Is any fitness ever a fail?!

No matter how slow you're moving, you're lapping the people on the couch!

Actually, I agree with some of the article.

Stiletto workouts would definitely not be something I'd try, let alone recommend.

The gas mask training is a bit on the fence. I'd say no for the most part because people have a tendency to overdo things, especially if they are just starting off with getting back in shape.

And stability ball stands I'm also on the fence on because some of it just seems to encourage people to enter themselves for the Darwinism awards. Plus, depending on the setting, could be a danger to others who happen to be near them.

The rest of it, I don't really see a problem with.

Actually, I agree with some of the article.

Stiletto workouts would definitely not be something I'd try, let alone recommend.

The gas mask training is a bit on the fence. I'd say no for the most part because people have a tendency to overdo things, especially if they are just starting off with getting back in shape.

And stability ball stands I'm also on the fence on because some of it just seems to encourage people to enter themselves for the Darwinism awards. Plus, depending on the setting, could be a danger to others who happen to be near them.

The rest of it, I don't really see a problem with.

This is a good thing, not a bad thing.

Actually, I agree with some of the article.

Stiletto workouts would definitely not be something I'd try, let alone recommend.

The gas mask training is a bit on the fence. I'd say no for the most part because people have a tendency to overdo things, especially if they are just starting off with getting back in shape.

And stability ball stands I'm also on the fence on because some of it just seems to encourage people to enter themselves for the Darwinism awards. Plus, depending on the setting, could be a danger to others who happen to be near them.

The rest of it, I don't really see a problem with.

That's kind of my reaction too. Some of the things listed in there are silly and asking for injury, although the article is not fair to a lot of things. For example pole dancing, okay someone fell and broke their neck. People break their necks playing sports like rugby and ice hockey, and I'm sure the risk of skin infection from unwashed ice hockey kit (gloves especially!!) is worse than that from unwashed poles.... well duh, of course you should maintain good hygiene... quoting what might happen as a result of a sport + poor hygiene is kind of scraping the barrel for things to criticise it for.

A lot of sports come with a degree of risk. People die while playing football, rugby, ice hockey.... I had a friend who died in a horse riding accident.... what's important is that people partaking in the sports know the risks and take precautions, for example in ice hockey, you wear helmets. They don't prevent every single death but they prevent a great number of them (I should know, my head left a dent in the boards at one ice rink, thank you Mr Bauer for a very well constructed helmet). So yeah. the same goes for pole dancing. Know the risks, take sensible precautions. Maybe a crash mat/safety net and training in how to fall properly (like circus performers have) before doing very advanced moves where there's a risk of falling on your head and breaking your neck.

Some of the things, like tough mudders, maybe they need to be more careful about advising participants to get medical clearance first, especially if they're unfit. Or maybe they do that already and people just don't take notice, ultimately the responsibility for that is on the participants, so long as the organisers have made it clear that there is a risk and participants should get medical clearance.

Some things strike me as really stupid like running in stilettos... maybe that has its place for some people in some situations, like training with a gas mask for high altitude running, standing on exercise balls for developing balance or whatever..... but that's where people need to have a modicum of common sense and not just do things because everyone else is doing it and everyone else says it's a good idea.... if it looks dangerous and you don't think you have sufficient balance skills or fitness to do it without getting hurt, you're probably right so don't do it.

Stupid article.

This.

I don't have the ability to do it, but the yoga and pilates on the stand up boards looks fun.

I think fitness is a fail when you have to spend two or three hours at the gym pursuing it, unless you're an elite athlete who does this for a living.

It's very possible to train smarter, for less time, and not risk breaking your neck in the process. I would not do some of the things mentioned in the article even in the name of "some fitness is better than no fitness." It's just not worth the potential injury.

Well, I have to agree with the article on a couple of points, for instance, the whole idea of "exercising" in stilettos is idiotic. While all exercise has inherent risks, most of those mentioned in the article increase the risk of injury by a significant degree. Overall the article focused on some pretty stupid exercise fads.