Discovering exercise is a way for Cole to start taking control of his emotions. It’s a tool he can use to turn his mind to healthier, more productive thoughts—something the novel suggests is important for anyone who wants to make their life more meaningful. Significantly, even though Nathaniel Blackwood ends his relationship with Cole, Cole doesn’t hold this against his dad or get angry. This suggests that Cole is emotionally distancing himself from his dad—and he sees that his dad is just trying to gain the upper hand in response to the child abuse accusations.