What 40 Years in Fitness Taught Us

Scott and Warren return with a timely solo episode of The Evexia Exchange—a wide-ranging conversation on the full evolution of the health and fitness industry, and what it reveals about where wellness is headed next.

From ancient survival-based movement and the first Olympic Games, to the Strongman era, the rise of the YMCA, the bodybuilding boom of the 80s and 90s, Jane Fonda aerobics, boutique fitness, and today’s wearables + AI obsession—this episode tracks how fitness culture has constantly shifted with society’s values, fears, and incentives.

Along the way, they unpack a “dirty secret” of the gym business model (sign ’em up and hope they don’t come), why intimidation keeps people from starting, and why the future of fitness isn’t just aesthetics or performance—it’s longevity, healthspan, and community.

In this episode, we explore:

* Fitness as survival—and the origins of spectator sport (including the first Olympic Games)

* The Strongman era, “spectacle strength,” and early influencer culture

* YMCA + post-war training: discipline, routine, and the rise of communal fitness

* Bodybuilding’s explosion: machines, supplements, steroid culture, and “the perfect body” myth

* Jane Fonda, aerobics, and how group fitness opened the door for women

* Boutique fitness (CrossFit, Barry’s, Orangetheory, Pilates) and why people plateau

* Gym intimidation, etiquette, and what actually makes people *stick*

* Personal training as coaching—movement education, accountability, and mental health support

* Wearables + AI: what to measure, what to ignore, and how data can become a trap

* Where it’s all going: functional movement, healthspan, cognition, and community-first spaces

About the Evexia Exchange

A podcast by Club Evexia—a wellness community in Southern Marin focused on fitness, longevity, and belonging. Founders Scott Raymond & Warren Gendel interview practitioners, members, and thinkers on living well together. Produced by Resonate Studio, LLC.

If this episode resonates with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who’s trying to rebuild their relationship with fitness—and wants something more sustainable than hype, shortcuts, or intimidation.

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