Strength Training History. 1920-Modern Day

  • WWI fitness

    WWI fitness
    1/3 of the drafted individuals were unfit for combat and many of them were unfit prior to the military training.
  • Jack LaLanne

    Jack LaLanne
    Was the guiding pioneer of fitness in the 20's. Introduced aerobics, water aerobics, and resistance exercise. He also introduced numerous pieces of exercise equipment including the first cable-pulley machine, the safety system for doing squats called the Smith machine, and the first leg extension machine.
  • Diocletian Lewis

    Diocletian Lewis
    Lewis introduces "The New Gymnastics", following the end of the civil war in 1865.
  • Diocletian Lewis Cont.

    Diocletian Lewis Cont.
    Dio. Lewis was a doctor, a teacher at age 12, and a teacher trainer at age 18. Lewis was the first textbook writer for his time. He was also an architect of gymnasiums and equipment. Lewis specialized in boxing and fencing.
  • Running

    Running
    The early 1900’s continued the walking idea but built upon it including some slow running. If faster running was included it was mainly short single bouts of “fast” running, or time trials. In general, this period of training could be compared to that done by recreational runners now: Lots of very slow running or walking and not much else.
  • Theodore Roosevelt

    Theodore Roosevelt
    perhaps the most physically fit president ever to occupy the Oval Office, used his power and own example to encourage U.S. citizens to be physically active. While president, he engaged in multiple forms of physical activity, including hiking, horseback riding and other outdoor endeavors. Teddy enjoyed wrestling, boxing, tennis, and running. His love carried out through the years.
  • Jack Lalane Cont.

    Jack Lalane Cont.
    When you see a piece of workout equipment with a pulley system for lifting the weight you are looking
    at one of Jack Lalanne’s inventions. Each club he started had the early version of a personal trainer working there.
    The staff at Lalanne’s health club worked with clients and gave them instruction on how to use the
    machines properly, how many repetitions to use and how much rest to take between sets.
  • Modern Fitness in WWII

    Modern Fitness in WWII
    As more men were drafted, it became embarrassingly clear that many of them were not fit for combat. When the war was over, it was reported that nearly half of all draftees needed to be rejected or were given non-combat positions.
  • Dr. Thomas K. Cureton

    Dr. Thomas K. Cureton
    Cureton introduced fitness testing for cardio respiratory endurance, muscular strength and flexibility and identified exercise intensity guidelines for improving fitness levels. One of the most important contributions were developing fitness tests for cardio respiratory endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility.
  • "Minimum Muscular Fitness Tests"

    "Minimum Muscular Fitness Tests"
    The Cold War, Baby Boomer era was marked by the development of an important factor influencing the modern fitness movement known as the "Minimum Muscular Fitness Tests in Children" by Kraus-Hirschland. This study utilized the Kraus-Weber tests to measure muscular strength and flexibility in the trunk and leg muscles.
  • Fitness Promotion

    Fitness Promotion
    During the 1950s, several agencies that have been involved in fitness promotion since the mid-1950s include the American Health Association (AHA), the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Association for Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAPHERD), and the President's Council on Youth Fitness
  • ACSM

    ACSM
    The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) was formed in 1954, and has proved to be one of the premier organizations in the promotion of health and fitness to American society and worldwide.
  • John F. Kennedy

    John F. Kennedy
    President John F. Kennedy was a major proponent of fitness and its health-related benefits for Americans of all ages. To reflect this concern, he broadened the scope of the President’s Council on Youth Fitness by changing its name to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and appointed Bud Wilkinson as its head. Kennedy also prompted the federal government to become more involved in national fitness promotion and started pilot youth fitness programs.
  • John F Kennedy Cont.

    John F Kennedy Cont.
    "The Soft American." He said, "We are under-exercised as a nation; we look instead of play; we ride instead of walk" . Kennedy's commitment to fitness can best be summarized when he said, "Physical fitness is the basis for all other forms of excellence."
  • Dr. Ken H. Cooper

    Dr. Ken H. Cooper
    "Physical fitness is the basis for all other forms of excellence."
    Dr. Cooper stressed the necessity for providing epidemiological data to support the benefits of regular exercise and health. Aerobics, released in 1968, sent a powerful message to the American people - to prevent the development of chronic diseases, exercise regularly and maintain high fitness levels throughout life.
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger

    Arnold Schwarzenegger
    By generating a new international audience for bodybuilding, Schwarzenegger turned himself into a sports icon. With his sights set on Hollywood, he emigrated to America in 1968 and went on to win five Mr. Universe titles and seven Mr. Olympia titles before retiring to dedicate himself to acting.
  • Jazzercise

    Jazzercise
    Jazzercise became popular during the '70's. Jazzersice did not last long, it was only a fad in the 1970's.
  • Body Building

    Body Building
    Arnold Schwarzenegger brought bodybuilding mainstream. Strongly backed by the influential publishing magnate and passionate forefather of modern bodybuilding, Joe Weider, Arnold soared to the top of the bodybuilding world. His story has been told countless times. Body builders worked out and ate well because they loved it. They lived it. The serious gym junkie competed because it was in his blood, an evolving passion that helped form character and positive self-identity.
  • Presidents Council on Youth Fitness.

