Is physical fitness now the biggest middle class parent flex?

[WhatsYourFlex]

I read something a while ago arguing that the biggest “flex” in middle aged middle class parents is now being physically fit - the marathon running dad, the weightlifting mum with well defined arms ….that kind of thing.

Apparently this is now more desired/envied than for example driving a fancy car or wearing designer clothes etc or being traditionally pretty/good looking.

It got me thinking. I’d certainly rather be / look fit and have people admiring me for that than have people admiring me for a big house / nice car / posh holidays . (I actually had the worst car at our kids school for years and we holiday in the U.K. and it never bothered me at all!)

Wondering what others think? What’s the biggest flex these days?

Also interesting how this ties in with many younger people / teens being more interested in health and fitness these days

It's not a phenomenon I've heard of - but it makes sense if you view the ability to maintain good physical fitness as a proxy for having a combination of spare time + energy + discipline as well as having the big busy job (iyswim). Whereas pretty much anyone can drive a flashy looking car on finance if they want to.

I say this as a high earner who really struggles to fit in time to exercise!

I think it matters if your child goes to a “good” school or you live in a quasi-posh area, have a top job. Otherwise, I just say hello to the other nice mums at school. Then leave…

Hmm no, being slim still beats being muscly. Muscly is what ‘toned’ means in reality and you can’t put-exercise a fluffy diet.

weightlifting seems to have gone up in popularity - I did it for a couple of years and felt so strong and amazing but also put on two stone.

back to semi starvation for me.

I disagree. Slim women might look good dressed, but fit women look good naked. Physical strength and fitness will also make your life easier.

You are right that you can't outrun a bad diet. But muscles with lower body fat looks better than no muscles with lower body fat.

This is madness! Why would you starve yourself after getting so strong?!

mm no, being slim still beats being muscly. Muscly is what ‘toned’ means in reality and you can’t put-exercise a fluffy diet

@ohwhatthehelly its not either slim or strong though - look at some of the Gladiators like Comet or Electro, they are slim but strong as anything and look incredible IMHO

Physical strength and fitness will also make your life easier. You are right that you can't outrun a bad diet. But muscles with lower body fat looks better than no muscles with lower body fat

@selffellatingouroborosofhate I agree

Of course fitness is a good thing to have.
But a word of warning - I was slim and fit until I was struck down with a condition that means I can't exercise, then pumped full of steroids. I'm no better or worse a person now than I was when I was slim and looked good in any outfit.

It's interesting seeing some people make all sorts of assumptions about me based on the way I look.
I have realised some people have genuinely kind hearts and are interested in the real person, and others are all about surface and artifice.

I’m sorry to hear that @CassandraWebb

I have realised some people have genuinely kind hearts and are interested in the real person, and others are all about surface and artifice

This is very true