The Evolution of Fitness Training: From Ancients to Modern Times

Any exercise session is considered to be working out. However, Irsquo;m going to assume that you specifically mean weight training in its various forms. Since many people seem to think the two terms are analogous, they are not. Right around the turn of the century, the late 1800s, is when things began to change. Prior to this, people lifting weights were primarily sideshow ldquo;strongmen.rdquo; But with the introduction of more sophisticated training methods and better equipment, the first actual ldquo;bodybuildingrdquo; competition was held right around 1908.

It took a while for bodybuilding to gain traction as many calisthenic exercise gurus were afraid of losing business and started spreading lies and rumors. They claimed that people would become slow or ldquo;muscleboundrdquo; as a result, but this was all untrue. The sports world was shocked when Russian high jumper Valery Brumel became the first jumper to clear seven feet in the high jump. He had been incorporating weights into his training program, which was essentially unheard of at the time.

A Very Long Time Ago: Ancients and Military Techniques

A very long time ago, and primarily as an adjunct to military activities, our ancestors didnrsquo;t need to ldquo;work outrdquo; to achieve a reasonable state of fitness as everything they did was physical. Soldiers needed to train, and the ancient Olympic Games of the Greeks were all designed to hone the skills they needed in warfare, such as running, throwing the javelin, jumping, and wrestling. They had specific training techniques for all these martial sports and used various kinds of weights much as we do now.

The Romans, on the other hand, studied how efficiently their soldiers could fight. They found that a well-trained man could fight ldquo;on the linerdquo; at top efficiency for about 12 minutes. After that, he would fall back to rest and be replaced with a fresh soldier. Their methods were highly efficient and focused on both physical and mental endurance.

From German Culture to Widespread Acceptance in the U.S.

In the United States, the German culture promoted regular exercise as a way to improve overall health and ward off illness. They brought this concept with them to America as immigrants in the mid-1800s. Gyms began to spring up, and outdoor sports became popular in some circles by the early 1900s. However, regular exercise didnrsquo;t catch on with the general public until the late 1950s when televisions became commonplace.

The Jack Lalanne Show played a significant role in gaining wide acceptance for regular exercise among American housewives. My Mom was a devotee, and Mr. Lalanne did a lot of good in his day. As a shining example of healthy living and a positive outlook, he lived a long, fruitful, and incredibly healthy life until his passing at age 96. His commitment to fitness and health made a lasting impact on many people, inspiring them to take their fitness seriously.

Today, fitness training has come a long way from the early semblance of bodybuilding and the ancient Greek Olympics. With advancements in technology, equipment, and training methodologies, people can now take their fitness seriously and pursue their goals with confidence and knowledge.

Conclusion

The history of fitness training is a fascinating journey that spans centuries and cultures. From the military training of ancient times to the mainstream acceptance of regular exercise in the modern era, fitness training has evolved into a crucial aspect of overall health and well-being. Whether yoursquo;re a strongman, an athlete, or simply someone who wants to stay healthy, therersquo;s a training method for you.

So, when did people start working out to increase fitness? The answer is long before we started lifting weights. It has been a journey of discovery and innovation, and it continues to evolve today.