Future-proofing Fitness Culture

How 'Internet Values' Will Bring Humanity Back to Health

Good morning, Citizens!

Today, I want to dive into something a bit different:

The idea of “Western values” has become a muddy topic recently and it’s often not a helpful term because (for better and for worse) people have lots of different interpretations of what it means to talk about “The West”.

Because of this, I’m making a shift in the way I talk about my own values in health and fitness as using the term “western values” is no longer a helpful framework to communicate what I actually find important and virtuous.

Instead, I want to align the work I do with “Internet Values”

This term has been coined by Balaji Srinivasan, one of my favourite outside-the-box thinkers on the ways technology is influencing the course of history.

‘Internet Values’ are not just shaping the tech world but have far-reaching implications for how we live, work, and even train in the gym.

Here is a breakdown of the six main ‘internet values’ that drive smart, hardworking people in their use of the internet and related technologies:

1. Decentralisation: Shifting authority from from large central institutions to individuals.

2. Meritocracy: Offering reward according to talent and work and results, not background or connections.

3. Transparency: Requiring honesty, accountability, and evidence in all dealings.

4. Open Access: Making information and tools accessible to as many people as possible.

5. Interoperability: Creating systems and organisations that operate together harmoniously.

6. Empowerment: Enabling people to take control of their lives in meaningful ways.

These values have grown out of the internet age in the same way that western values grew out of Christendom.

“But what's this got to do with fitness?"

Bear with me …

Imagine a community, maybe even a world, where these aren't just buzzwords but the cornerstones of how we function.

In my own way (starting with the body!) I want to create a place where these values shine through so that everyone gets the chance to reach their potential.

Here’s how we can do that together …

Decentralisation

You can either follow a top-down plan that someone just forces you into whether you like it or not …

or you can take a more bottom-up approach that evolves and adapts to your individual real-world experience and needs.

This is one of the main reasons I have spent the last three years developing software to create workout plans that are based on the inputs of the person that is actually doing the workout.

No two workout plans are exactly the same from start to finish because no two trainees are exactly the same!

By taking this approach, you are going to be far more invested in what you are doing because it's something you have contributed to and made decisions about. You're not just grinding away at a workout plan because you 'should,' you're doing it because it's yours.

All the time, I see fitness programs designed in a way that pays no attention to the particular situation of the individual, giving them no say in how their own plan plays out.

And this isn’t just true for workouts.

Fitness isn’t about following arbitrary rules that have no connection to your personal conditions and situations. I’m here to help get you to where YOU want to be and learn through experience to regain control where you might feel it’s been lost.

When everyone feels like they have ownership, responsibility, and control in their lives, everybody benefits.

Meritocracy

This is about rewarding the right things. We don’t give out treats and privileges to people that don’t put in the work that warrants receiving them.

In a fitness context, it means there's no shortcut, no magic pill, and definitely no overnight transformation. It’s you, putting in the work, seeing the changes in direct correspondence to the consistent application of appropriate action.

Implicit in the value of meritocracy is ‘equality of opportunity’. It's not necessarily about everyone getting the same results, but it is about everyone getting an equal the chance at realising their own goals. This is why I put so much information out there for free at Gymnasion.net

If you follow the templates and methods outlined on the website you will see results but they will happen according to the work you put in. I am giving you all the tools you need to succeed based on your own merit and effort.

So, if you're up for the grind and willing to put in the work, you will get the rewards!

Transparency

This is vital for a successful fitness journey. Data is your best friend. It provides a clear, unbiased picture of your progress, so there's no room for self-deception or inflated egos.

Being transparent about your goals, efforts, and results means you can trust that there is integrity between what you are saying about yourself and what you are actually doing.

Transparency is more than just being open; it's about using reliable data to guide your actions and decisions. It keeps you honest and accountable, not just to yourself, but to the community you're part of.

The name "Gymnasion" originates from the ancient Greek word 'gymnos,' meaning 'naked.' For me this obviously isn't about nudity, but rather a metaphorical nakedness that aligns perfectly with the value of transparency.

