently doing.
I can buy that. Running is my big thing (also HEMA), which surprised many not least myself when I realised I _liked_ it a few years ago![†]. It helps me keep healthy in body, it helps me burn off nervous energy, sometimes it is social[‡], sometimes it helps me get away[*].
[†] after losing some weight I tried various gym things to get what was left into better shape, we have heart problems in the family line and I wanted to reduce my chance of “being next”, fell into a pattern of dynamic movements to warm up, row a bit, move some weights around, then treadmill to finish, and a friend (who also runs) encouraged me to try running off the mill.
[‡] I find there is a certain camaraderie in trail events, and similarly at parkruns (a movement that has probably done significant good to overall fitness, in the UK at least)
[*] a long weekend herfing myself around the Dales while training for an event earlier this year was the most relaxed I'd felt for a prolonged time in quite a while
I can't tout any of the claims I see online about exercise helping, well, anything. I do like my bike rides, though. And, the odds are stupid high that one of the first things you will learn about me, will include the type of ride I prefer.