Andersen Ross/Digital Vision/Getty Images
-
Health
Blog
- Health
-
Health
Slideshow
The New York Times has a cool new catch phrase they'd like to see take off: Sweatworking. It's what happens when you combine working out with networking for professional reasons, by taking a prospective client to your spin class or a boxing lesson.
Now, when I say "you," I don't necessarily mean that you, personally are doing this -- because I'm sure not, and I don't know anyone who is. But the Times assures us that it's all the rage among "health-conscious professionals seeking a wholesome new way to bond with clients and colleagues." Apparently, Mad Men-style martini lunches and steak dinners take their toll after awhile, and Wall Street traders, advertising executives and reality-show producers are delighted to have a way to entertain clients that doesn't leave them with a hangover and high blood pressure. Plus, for the price of one steak dinner, you can take 5 different clients to one of those $30 spin classes. In this economy, every dime helps.
All of which sounds pretty reasonable. After all, human beings didn't evolve just to sit at desks and restaurant tables for 40+ hours every week. Some experts say all that time sitting could be one of the biggest public health threats around. We're constantly hearing how we should try to incorporate more physical activity into our work life for the good of our hearts and minds -- take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk over to a co-worker instead of sending an email. Even standing desks -- so you can literally get off your bum all day long -- has become something of a mini-trend, or so says the Wall Street Journal. Working out while you work (or at least, network) is taking it to the next level.
But I have a few logistical questions: How does business dress, or even business casual, translate to workout wear? (The New York Times says the key is to wear Lululemon and other status brands, but what if a girl doesn't want to drop $100 on pants that she only wears to get sweaty in? Is Target acceptable?) What do you do in the locker room, if you happen to be meeting with a colleague of the same gender -- but don't necessarily want to see or be seen in the buff?
And what happens if you are significantly more or less in shape than the client you're courting? In the current economy, where unemployment is hovering around 9 percent and size discrimination may be the new glass ceiling, I'm not sure people need the added pressure of having to add "killer at Pilates" to their resumes. And in our culture, where health and beauty are so easily confused, I fear it will be all too easy for this "workout while you work" trend to become more about showing off sixpack abs than really about promoting health.
But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe this won't turn the ordinary business meeting -- a chance to showcase your professional talents -- into a flashback from my 10th grade gym class. Instead, it could help busy people easily fit some stress-relieving physical activity into their jampacked schedules. And if it helps your career in the process? I've definitely heard of worse reasons to hit the gym.
