Why Running Is Rapidly Taking the Place of All Other Exercise

Running has steadily gained popularity as a preferred form of exercise, with approximately 2 million runners in the UK and 10 million in the US embracing this activity.

Today, running is as natural as slipping on a comfortable pair of trainers. It’s a versatile exercise that can be done solo and in almost any environment. Unlike team sports, it doesn’t demand coordination with others’ schedules or require specialized equipment like nets, bats, or courts. All you need are your shoes and the willingness to step outside. While running feels like one of the most instinctive ways to exercise, its history suggests otherwise, and our attraction to it extends beyond its simplicity.

The modern popularity of running has roots in the 1960s when jogging emerged as a solution to counteract sedentary lifestyles. This trend evolved into a massive industry, with the athletic shoe market alone now valued in the tens of billions. Before this “jogging revolution,” however, running was a niche activity. Historically, it was practiced mostly by individuals from affluent backgrounds, as evidenced in 19th-century periodicals like Bell’s Life in London and Sporting Chronicle, which portrayed it as a pastime for gentlemen—and occasionally for those exploiting them through scams.

Exercise itself, as we understand it today—intentional movement for maintaining physical health—did not become widespread until the early 19th century. While physical activities like wrestling and hunting have been documented as far back as 3,500 years ago in works like The Epic of Gilgamesh, structured exercise only became a cultural norm during the leisure-oriented lifestyles of wealthier classes in this period.

We see early portrayals of exercise in literature, such as Jane Austen’s novels. In Mansfield Park, Fanny often finds herself “knocked up” on the sofa after long walks, reflecting exercise as a pastime for the daughters of the gentry. However, Austen’s characters often reflect the era’s views: moderate physical activity, as shown by Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet, was admired, while excessive exertion was deemed unbecoming. Elizabeth’s balance—symbolized by her flushed cheeks and muddy skirts after visiting her sister—could be likened to the Georgian equivalent of a trail run.

By the 19th century, exercise became a necessity for the idle upper classes to counteract the physical decline caused by their sedentary lifestyles. This need led to innovations like Francis Lowndes’s Gymnasticon, patented in 1797, which was designed for indoor exercise. While the contraption might provoke laughter today, it’s not far removed from modern gym equipment like cross-trainers.

Austen’s skepticism about public exercise persists in some ways. Many people are comfortable running in parks but might shy away from doing aerobics outdoors. As P.G. Wodehouse humorously observed in Something Fresh (1915), exercising publicly in London often meant either surrendering or enduring mockery. Yet despite this cultural resistance, running has thrived.

The key lies in its dual identity. Running occupies a middle ground between sport and exercise. Unlike activities like Zumba or Body Pump, which are often confined to gyms, running’s association with sport makes it more publicly acceptable.

The industrial revolution reshaped our work habits and eliminated many natural spaces, making exercise an essential but separate part of our daily routines. Running, however, remains an affordable, accessible, and efficient way to incorporate physical activity into busy lives.

As economic pressures and long work hours continue to dominate modern life, running will likely grow in popularity. It offers an accessible way to combat lethargy and stay active without requiring expensive equipment or memberships. Plus, it’s genuinely enjoyable.

Running may not entirely escape mockery, but its benefits and universal appeal ensure that it will remain a cornerstone of fitness culture for years to come.