In a space where everything is laid bare, there's no room for deception or false pretences. Your progress, driven by objective data and critical self-assessment, becomes an open book.

Just as ancient Greek athletes trained in the nude to show they had nothing to hide, I encourage a form of openness where everyone is clear about who they really are.

Open Access

I believe that having an “elite” class is a GOOD thing.

The chosen few who get access to the best of the best. However, the 'Open Access' value turns the traditional concept of "elite" on its head. Instead of being an exclusive club, elite status can be made attainable by anyone who chooses to make the climb.

The resources are already available to you and with the inspiration and support from those that have gone before us, all that’s required from you is the initiative to engage with them.

In this 'Open Access' environment, elite status isn’t a birthright or a privilege; it's an aspiration that's entirely within your reach and a position that comes with the responsibility of showing others the way.

Once you embark on this journey, you’re not just benefiting from the collective wisdom, you're adding to it! Your experiences, your struggles, and your victories become waypoints for others.

So, when you hear the term "elite," think not of barriers but of possibilities. The door isn’t locked; it's wide open. All you have to do is step through it and start the journey, turning back to help others who choose the same path.

Interoperability

In tech jargon, interoperability refers to the idea that different systems and platforms can work together seamlessly.

For us that means what you achieve in the gym should amplify your capabilities in other areas of life. The strength you build lifting weights? That should translate into mental clarity, improved focus, and greater courage in your relationships and career.

Think of your body and mind as interconnected platforms.

The gains you make in one area should 'interoperate' with the other areas of your life…

• Lifting weights can give you the confidence to take on greater challenges outside the gym.

• Adhering to a disciplined diet can cultivate the self-control needed in other pursuits.

You're not just building muscle or losing weight; you're engineering a holistic upgrade to your life.

The idea is to create a synergy, where the total effect of your improvements is greater than the sum of its parts.

You're not just collecting isolated benefits; you're weaving them into a comprehensive tapestry that reinforces itself and benefits you as a whole.

Empowerment

In the grand scheme of your fitness journey, what we're truly chasing is more than a beautiful body, it's about growing in a broader sense of vitality that fuels everything you do.

With each committed effort in the gym or smart dietary choice, you're not just shaping your body; you're sculpting a lifestyle that generates a mindset of prosperity and abundance. A willingness to spend effort, confident that there is always more available. Not just materially but emotionally and mentally as well.

Empowerment is about our collected efforts finding their full expression. It's that felt sense of agency you get when you have confidence in your capability to steer your life in the direction that is best for you and those around you.

Each rep, each meal, each laboured breath is fuelled by this power that you can access by making the decision to put yourself to work.

You just have to be willing to take the next step.

It's not just about the you of today, but the you of tomorrow and the days after. It's a cycle of self-fulfilment that not only has rewards for you for now but also extends beyond you, uplifting those around you, even as you rise.

And the real beauty of all this is this isn't a solo mission.

As you live in this newfound strength, your actions invite others to embark on their own journeys of transformation, multiplying the effects of your efforts.

…

In a world where our lives are increasingly mediated by screens, algorithms, and systems beyond our understanding, adopting these ‘internet values’ can offer a refreshing return to humanity in an age of technology.

Your fitness journey, influenced by these principles, becomes a powerful microcosm of how we can shape a better living environment for ourselves and those around us.

You don't have to be a tech guru to appreciate internet values. They're actually rooted in ancient wisdom that already sits at the foundation of humanity’s greatest past achievements.

Whether you're stepping into a gym for the first time or redefining your fitness goals, these principles offer a framework for not just physical wellness but also the health of our communities both locally and globally, linked by the world wide web.

• Which of the six internet values do you think is most important for your own fitness journey?

• Do you agree that focusing on internet values could create a more empowering fitness culture?

Comment below or send me a message. My handle is @GymnasiOnUK on Youtube, Twitter, Substack, and Instagram.

Like, Subscribe, Share, Bookmark, so you don’t miss the next post and take a look at Gymnasion.net for free stuff to help with your health and fitness.

See ya!