Physical activity used to be farming, hunting, building, and walking. Many of us don’t have the physical demands we used to live in, so we need other ways to stay fit.
Many people invest in high-tech equipment at home, select the best training programs, and purchase top-of-the-line clothing and gadgets to help them achieve greater fitness levels. Although today’s fitness trends are innovative and modern, it may surprise you to learn that many of them come from the past. Because they work, vintage fitness trends will not disappear. They are just being repackaged with new names.
Related post – Seniors and strength training: Why it’s never too late to start
Workouts from the past that still work
MEDICINE BALLS
Medicine balls have been a classic fitness tool since their humble beginnings when they were animal bladders filled full of sand.
Drawings from 3,000 years ago show Persian wrestlers using medicine balls to increase strength and endurance. Hippocrates, however, considered medicine balls essential for mobility training and overall good health.
“Medicine ball” was not invented until the late 1800s. It was a staple on college campuses, army barracks, and everywhere strength training took place.
The action was even witnessed by Herbert Hoover, the U.S. President. He created a riff of volleyball with med balls that he called “Hooverball”.
WHY WE STILL LIKE IT:
Modern medicine balls come in many sizes and weights. They are strong, durable, flexible, and sometimes textured. They can be made of rubber, vinyl, nylon, leather, or vinyl and can weigh between two and 20 pounds.
They are versatile and can be trained for any purpose, including speed improvement and strength building as well as to tone specific muscles or recover from injuries.
Depending on how it is used, medicine balls can engage the whole body, activate the core, and help with coordination. It can also improve flexibility without too much pressure on your joints. It’s not surprising that ancient warriors loved the med ball.
STATIONARY Bikes
Fitness bikes have seen a revival in popularity thanks to apps and programs that make it easy to spin in the privacy of your own home.
Since the dawn of bikes, cycling has been a popular sport. There have been stationary bikes in every home since the 1920s.
Johnny Goldberg, a South African cyclist, needed a way of training at home in 1989. He built a stationary bicycle and devised a routine. Spinning was born.
WHY WE STILL LIKE IT:
Exercise bikes are safer than riding on open roads. They are also low-impact and can help you lose weight and strengthen your lower body.
Modern exercise bikes, such as those found at G&G Fitness, offer a variety of resistance levels, immersive displays, ergonomic designs, and a wide range of workouts. This includes everything from intense interval training to scenic leisure rides.
YOGA
Yoga is an ancient practice that replaces medicine balls. Yoga, which originated thousands of years ago in India, combines physical, spiritual, and mental elements.
Yoga seems very simple on paper. Yogis promote mental and physical well-being by using deep breathing in conjunction with specific body postures. This simple concept is only the beginning. There are many traditions and methods that have been passed down through the centuries.
WHY WE STILL LIKE IT:
Yoga is suitable for all levels of experience. It helps to tone the entire body, improve flexibility, and build strength and balance. It warms the muscles and increases blood circulation through deep breathing and slow movements.
Yoga promotes heart health, alleviates pain, improves sleep quality, and helps with stress management. Yoga is a great choice for the brain. Regular practice of yoga can lead to relaxation, stress relief, better cognitive performance, and brighter moods.
As if all that weren’t enough, it is also very easy to do at home. All one needs are a good Yoga mat, towel, and maybe some blocks.
STEEL WEIGHTS AND BODYBUILDING
When you think of bodybuilding, images of Arnold Schwarzenegger in his best form will likely spring to your mind. Although powerlifting may seem to have started in the 1960s, it’s actually much older.
In 18th-century Russia, kettlebells were first introduced as weights for pulley systems. Because they were easily available, people began swinging them to increase strength and stamina (and maybe show off).
The history of weightlifting is even more ancient. Prehistoric tribes used weightlifting as a way to test their strength and manhood. This tradition is still practiced in countries like Germany, Spain, Scotland, and many other places.
The 18th-century strongmen are the ones who shaped modern weightlifting. These athletes trained with heavy iron or steel to achieve feats of strength in theatres, circuses, as well as international competitions.
WHY WE STILL LIKE IT:
You can build muscle in your living room, garage, or backyard with strength equipment.
Lifting helps to tone the body, burn fat, strengthen bones, and encourages heart health. G&G Fitness’ large selection of equipment will help you transform your basement into a home gym.
BOXING
Boxing, a timeless combat sport, was popularized in the United States during the ’20s. Another one, this one dates back to ancient times. Fist-fighting contests are common in almost every culture, from Sumer to Egypt and Greece.
There are many styles and techniques that you can use in boxing. Training can help you lose fat, tone your muscles, strengthen ligaments and bones and improve coordination. It can also increase self-confidence and endurance.
WHY WE STILL LIKE IT:
A great way to let off steam is to hit a heavy boxing bag in your garage or backyard. Boxing, just as it was back in the day, is a proven way to increase cardiovascular health, strengthen your body, and reduce stress.