Do you realize that once-upon-a-time, carrying a few extra pounds of fat was considered a sign of good health? How did we go from a culture that appreciated girth to one obsessed with being skinny? Why do we exercise the way we do? What societal forces influence the ways that we exercise? Dr. Natalia Petrzela is an Associate Professor of History at the New School in New York City and teaches about the history of the fitness industry; Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America's Exercise Obsession is her book that describes the origins of our obsession with fitness and how that has shaped our society (pun fully intended). Dr. Petrzela shares her insights on what has made exercise popular and what that means for our workout routines. It's all about the history of half-naked people getting sweaty on this episode of All About Fitness. Order your copy of Fit Nation today: https://amzn.to/40Vancj Stay up-to-date on historical insights and their context, follow Dr. Petrzela on Twitter: @nataliapetrzela www.butcherbox.com/aafitness use code AAFITNESS to get a FREE grass-fed chuck roast AND a whole, free-range organic chicken, PLUS $20 off your first box. From mobility exercises that can improve your performance to high-intensity interval training that torches calories, learn how to design your own workouts from someone who has been educating personal trainers for 20 years; order a copy of Smarter Workouts: the Science of Exercise Made Simple https://amzn.to/3dBVfg4 Learn how exercise, specifically high-intensity exercise, can slow down and mitigate the effects of the biological aging process and allow you to add YEARS to your life with Ageless Intensity: High Intensity Workouts to Slow the Aging Process https://amzn.to/3eYieSC Functional Core Training e-book This e-book explains how the muscles of your core work as a single unit and identifies the most effective exercises for making them stronger. https://amzn.to/3VL3EOp Dynamic Anatomy This e-book explains the difference between muscle and fascia, describes how different muscles function together to produce movement and identifies the most effective exercises for popular muscles like the hamstrings, shoulders and, of course, the glutes.  https://amzn.to/3XUZK7s Exercise for the Fountain of Youth This e-book explains the role that exercise plays in reversing many of the effects of the aging process and provides a simple, easy-to-follow workout program that can help you to use exercise to extend your lifespan. The prequel to Ageless Intensity. https://amzn.to/3gVRcg9 (yes, these are my books, they are also affiliate links so a commission will be earned) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices