Fitness - Past & Present

Modern fitness looks far different from that of its predecessors. You probably envision Olympic body builders, Jazzercise, and “slimming machines” (you know, the jiggling belts designed to spot reduce fat in the 50’s). But those examples were far from the beginning of physical fitness. Much further back in time, ancient millitaries trained young men and boys to their peak physical forms preparing for battle. Not long after, the Greek civilization created the Olympic games, showcasing early sports mostly utilizing skills related to combat. During the renaissance era, more emphasis was placed on the physical form, and a greater interest in anatomy, physiology, and overall health arose. Even as early as the year 10,000 B.C. it was necessary to be able to out run a hungry predator and be fast enough to catch your own prey. On top of that, early man needed to be capable of climbing, lifting, carrying, and fighting, all as practical demands on the body and survival opportunities. Throughout the decades, the way we think of and use physical fitness has morphed and developed as we have. No longer do we consider it necessity to outrun a hungry animal, nor is it common practice to “fight to the death” gladiator style. So why the importance of fitness in modern society?

Popularity of “health clubs” started in the late 1960’s, as a greater awareness of health was growing, spawning a tremendous interest in running or jogging, women’s “figure salons”, and the use of cable pulley weight training systems. By the 70’s and 80’s it was not only socially acceptable to join a gym or exercise outdoors, it was a growing way to achieve physical health and social interaction simultaneously. Soon after, the personal training profession was born, as men and women looked to gain a better understanding of fitness. In this small span of time, people began using exercise as a means to spend time with friends, change their physique, and presumably leading the way to a healthier overall lifestyle.

Physical activity has been a proven means to reduce the risk of chronic disease (caused by cholesterol levels, glucose intolerance, high blood pressure, obesity, and more), yet people are LESS active than ever before. As a whole, we spend an increasing amount of time in sedentary behaviors such as watching television and scrolling social media and the excessive use of modes of transportation (using car, train, or bus vs walking or biking). This new environment is producing more inactive, unhealthy, nonfunctional people…even beginning to affect our youth. Globally, between 20-30% of the population (adult men and women) and a staggering 80+% of adolescents (ages 11-17) are insufficiently physically active; which turns out to be one of the leading risk factors in mortality.

There is astounding evidence available to us on the benefits of staying active. Beyond the aesthetic form, regular exercise improves cardio-respiratory function, muscular fitness, and bone health. It also reduces risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various types of cancer (including breast and colon cancer). Some others you may not be aware of, are exercise’s ability to reduce insulin resistance and inflammation, and to improve cognitive function. Physical activity stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the brain, improves sleep quality, and reduces stress, which studies suggest directly affect brain health, function, and memory. With the leading role in our overall well-being, and pros that far outweigh cons, its time we take back control of our health by adding in a bit of physical activity every day.

Even if a gym membership or hiring a personal trainer aren’t in your cards right now, there are many strategies to becoming more active. Here are a few easy ways to build exercise into your daily routine:

1.Take the stairs

2.Walk outdoors

3.Use an exercise ball at your desk vs. a chair

4.Park at the far end of the parking lot

5.Stretch throughout the day

6. Use a fitness App

7. Try a class or activity you can perform at home that you enjoy (dancing, yoga, biking or cycle, swimming, or jogging)

8. Deep Clean your home

9. Play with your children or pets

10. Body weight exercises during commercial breaks (squats, sit-ups, push-ups, lunges, or plank variations)

From personal experience, making exercise enjoyable will keep you motivated to incorporate more, thus improving the quality of your physical and mental health, leading to a more fulfilling day to day. There is no better time than now!

For more information on subjects presented in this article visit:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/regular-exercise-changes-brain-improve-memory-thinking-skills-201404097110

https://www.theactivetimes.com/20-easy-ways-build-exercise-your-daily-routine

https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/the-history-of-physical-fitness/