While the reasons of staying fit has evolved in the centuries, our efforts to stay in shape including going to the gym and working out get their roots from as early as the beginning of existence of mankind. Although there weren’t as many studies,books or blogs to raise the awareness in the society back in time, the requirements of existence demand high strength and stamina. Let’s take a look at how fitness evolved to its modern state.

For primitive men (pre – 10000 BC) fitness activities included ongoing efforts of hunting and gathering food but weren’t limited to these. One of the regular physical activities apart from hunting and gathering food was going to neighboring tribes that are 6 to 20 miles away to dance and play cultural games.

We see the emphasis on fitness in ancient civilizations. In China (2500 – 250 B.C.) teachings of Confucius encouraged regular physical activities as physical inactivity was linked to various health problems named as internal stoppages (sounds like heart diseases). Cong Fu gymnastics, a series of stances and movements that can be characterized by imitations of animal fighting styles, was developed. Chinese ancient physical activities also include archery, badminton, dancing, fencing and wrestling.

by Fiona Ayerst

The common religious believes of Hinduism and Buddhism has not encouraged exercising for the purpose of being fit, they rather focus on the spirituality. Therefore in India (2500 – 250 B.C.), the Importance of fitness was very low. However, Hindu priests developed Yoga, a similar exercise to Cong Fu in China, over 5000 years ago. The origins of yoga remain to be unidentified. Through observing and mimicking the movement and patterns of animals, priests hoped to achieve the same balance with nature that animals seemed to possess. This aspect of yoga is also known as Hatha Yoga which West is familiar the most.

Fitness was probably most regarded in ancient Greek Civilization (2500  - 250 B.C.). In Greece the importance of physical perfection is reflected in every aspect of life and art. Bodies of Gods and Goddesses described in Greek Myth and sculptures are evidence of the emphasis on the beauty of the body. They believed that development of the body is equally important as the development of mind. Gymnastics, followed by music, was the most important classroom topic. Greeks had built the ancestor of today’s fitness complexes; Palaestra, a complex with indoor facilities for gymnasium and outdoor part for running, jumping and wrestling. They also introduced the concept of fitness trainer, paidotribe.

In the Near East, fitness is more than encouraged but not health or developmental reason. Fitness was important for the efficiency and effectiveness of the military forces. In Persia, leaders demanded a high level of fitness and implemented rigid training programs. The Persians fitness was at its peak while dominating the Near East and its downfall correspondences to an overall weak fitness character of the society.

I will be back with the history of fitness in Europe and America. Stay tuned!

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