From the Olympic Games to modern gym rats and jazzercise, award-winning American author Bill Hayes analyzes the historical developments of exercise.

More than ever, our society seems obsessed with health and fitness.

We are constantly looking for the latest trends in dieting and workout regimens, and the wellness industry is exploding.

But our obsession with exercise isn't new. For centuries, humans have been enjoying exercise, though the methods and goals have changed throughout history.

Bill Hayes is an American non-fiction writer known for his work for the New York Times and his 2017 memoir Insomniac City.

Published in 2022, Sweat: A History of Exercise combines autobiographical prose and scientific data to understand exercise's historical forms, interpretations, and modern meanings.