Ep 179: Is The Concept of Exercise Helpful or Harmful?

Inspired by a listener's letter, biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram talk about exercise and sport and how these relate to natural movement. They discuss how Katy’s message has sometimes been reduced to exercise is ‘bad’ and natural movement is ‘better’.

Katy explains that this has never been her position; rather her aim has been to challenge the assumption that the only way to move our bodies is through exercise. Her work has been to expand our framework of human movement and provide a broader understanding of the shapes and volumes of movement required for human health. 

Katy and Jeannette also address issues raised in the listener's letter about gym culture and sports, noting that many of the negatives are perceived rather than actual or are to do with commercialization. They discuss the ubiquity of team sports across human cultures and the many positives that sport can provide, including natural movements—like throwing and catching—that are hard to get elsewhere in life.  

Also in this episode Katy interviews Anna Yona, co-founder of the barefoot shoe company Wildling. Anna shares the origin story of Wildling and their expansion from children’s shoes into the adult market. Katy and Anna talk about favourite customer stories, teenage shoe choices and Wildling’s most recent venture—a rain boot—filling a much needed niche in the minimal shoe market.

Enhanced Show Notes & Full Transcript
 
Chapters:

00:04:20 - The Dynamic Collective 

00:05:30 - Exercise Versus Natural Movement 

00:09:00 - Definitions 

00:24:00 - Gym Culture 

00:31:00 - Exercise is bad? 

00:36:25 - Sport Culture 

00:46:00 - Reader Question brought to you by Correct Toes 

00:55:40 - Conversation with Anna Yona of Wildling 

Books Mentioned:

My Perfect Movement Plan by Katy Bowman
I Know I Should Exercise, But... by Diana Hill & Katy Bowman
Far From the Tree by Andrew Solomon
Hunter-Gatherer Childhoods Edited by Barry Hewlett & Michael Lamb

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Made Possible by Our Dynamic Collective of Wonderful Sponsors:

Movemate, dynamic active standing boards that invite movement and play into your workday, without disrupting your workflow
Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the office
Peluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for higher impact activities
Wildling, minimal footwear for toddlers, kids and adults made from natural materials
Correct Toes, soft silicone toe spacers that can be worn barefoot or in shoes
Smart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home; 

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Your Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits 

Creators and Guests

Host

Jeannette Loram

Biologist, Yoga & Movement Teacher, Nutritious Movement® RES-CPT, Restore Your Core® Teacher

Host

Katy Bowman

Bestselling author, speaker, and a leader in the Movement movement, biomechanist Katy Bowman is changing the way we move and think about our need for movement.

What is Move Your DNA with Katy Bowman?

Movement isn’t optional—our bodies need it to thrive. Many of us struggle to get regular exercise, and even when we do, it can fall short of truly nourishing the body from head to toe. How can we move more—a lot more—when parts of us are sore, stiff, or simply forgotten in our busy lives?

Join biomechanist Katy Bowman, M.S., and biologist Dr. Jeannette Loram on Move Your DNA, where big-picture science meets practical action. Together, they explore biomechanics, kinesiology, physiology, cellular biology, and natural human movement—and translate it into simple, effective ways to wake up your trillion body parts. With humor, curiosity, and a focus on longevity, Katy and Jeannette help you move smarter, move more, and create a more natural habitat for yourself and your communities in today’s mostly sedentary world.