Adrian Chiles recently shared his reflections on an existential crisis triggered by an attempt to do press-ups, an exercise he used to perform regularly. In a candid account, he described how he decided to revisit this calisthenic classic after being reminded of its benefits during a session of doomscrolling.
Adrian Chiles: what to know
Memories of the Past
Chiles recounted that he used to do 20 to 30 press-ups most days, a habit that began in 1985 while he was working for his father’s scaffolding company. A colleague, Andy, had pointed out that Chiles’ arms were “puny” and encouraged him to start doing press-ups. This advice led to a noticeable increase in his arm strength.
A Struggle with Fitness
However, when Chiles attempted to do press-ups again, he found himself unable to push his body back up after lowering himself to the floor. Despite his efforts, he could not complete even a single proper press-up, which left him feeling alarmed and reflective about the passage of time and his physical decline.
Chiles noted that this experience was not isolated. He recalled other moments that highlighted the effects of aging, such as trying to skateboard with a friend’s teenage son and realizing he could no longer maintain balance. Additionally, he mentioned a failed attempt to return to football after a leg injury, where he found that he could not handle the impact of landing after making a save.
These experiences led Chiles to reconsider the notion that skills, once learned, remain intact over time. He expressed concern that even riding a bike might now be beyond him. Despite these challenges, he remains determined to build up to performing at least one full press-up in the near future.
Chiles is a broadcaster, writer, and columnist for The Guardian.