This week, I read an interesting article in The Guardian about the growing evidence that regular exercise is important for everyone, but also about the fact that many people still do not do it. The editorial was quite short – just over 500 words – but it was full of information and hidden meaning. For my analysis, I used a method called discourse analysis, specifically critical discursive psychology, to look at how the article creates meaning, shapes identity, and reflects social realities.
To start, I will explore ‘subject positions’. These are the roles or identities that people take on or are given in a conversation or text. They show how language shapes the way people see themselves and others. The Guardian article creates several clear subject positions that represent different groups in society and show how they relate to fitness and health. The first is the ‘fitness enthusiast’. This group is shown as people who are very involved in fitness culture – young adults wearing “stretchy Lycra”, using fitness trackers, and joining gyms. Generation Z is especially seen as leading this trend, described as health-conscious, aware of the physical and mental benefits of exercise, and having a modern attitude towards fitness.
On the other hand, the article talks about the ‘unwell and sedentary majority’, described as a “chronically unwell, overweight and sedentary population”. This group is linked to problems like not being active, poor mental health, and obesity, which adds to a story of society getting worse. These people are seen, often indirectly, as less disciplined or less able to take part in fitness culture.
The article also talks about ‘socioeconomic status’ as another subject position. It points out that “richer people with more education and higher social status” are more likely to be active, while “manual workers or people who are long-term unemployed” are less likely to exercise. This shows that fitness is often something that the wealthy and educated can access more easily, which highlights social inequalities.
Finally, the article mentions ‘policy makers’ by talking about government plans, especially the NHS’s 10-year plan. Policy makers are shown as responsible for shaping public health and dealing with differences in who takes part in fitness culture. Their job is to encourage prevention and to reduce the negative effects of fitness culture, like problems with body image.
Next, I shall look at ‘interpretive repertoires’. These are common ways of talking or thinking that people use to make sense of the world. They help people explain or justify their opinions. By spotting these patterns, we can see how people use familiar language to talk about complex issues. The Guardian article uses several of these repertoires, which reflect wider cultural and political ideas.
The ‘scientific and medical repertoire’ appears in references to “landmark trials”, data about the health benefits of exercise, and quotes from experts like Professor Sir Stephen Powis. Using medical language gives authority to the idea that exercise is vital for both body and mind. The ‘progress and modernity repertoire’ presents fitness culture as something new and growing, mentioning more gym memberships, lots of exercise videos, and the use of fitness trackers. This makes exercise seem like part of a modern, forward-looking lifestyle. In contrast, the ‘crisis repertoire’ describes Britain as a “chronically unwell” country with rising mental health problems, especially among children and young people, and points out the challenges caused by inactive lifestyles and social inequality. The ‘economic insecurity repertoire’ is also present, suggesting that Generation Z’s interest in fitness might be driven by “economic insecurity and status anxiety”, so fitness is seen not just as a health choice but also as a reaction to wider social and economic pressures.
Looking at ‘ideological dilemmas’ shows the tensions or contradictions in people’s beliefs or ways of talking. These happen because people often have conflicting ideas or values, and language shows this struggle. The Guardian article contains several such dilemmas about fitness and health.
One dilemma is ‘health as individual responsibility versus structural inequality’. The article says that exercise is a personal responsibility and talks about the benefits of being fit and the rise in healthy habits. But it also recognises that there are bigger barriers, like social and economic differences, that stop some people from joining in with fitness culture. This shows a wider debate in public health about whether health is down to personal choice or shaped by society.
Another dilemma is ‘fitness culture as health promotion versus body image pressures’. The article praises fitness culture for its health benefits but also warns about its downsides, like a “preoccupation with personal appearance” that can be “debilitating”. This shows that fitness culture can be both good for wellbeing and also lead to unhealthy obsessions with looks.
There is also a tension between ‘generational optimism and societal decline’. The article presents Generation Z as a hopeful sign for the future of fitness, possibly reversing the trend of inactivity. At the same time, it talks about a society in decline, with more mental health problems and more people living sedentary lives. This reflects a wider tension between hope for young people and worry about the direction of society.
Finally, the article uses several ‘discursive devices’ and ‘rhetorical strategies’ – these are ways of using language to persuade or make arguments stronger. The article often uses contrast and juxtaposition, setting up two different stories about fitness in Britain: a growing fitness culture versus a mostly inactive and unhealthy population. This creates a sense of complexity and encourages readers to think more deeply about the issue. It also uses statistics, like “11.5m gym memberships” and “16.9% of people aged 16 or over”, to make its points more convincing and to show that fitness culture is a real and important trend. Expert testimony, such as quotes from Professor Sir Stephen Powis and mentions of “landmark trials”, adds authority to the claims about exercise. The article uses metaphors and descriptive language, like “groups in stretchy Lycra” and “the internet is awash with exercise videos”, to paint a vivid and relatable picture of fitness culture. Finally, it appeals to values like health, progress, and equality, linking fitness to the NHS’s 10-year plan and presenting exercise as something that should be available to everyone.
In summary, from a critical discursive psychology point of view, this article in The Guardian shows that fitness and health are complicated issues shaped by personal choices, social inequalities, and cultural trends. By using subject positions, interpretive repertoires, ideological dilemmas, and rhetorical strategies, the article reflects wider debates about responsibility, privilege, and the role of public policy in health. In the end, it highlights the tensions between the benefits of fitness culture and its challenges, such as social barriers and body image pressures. The article encourages readers to think carefully about how fitness is experienced and talked about in Britain today, showing it as both a personal goal and a shared responsibility shaped by wider social factors.
Links:
The Guardian (2025) ‘The Guardian view on fitness: evidence of the benefits of exercise keeps growing, but who is listening?’ Available at: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/the-guardian-view-on-fitness-evidence-of-the-benefits-of-exercise-keeps-growing-but-who-is-listening/ar-AA1GnNUZ?ocid=socialshare (Accessed: 16 June 2025).