    Presidents Council on Youth Fitness.
    Early in the '50's, tests were conducted on american children to measure muscular strength and flexibility in the trunk and leg muscles. Close to 60% of the children failed at least one of the tests. Eisenhower responded by holding a White House conference, which led to Presidents Council on Youth Fitness through out the years.
  • Personal trainers.

    Personal trainers.
    In the 1980s personal training became a popular career choice. The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) did not recognize the first nationally accredited personal training certificate until 1996.Personal training has a long history but only recently has become a viable career path.
  • Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe

    Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe
    In 1980’s British invasion began. Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe took over the middle distance running. It was a battle on the track between the two, along with in training philosophies too. Coe became the poster boy for a lower volume high intensity training. This cycle showed we were slowly honing in on the right mix. The battle wasn’t so much of intervals should be done every day or distance running every day, but rather on how much and at what intensity.
  • Jane Fonda

    Jane Fonda
    actress Jane Fonda dragged aerobics workouts into the mainstream, only for the 1990s to usher in the era of gyms that resembled treadmill farms, in which everyone did cardio as a mostly solitary activity while listening to a Walkman.
  • Zumba Fitness

    Zumba Fitness
    Zumba was created by the choreographer and fitness instructor Alberto “Beto” Perez in the mid-1990s. According to the official Zumba website, it was a result of a “happy accident” – Beto was on his way to teach an aerobics class and realized he'd forgotten his music.
  • Ab Rollers

    Ab Rollers
    Ab rollers are also known as ab wheels. They are used to strengthen the core and ab muscles.
  • Fit Balls and Functional Exercise

    Fit Balls and Functional Exercise
    the appearance of fit balls and functional exercise in the early 2000's most fitness chains largely stuck with the philosophy of the more equipment the better.
  • Endurance is King

    Endurance is King
    While the shift becomes even smaller with each cycle, the difference is still large. American coaches dropped the low mileage and high intensity programs for one that focused on total development. Distance runners, ranging from pure sprinting to slow jogging. The wide range of intensities that benefit a runner, not 3 or 4 special ones. The key is that this slight shifting towards an emphasis on aerobic development has brought back distance running.
  • Diet

    Diet
    the diet rage shifted from “low-fat” to “low carb.” Diet fads never seem to die, they just get reinvented. The grapefruit-only/cabbage-soup/cookie/ blood-type/hair-color/horoscope- based “advice” will always be promulgated in one form or another by assorted “experts.”Portion control has become the focus instead of ‘low this’ or ‘no that'.
  • Georges Herbert

    Georges Herbert
    French navy officer, physical educator Georges Hebert moved the physical world by taking from past cultures. He studied principles of his predecessors, he pioneered his own natural method. His method was entirely based on natural skills such as walking, running, jumping, climbing, lifting, etc and self-defense all of which were practiced on obstacle courses. Hebert was responsible for physical training of all sailors in the navy then opened the largest, most modern indoor/outdoor training center
  • Tony Horton

    Tony Horton
    No gym. No problem. In 2003 Horton launched P90X, a workout program that’s designed transforms the body through a combination of cardio and strength training. Horton guides users through the three-month exercise program while also advising them on food and nutrition. In addition to his work with P90X, Horton has shared his fitness expertise through personal training, television shows and magazines.
  • Women in Strength Training

    Women in Strength Training
    Research into the positive effects of strength training on bones and the appealing metabolic benefits of muscle on body composition has ameliorated those fears to a large degree. Women in particular are finally getting the message that their muscles require an appropriate load in order to get any benefit. In addition, the aesthetic appeal of good muscle tone and shape has gotten more women into strength training.
  • Womens wrestling

    Womens wrestling
    Women's wrestling becomes an Olympic sport.
  • Bob Harper

    Bob Harper
    Although he’s best known for his work on The Biggest Loser, Bob Harper has been in the training game for nearly 20 years. After moving to Los Angeles to follow his dream of becoming a fitness instructor, the Nashville native wasted no time landing his first celebrity clients. Harper’s next claim to fame: the Contour Kettlebell, a redesign of the kettlebell that reduces strain on the forearm. But you don’t need a six-figure salary or a spot on TV to get this mega trainer’s help.
  • Crossfit

    Crossfit
    With the appearance of Crossfit in 2005, most fitness chains largely stuck with the philosophy of the more equipment the better.
  • Kickboxing and Strength training

