Miss Piggy's Aerobique Exercise Workout Album
Transform "Boaring" Workouts with Authenticity and Authority
I was messaged by a friend asking me if I had “any tips for someone who desperately wants/needs to get in shape but can’t find that extra push?”
Along with some traditionally structured advice, I added, “and always have a good playlist on hand. That often is the key to helping me go the extra mile.”
One of the joys of exercise is doing it to the beat and rhythm of a great soundtrack. Listening to music is a total body experience in and of itself. When it’s combined with a workout, music is an incredibly dynamic motivator for pushing yourself and performing at a high level.
Since 2020, I have created over 800 YouTube music playlists to accompany my exercise sessions. I basically make a playlist a day. The genre of music varies, mostly consisting of loud and high octane stuff, typically including (but not limited to): EDM (electronic dance music), industrial, new wave, goth rock, post-punk and metal.
In order to make these playlists, I am on a frequent exploratory mission for new music. Oftentimes, the combination of my music consumption and fitness related content viewing triggers YouTube’s algorithm in delightful ways.
An example was a suggestion for cultural icon Miss Piggy’s Miss Piggy's Aerobique Exercise Workout Album. Analyzing the cover alone, it’s clear that this album is a parody of the 1980s aerobic exercise zeitgeist, especially Jane Fonda's Workout, which I tried and wrote about (see: “I did the Jane Fonda Workout”). The album identifies itself as the antithesis of actual working out, i.e. no lifting heavy things, getting out of breath and no “boring calisthenics.”
While it’s doubtful that my future playlists will feature any of the tracks, which include bangers such as Snackcercise, an ode to snacking, and Lift the One You Love; the album is a total joy and a gem within the Muppets oeuvre. I love it, because it serves as a reminder that if you’re not having fun and respecting yourself when working out, you’re doing it all wrong.
From conversations I’ve had with people who are frustrated with exercise, their biggest turn off is the dogma surrounding fitness and wellness regimen. I’ve personally seen examples of trainers whose tone and approach could use some conditioning. Tough love can be applied without being pedantic and didactic. It’s not our job to admonish people who come to us for fitness advice and help getting in shape. Exhibiting empathy in order to understand their unique experiences can make a big impact, which is as important as vigorous motivational coaching. Fitness is not a one-size-fits all endeavor. The best forms of personal training takes the humanity of the person into account, and treats them as an individual with very specific desires and cultural identities, rather than just a body and mind to mold.
Sometimes it takes a synthetic entity like a puppet to remind us of our natural humanity. This is why art can have a profound impact on how we understand collective culture and other people’s lived experiences. Although Miss Piggy’s album is a parody of fitness and wellness culture, she is quite arguably the most fit and athletic of the Muppets, demonstrating skills in karate and rollerskating.
What has made Miss Piggy such an enduring figure is the way she displays her strength through personal and physical feats. She’s a fashionista and exhibits the persona of a romantic, but she bucks the typical trends associated with fashion and romance. She is very much in her own element while setting out to achieve her goals.
The saying “you can’t put lipstick on a pig” means that making superficial, plastic or cosmetic changes to something or someone is often a futile effort to disguise fundamental issues. Personal training and exercise can be detrimental to body positivity by setting superficial standards and/or outcomes, or it can be truly transformative. It’s largely dependent on how we establish and express a genuine form of love and respect for ourselves.
If we take heed from Miss Piggy, we realize the possibilities of putting lipstick on a pig (literally) and showing the world who’s boss in a meaningful and authentic manner. Fitness doesn’t have to be “boaring” (pun intended) and generic, nor should you try to “ham it up” (pun also intended). In order to motivate yourself to get into a fitness-minded groove, take an approach that focuses on fun, functionality and pride in yourself.