Flip it: I like to think that endurance sports are popular with hard working white collar workers because it is a means of coping with stress and long work hours. I work in consulting and the majority of people I work with use swimming, running and cycling as a way of relaxing / managing stress / unwinding. Hence ‘enduranxe’.
also, the fact that you can do it on your own schedule mostly. It's hard for busy professionals to conform to a team training schedule. Running, swimming etc. you can mostly do when you have the time. Of course running and swimming clubs are hugely beneficial but are mostly optional.
Exercise is anything but relaxing (except for perhaps afterwards). More likely it's mostly a status indicator. People want to be "a person who runs marathons", or be a very fit person, because in their mind it gives status.
I think you need to "relax" your definition of "relaxing"!
For somebody who crunches numbers all day, it's very "relaxing" to go out and do something that stresses another part of your being. The overworked part gets to take the time off while the underworked part gets a run-out.
Your counterpoint (“except for perhaps afterwards”) is a large part of why I, and I’m sure others, work out. Not only for the relaxation effect — a late evening workout or run does help me sleep better — but often as a way to calm my mind and increase focus throughout the day. It’s hardly because of status.
> Exercise is anything but relaxing (except for perhaps afterwards).
That's definitely not my experience, although of course "relaxing" is subjective and can differ person to person. I think research supports that endurance exercise is good for calming and similar mental health.
There is a ton of research showing that regular exercise, especially running, improves mental health, sleep and wellbeing; complementary to a healthy diet and meditation. As someone who has experienced depressive disorder, I can tell you that it works (alongside medication and others of course).
I do marathons but it is not for the status. I don’t think many people do — it is a lot of pain to go through. It is about goal orientation, achievement and the immense mental satisfaction (high) from endorphins it yields for your emotional and mental state. I cannot emphasise this enough — it is so important for me to stay sane and well balanced in an otherwise busy life.
