GUEST EDITORIAL: 10 Movies For Fitness Lovers
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10 Movies for Fitness Lovers
by Kevin Gardner
Movies can have a significant impact on everyday life. Although their primary focus is to entertain, their influence affects your mood, behavior and sometimes even your speech. For fitness enthusiasts, some films inspire them to push harder in a workout or experiment with a new technique. The movies aren’t limited to ones with fitness-related plots, but they typically feature a well-known actor in excellent shape performing amazing feats. Here are the top ten films that fitness experts love.
Chariots of Fire
The 1981 film, Chariots of Fire is an outstanding movie beloved by runners from around the world. The story involves two British runners who compete in the 1924 Olympics. Both of the athletes overcome personal struggles and become world-famous for their Olympic performances. The film’s race scenes are inspirational even for non-athletes, and the theme music is catchy and memorable.
Pumping Iron
The world of bodybuilding was never the same after Pumping Iron. The documentary-style film depicts a group of bodybuilders preparing for the Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia competitions. Without help from health supplements or a thrive patch, the competitors train hard to unseat Arnold Swarzenegger as the Mr. Olympia title holder. Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno are the standouts in the movie, and they inspired several generations of men to get fit and try bodybuilding.
Flashdance
Jennifer Beals’ performance of struggling a young steelworker with bigger aspirations was a massive hit. Flashdance was one of the highest-grossing films of 1983. The catchy soundtrack was soon played in aerobics classes around the country, and Beals’ iconic dance scene where she dumps water over her body cannot be missed.
Million Dollar Baby
Million Dollar Baby follows an up-and-coming young boxer (Hilary Swank) who convinces a veteran trainer (Clint Eastwood) to take her on as his first female trainee. Swank’s transformation from a skinny contender with a big heart to a powerhouse fighter with bulging muscles is extraordinary. The training scenes and brutal fight sequences may convince you to hit the gym or the boxing ring.
Rocky III
Although any of the Rocky films can inspire you to go work out, Rocky III is a favorite among fitness experts. After losing a fight to Clubber Lang (Mr. T.), Rocky teams up with Apollo Creed to train for a rematch. Rocky and Apollo’s training run on the beach showcase the actors at the peak of their physical health.
Rocky IV
The Italian Stallion returns to the ring in Rocky IV to take on the Soviet Union’s deadliest boxer. Although the story of an American boxer battling a Russian fighter amid the Cold War is ridiculous, the exciting boxing sequences and training montage help you forget about the inadequate plot. Rocky’s blue-collar training program in Siberia is contrasted with Ivan Drago’s polished indoor regimen. Although Russian stereotypes and paranoia are on full display, Stallone (aged 39 in 1985) steals the show.
Rambo III
Sylvester Stallone shows off his physique once again in Rambo III. Unlike his appearance in Rocky IV, Stallone appears less bulky but more ripped. He travels to Afghanistan to save his friend and battle the Russians. Rambo’s stick fight scene in the film’s opening is a highlight for fitness lovers.
The Karate Kid
The story of the new kid in town bullied by Karate jocks became an instant classic in 1984. The Karate Kid made every child in the 1980s want to learn martial arts. It spawned two sequels and a remake, but the original is superior.
Raging Bull
Robert De Niro’s portrayal of troubled boxer Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull changed the way filmmakers treat boxing. The black and white film depicts the sport’s violence in greater detail than any movie made before or since.
Conan the Barbarian
Schwarzenegger’s bulky barbarian battles a cult that slaughtered his family in Conan the Barbarian. The actor’s shirtless muscles are on full display for the entire film, and audiences were stunned by the violent action and physical prowess of Swarzenegger.
Hollywood has produced many films with toned-up actors showing their skills, but the previous selections are the cream of the crop for fitness fanatics.
