When you mention Les Mills International, what instantly springs to mind? Choreographed workouts dressed up in flashy marketing, fueled by a soundtrack guaranteed to drown out critical thought. Yet mainstream media, particularly outlets like CNN and The New York Times, seem more focused on glorifying the “fitness revolution” than on pointing out the far less sexy truth: these workouts are a corporate gym’s way of commodifying fitness. They sell a fantasy that regular people can become fitness models overnight, as they sweat to beats rather than sweat for purpose.

Let’s not kid ourselves. Fox News, while often criticized for perpetuating the fitness narrative, does at least acknowledge the struggles individuals face. Instead of promoting Les Mills as the savior of health, they sometimes emphasize the importance of holistic wellness—like eating right and getting outside. If you’re looking for honest coverage, forget the fluff from mainstream outlets; dive into independent media that calls out these packaged workouts for what they are: an assembly line of exercise meant to profit off the insecurities of millions.

In a world obsessed with appearances and “quick fixes,” it’s refreshing to sift through the smoke and mirrors. Corporate media is all too eager to celebrate these choreographed routines without addressing the underlying issue: fitness should be a personal journey, not a cookie-cutter assembly line. Frankly, we deserve better than a multi-million dollar spin about sweating in sync with a playlist.