The Theology Of Gym Going

MAKE WORSHIPING GOD YOUR #1 PURPOSE FOR GOING TO THE GYM

Some of the most fit people in the world struggle with control issues. That may or may not surprise you. But think of it this way: the muscle-head cannot miss a day at the gym because they’ll lose their gains, they’ll get fat, or in some really expedited way, they’ll become unattractive. What really motivates some to such levels of physique and fitness? Fear [not purpose]. The fear of losing something. As a biblical counselor, I’ve seen how the root of fear in the heart of man is often a desire for control. And fitness fits well within this desire for control: workouts, nutritional plans, and constant monitoring of how you look.

For others it’s not a fear of losing but a fear of man. Fear of man demonstrates itself in gym culture by seductive dressing, scantily dressed workouts, or gym bros that posture—as if their lats are always spread! A deep sense of insecurity in who you are in Christ can push you to the gym. Everyone on the outside will say, “Wow, look how good you look …” or “Dude, you look big!” But on the inside, we would be less confident in our identity in Christ if we had a belly. Seriously, as if our eternal condition lies within our body fat index.

In order to build a theology of gym-going, you must identify what drives you to the gym in the first place. Why are you there? In this brief article, I hope to show you that going to the gym is an act of worship and then give you five practical applications to help do that.

THIS IS WHY!

As a Christian, connect your purpose in life to the purpose of the gym. You were made to glorify God (Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 10:31). All things exist for the glory of God (Rom. 11:36) and are being sustained so that Christ would be head over all (Col. 1:18). Your muscles are for the glory of God. Your physique is for the glory of God. Your health is for the glory of God. Seriously, I don’t intend to be trivial about this. Your body exists to glorify God. Consider 1 Corinthians 6:20, which was written in the context of sexual immorality: “for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

So why do you work out? To glorify God in the process of working out. That is the primary motivation. Secondary motivations are to be healthy, feel good, look good, but the primary motivation of going to the gym is about worship. We want Christ to be honored in our bodies—whether home or away (2 Cor. 5:9)—so we work out. If we are not motivated by glorifying God and becoming more like Jesus, we have bad motivations for working out. Perhaps not only bad motivations, but idolatrous motivations? That central thrust of worship is what should keep you going to the gym without getting immersed into the gym culture of our age.

HOW TO GIVE YOUR GYM GOING – – – PURPOSE!

You might say, “Thanks, Dr. G, that’s obvious. How do I practically do this?” The answer to that question is how I’d like to finish this article.

1. Set a balanced goal of rest and work out days. Identify what good stewardship of your time and priorities looks like with how many days you should work out and how many days you should rest. My guess is that for most adults reading this, you should work out 2-4 times per week. That’s going to the gym no less than two days and no more than four days. Why set this goal? Because I can be fearful of losing gains, so I go six days per week. Or, I am struggling to be disciplined with my time so I go one day per week. Set a clear goal for your work out days and stick to it, no matter how you feel or how busy you believe you are.
2. Use your gym time to renew your mind with the truth of Scripture.Instead of listening to your favorite 90’s band, listen to sermons, podcasts, Scripture, and content that has the Bible in it. Use that one-hour(ish) time period to renew your mind with the truth of Scripture. I started doing this recently after the encouragement of a younger brother in Christ and it was great. I now see the work out as an extension of my Bible study in the morning. (Listen to this episode of Transformed “Does God Care About Your Workout Routine?” here or in the Spotify link below.)
3. Try not to wear clothing that would be unhelpful for a person to see you in. I’m often surprised at guys and girls that dress in such immodest ways when they go to the gym. Then, there are very vulnerable positions that you put yourself in when working out. Trust me, you don’t need spandex to lift more weight or help you not sweat. Glorify God in the way you dress when going to the gym.
4. Eat a balanced diet (not extreme one). Many gym goers refuse anything with less than 75g of protein in it. If Arnold said I need to have 230g of protein per day, then I need to have 230g of protein per day, right? Nope. All food is a gift from the Lord and is not to be rejected when received with thanksgiving (1 Tim. 4:3-4). You need to eat ice cream to the glory of God. You need to have a cookie to the glory of God. Why? Because those things are created by God and—in moderation—are very good. If you cannot eat sugar without fear, then you have gone too far.
5. Aim to be functional for Christ, not have bodybuilder status. Honestly, Crossfitters annoy all of us, right? The screaming, the jumping, the hi-jacking of all the weights in the gym. When we workout, our goal is to be healthy to be able to serve the Lord. Our goal is not to be the “fittest person on the planet” as Crossfit Games have called themselves. If I go to the gym and cannot do as many reps as the Crossfitter screaming on the squat rack, I am OK. My goal is to be healthy to glorify God, not beat them in squats. In fact, this is a great check of my motivation: when someone is “fitter” than I am, do I still work out with equal motivation? Go to the gym to be the “fittest to serve Christ” not the “fittest person on the planet.”

In the end, our bodies are wasting away (2 Cor. 4:16). What’s the point of working out with that in mind? Worship. That’s it. That’s our purpose. Our gym going is a means of making much of Christ. Don’t forget that next time you’re going to the gym.

THINK ABOUT IT – TALK ABOUT IT

Use these questions for personal reflection or small group discussion:

1. Dig into your brain and take a moment and recall what you’ve thought people might be thinking of you when you’re at the gym. If it’s easier, remember some of the things you’ve thought about others at the gym. What shapes those thoughts? Are they accurate? How do they affect you and your relationship with God? How could praying while at the gym reshape our thoughts, remove fear and arrest our need for control?
2. When Dr. Gifford says your muscles, physique and your health are for the glory of God, what does that mean to you? What are your perspectives on body-image and how do those perspectives affect you and others? What does Christ mean by “follow me” and how is it possible to do that at the gym?
3. What habits, attitudes, mindsets, desires and lies do you need to stop in your gym going lifestyle? What would it look like if you were to more passionately and intentionally practice worshiping God at the gym? What scares or excites you if you we’re to truly gooooo with God?