Movement Through the Ages: How Exercise Shapes Our Lives—And How Life Shapes Our Movement

Yesterday, Malin Zaki and I had our first day of recording semi-structured interviews for our documentary project, “Träning genom livet.” So far, this is a pilot project, and we wanted to listen to elderly people's stories about how movement has shaped their lives and/or how life has shaped their way of moving.

I’ve known Malin for a long time through the fitness industry, and our paths have crossed many times over the years. She has a long and successful background as a dancer and choreographer, and today she works with film, screenwriting, and production. I’m very thankful to have reconnected with Malin and for the opportunity to explore this direction together, seamlessly collaborating once again.

A huge thank you to all participants in the initial interviews for taking the time to share your stories. We look forward to uncovering themes from your experiences with exercise and aging. Every story matters—a lot.

There are excellent guidelines for physical activity throughout the lifespan according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, beyond these guidelines and the frequent message that physical activity is a powerful ingredient for health, we all must cope with the unpredictability of life as it unfolds. We face both internal and external barriers that can pull us away from where we want to be, who we want to become, and how we want to feel or look…

Many people hold a strong belief that we must become weak and fragile as we age, but is that really true? How will our coping strategies evolve over the years, and how will acceptance intertwine with this process?

In some ways, I feel that the more I learn, the less I know. Yet with that feeling, I can see more clearly how important our relationship with ourselves is in the equation of life and in the integration of movement. Exercise goes far beyond intensity, sets, and reps—it can reshape one's life.

Here are some snapshots from our day of recording at Konstkollektivet in Mölndal.

//Magnus Ringberg