    Kickboxing and Strength training
    Spinning classes, kickboxing and group strength training (called “BodyPump”) took the lead on the intensity side, and Pilates, yoga and tai chi gained popularity in the mind-body camp.They provided a benefit of heinsight.
  • ThighMaster

    ThighMaster
    The Thigh-Master is a exercise product that is used to strengthen the thighs. this product is two metal tubes that are connected with a hinge. It is used by putting the metal tubes between the knees and squeezing the knees together.
  • Dancing

    Dancing
    The TV shows “Dancing With the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” along with “exergaming” via programs like “Wii Fit” and “Dance Dance Revolution,” kicked off an interest that gave rise to Nia, Zumba, hip hop, samba and rumba, and even old-style fox trot classes.
  • Outdoor Boot Camps

    Outdoor Boot Camps
    Outdoor boot camps gained popularity and local boxing clubs crowded rings and classes filled with people of all ages. For some, these fun, recreational activities hide the fact that they really are exercising.
  • Wii Fit

    Wii Fit
    video game designed by Nintendo's Hiroshi Matsunaga for the Wii home video game console. It comes with a balance board that detects what simulation you are doing. There are balance games, yoga, strength training, and aerobics.
  • Events and Charity

    Events and Charity
    Millions of Americans participate each year in charity runs and walks. Many train up to a year in advance. For many it is a great social event and an opportunity to take the focus off themselves and onto their charity of choice.
  • Dr. Oz

    Dr. Oz
    Dr. Mehmet Oz has a real knack for fixing hearts and brains. For five years Oz consulted as the health expert on Oprah, educating people on health issues like diabetes and heart conditions. During this time. Then, in 2009, the doc earned his own self-titled talk show where he continues to help guide people toward healthier lifestyles. Oz’s credentials include a joint ND and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Wharton Business School
  • No Equipment

    No Equipment
    Equipment can intimidate some and others want to add options and flexibility to their existing workout regimens. These full-body workouts focus on movement patterns, repetitions, and plyometric work to target multiple muscle groups. These types of workouts are perfect for traveling since they require no equipment and, therefore, can be performed any where.
  • Ninja Warrior

    Ninja Warrior
    Located on the Las Vegas strip, it consists of four stages, each containing various obstacles of increasing difficulty. Competitors must complete all of the 23 obstacles. stage 2 consists of obstacles that test the competitors' strength and speed.
  • Sport Specific Training

    Sport Specific Training
    This trend distinctly relates to young athletes. High school and college athletes are incorporating training into their off-seasons in order to stay in top shape for their sports.
  • ORS

    ORS
    Oregon legislation passes ORS, which will become operative on July 1, 2017. This law states, “Every public school student in kindergarten through grade 8 shall participate in physical education for the entire school year.” Making this mandatory can hopefully improve fitness levels and begin to set a example for children.
  • Tera Stiles

    Tera Stiles
    Tara Stiles created her own brand of fitness. During her modeling days, Ford Agency asked Stiles to film a series of promotional yoga videos for YouTube. Stiles fell in love with the practice and decided to pursue it as a full-time career. She completed the necessary courses to become a certified instructor and eventually opened Strala Yoga, a successful New York studio that teaches everyday people and stars like Jane Fonda
  • Brett Hoebel

    Brett Hoebel
    Brett Hoebel trained in Afro-Brazilian capoeira and Muay Thai kickboxing, this trainer uses martial arts exercises and a positive mindset to help clients stay in shape. Hoebel’s degrees in psychology, biology, and biomedical science only add to his already impressive resume. Looks like you can have brains and brawns after all.
  • Jason Ferruggia

    It took an illness for Jason Ferruggia to figure out he wanted to work in the fitness field. Ferruggia was forced to stay in bed for three months after a bout with tuberculosis. Since he couldn’t work out, he read everything he could about strength training, which sparked an interest in personal training. When his bed rest ended, Ferruggia started studying to become a personal trainer.
  • Barry Jay

    Barry Jay
    During his time in LA, Barry Jay led a pretty unhealthy lifestyle. He worked late nights, dined at fast food joints, and partied with the best of them. But once he started working at a West Hollywood gym, Jay changed his unhealthy habits. Within a year he went from desk duty to personal trainer, creating his own workout that combines drill sergeant tactics with upbeat music and routines. This workout has since gone global, with locations in America and Norway.
  • 2017 Fitness

    2017 Fitness
    Today's fitness is carried out in gyms, and on playing fields around the world. It is not a way of life as it was at the dawn of civilization. Instead, fitness is one of many activities that people work into their busy schedules.
  • Bowflex home gyms

    Bowflex home gyms
    Bowflex home gyms are branches of different equipment that people can buy to work out at home. This includes treadmills, weights, and even lifting equipment.