You often hear these popular though incorrect statements in the literature and discussions supposedly regarding exercise. We have recently recognized that there are five distinct differences between exercise and recreation. Exercise is a logical strategy to dupe the protective mechanisms of the body. Properly applied, exercise requires a clinically-controlled setting to check our instincts. Exercise necessarily pits the intellect against the instincts.
Recreation is illogical.
It is instinctual. It is whimsical. It is activity that we would prefer to do. Therefore, the general principles and application of exercise are the same for every human being on the planet. Exercise is therefore universal.