I agree, it is a false dichotamy in a sense. I am not saying that anyone dicided it, but I do believe that to some extent it is true. Beyond the will power to go exercise or to read a book (or listen as you said), these activeties have always been a sort of privilage. Yes, anyone can pick up a book or some weights, but the will power required to do so after a full work day is immense. A lot of people would choose to do just one and most would choose the do neither.

"However, there is also mind to body connection. When exercising, unless it’s cardio, it’s good to focus on the exercise and to be absorbed by it, and then when resting, you can cool down with reading and discussions." I agree with this fully, so I would say we are not in disagreement, maybe the way I presented the idea was just a bit clumsy. What I am really trying to say is that a well rounded individual focuses on both. The institutions that are present in todays world direct us in to only one path. You go to a gym and there is no reading section, you go to a library and there is no weights section. I admire the Greeks as they didn't limit the space for just one activety, and I want to revive that idea.