He felt athletic, he felt strong. In the gym, he could squat 400 pounds for multiple repetitions, he said, and he could bench-press close to the same amount. Plus, he loved how he looked.

Why Is Everyone on Steroids Now? (GQ)

People move their bodies for a number of reasons.

Losing weight, of course. But also to look good and feel strong. Reduce the risk of diseases. Stress relief. Mood enhancement. Cognitive function. Community. Improved sleep.

The list goes on, and is well backed by science.

I’ve used exercise for lots of things. Escape, staving off boredom and loneliness, procrastination. Helping me to both think and think less. It’s endlessly useful.

The benefits of exercise also provide motivation for us. We desire that feeling of extra muscle, of hitting an impressive PR or how we look in the mirror. And that helps us to be self-disciplined and go out there and do the thing. When we have a very clear goal and we are seeing progress towards it, it’s easier to control old habits and inhibit ‘bad behaviour’. 

Movement itself is obviously important. Not only does it remind us that we have a body but it keeps it functioning properly. If you don’t move it, you lose it.

But does exercise need to do everything?

Does it have to be our pharmacy? Our primary care doctor? Our social group? A platform for social media and/or fame? Are we burdening it with too many jobs?

We like to turn things into tools. Eating becomes a tool. Sleeping becomes a tool. Don’t make exercise a tool.

Let a run be a run. Let a deadlift be a deadlift.

Let exercise be exercise.