(Exercise) Effort is a continuum; a spectrum of choices. We tend to believe that the value of exercise lies at one end of that continuum. The hard end. The one that leaves spent, exhausted, bent over with hands on our knees, gasping for air, barely able to continue. (Note: this is the easy version of hard - sort of like throwing all of the leftovers and discards from your fridge into a pot, calling it "soup" - this does not earn you "chef" status)
We pride ourselves on "surviving" workouts that bring us to the brink of our effort-generating abilities.
What is that about? (Feel free to comment below)
There is a lot of activity among exercisers at the other end of the effort spectrum. We call it things like "stretching", "physio exercises" and "rehab" - even if they have nothing to do with any of those things. These are just synonyms for "easy", because easy is somehow shameful.
Respect for the whole effort continuum is a must, and "easy" has its place. Where you choose land on the exercise effort spectrum and why is the more important consideration.