Clown Cardio and Court Jesters
Is the Entertainment Industry and Mainstream Media Taking Fitness Seriously?
I recently read an article published in the New York Times titled “Clown Cardio Doesn’t Take Exercise Seriously,” about a fitness-themed class that combines cardiovascular exercise with the art of clowning. I’m a big proponent of play-based learning and living artfully (i.e. living with purpose and incorporating creativity into everyday experiences), which is essentially the impetus behind theatrical forms like clowning.
Clowns employ a lot of physical elements into their work, which fluctuates between acrobatics and acting. I had the good fortune to attend circus camp for a week one summer, and it was really mentally and physically taxing! It takes a lot of strength and endurance to make grueling physical labor seem fun and lighthearted; but that’s what clowns do so well.
My philosophy is that the crux of personal training is empowering diverse individuals and groups to enjoy themselves and practice good self-care. I hear from people all the time that it’s hard to commit to any sort of personal care routine in our fast paced, capitalist driven society. That’s why I find something like clown cardio to be intriguing. It helps us to pause the pressure of our quotidian duties, while elevating our heart rate and building strength and self esteem.
Although the New York Times’ article is well written and an important expose on diversifying fitness, I have an issue with the title. Clown cardio does take fitness very seriously. Any form of exercise should be done with a high level of sincerity, and clowning is no exception to that notion. As someone who works as a professional writer/editor, I understand that titles are utilized as “clickbait” in our digital age. But that practice leads people who just glance at headlines and bylines without actually reading the article to make assumptions without any real context. And according to both professional studies and my own anecdotal evidence and experience, this is true of a large majority of the population.
The idea of joyful and flamboyant fitness isn’t novel. When considering the jollification of exercise, the most obvious name that comes to mind is Richard Simmons. As a theater kid who loved dancing and musicals, I was enthralled by Simmons’ brand of theatrical workouts. Everything from his outfits to the way he choreographed exercises was as entertaining as it was educational. And that’s the crux behind functional fitness, it needs to have a balance of fun and function in order to keep laypersons engaged. Prior to fitness, his background was as a thespian. Being typecast as a larger character motivated him to take up exercising.
Known for being a media darling and an unabashedly outgoing celebrity, it has been somewhat of a culture shock that Simmons has been reclusive for over a decade. With the state of the world, I don’t blame him. Heck, I’ve been enjoying a very introverted life myself. On more than one occasion I’ve thought about Simmons while working out at home. He has resurfaced in the spotlight, but not because of his own efforts. Comedian Pauly Shore created a ten minute short film “inspired” by Simmons, and has been campaigning to create a feature length Richard Simmons biopic. Shore has been unable to get Simmons’ blessing, which is no surprise. But the short film, which is titled The Court Jester, will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. And a feature length film seems to be destined for production regardless of Simmons' approval.
You don't need approval to make a biopic about a living figure, but you do need to be truthful to the subject in order to avoid being accused of libeling them. And while a feature film about one of my fitness heroes sounds great, I am somewhat at odds with the idea of a comedian, known for his lowbrow style of humor, making a film about a person that has changed so many people’s lives. The title, while an actual quote from Simmons (“I do consider myself a clown and a court jester, and I do love to make people laugh, whether they're laughing with me or at me”), makes it sound as if the film will be focusing on Simmons’ clown-like persona. It makes me wonder what exactly Shore is trying to say/express about Simmons’ persona? He claims that the biopic will be “more dramatic than funny,” and could save lives; but that seems disingenuous upfront based on his unwillingness to empathize with Simmons’ wishes to be left out of the public eye. While part of me wants to protest the film, I will likely be compelled to see it.
The trailer for the short film looks quite neutral, and even uplifting, so I could be proven wrong. But like the New York Times’ byline for the article on clown fitness, there’s an element of hyperbole, sensationalism and minimizing of health and wellness when it's referred to as not being serious. Clowns can be serious. Richard Simmons’ impetus for becoming a fitness influencer had very solemn beginnings. Nevertheless, he was able to turn the trauma of body dysmorphia into transformational change for himself and others, and that’s certainly nothing to joke about.