The History of Fitness from Hunting to Strippercize

The history of fitness has come a long way since the dawn of man when being physically lithe and strong was a matter of survival. Prehistoric men more than likely did not have a regimen of physical exercise, as they were busy hunting, gathering and traveling in search of water. This is why we, as human beings, need to exercise to stay healthy. We are hardwired to use are bodies long and hard all day. This necessity to perform hard physical work every day continued throughout the evolution of agricultural societies. It still exists today as slavery and underpaid work in third world countries that are dominated by Western industries and corporations. Otherwise today’s civilization is rather sedentary.

Of course as civilization progressed there was less strenuous activity required of the human body. Confucius, who encouraged regular activity and invented Cong Fu exercise programs that consisted of various movements and stances, developed the concept of exercise in China. This first big breakthrough in the history of fitness then led to other Chinese sports such as the classic systems of Hindu philosophy that strives to bring together and personally develop the body, mind, and spirit.

In the meantime Yoga was developed in India. Hindu priests who invented a series of exercises in physical posture and breathing patterns originally developed it. Today over twelve million people practice yoga.

Exercises also became a matter of politics in the near East as the leaders of civilizations such as Assyria, Babylonia, Egypt, Palestine, Persia, and Syria, began to realize the importance of rigid fitness regimens to the efficiency and performance of military forces. Exercises included hunting, marching, riding, and javelin throwing. The Greeks and Romans also adapted these regimens

Perhaps no other civilization has held fitness in such high regard as ancient Greece. This is because this culture reveres the physical body. This culture invented gymnastics as we know them today. The physical fitness regimens developed in Greece were taught in school programs during the Renaissance. Gymnastics were also very popular in Europe between 1700 and 1850 in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Great Britain and also in the Untied States where Ben Franklin wrote treatises about the importance and history of physical fitness. On both continents prominent individuals and health experts were devising physical education programs to be taught in schools. It was also during this time that the French father and son team of Pierre and Earnest Michaux built the first bicycle.

In the twentieth century, people all over the world developed a more urban lifestyle. Taking our cues from physical fitness history forms of exercise such as Tai Chi, cycling, gymnastics and competitive sports are practiced all over the world. Additionally there has been new exercise regimens invented such as Strippercise (working with a stripper pole) and Pilates (which involves the use of pulleys and a rack.) Other popular contemporary forms of exercise include roller balding and surfing.

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