Ishita Roy

How Fitness Trends And Workouts Changed Overtime

YMCA (source: Wikimedia Commons, public domain)

From what we today understand as <span>workout</span> was not how it used to be before. While today, we do not have shortage of <span>fitness</span> trends, to name a few, we got <span>HIIT</span> workouts, circuit training, personal training, and many others. But in the 70s, it was all different. Today, for us, stationary bikes are a must have in gyms, but back then, it was one of the big trends which took over gyms everywhere. So, let us look back at how fitness looked like some 50 years ago.

<h4><span rel="noindex">YMCA</span>: The Fitness Hub</h4>

YMCA, founded in London in 1884 by George Williams was the Young Men's Christian Association, which aimed to put Christian values into practice by developing a healthy body, mind, and spirits. Back then, YMCA was everything. There were local YMCA projects which focused on youth development by providing athletic facilities, and had gyms across where various sports competitions were held. This is also where basketball and volleyball were invented and also had swimming pools. In 1970s, it was in YMCAs, where you would see people jogging or playing a sport. Though Christian values, fitness was brought into the mainstream.

If you heard about CrossFit, you would be surprised to know how it started. In the 1970s, Vita Parcours, an outdoor fitness trail was conducted where people would enrol for various courses and exercises. This is what started the era of CrossFit. A typical vitaparcours composed of a circuit of 2 to 2.5 kilometres with about 15 spaces along the way equipped with natural objects such as tree trunks or logs. This was created in 1968 in Curich-Fluntern, which sure changed the way fitness was perceived. 

<h4>Group Classes, Fitness Equipment</h4>

Right now we see that the trend of group classes are taking away the fitness market but it was a teacher at the Women's League who would lead an auditorium full of people in a movement class. This is what paved the way of group gym classes. Soon, fitness devices flooded the market. People soon realised that it was not just the outdoor trails, but you could use gadgets to train yourself, to tone, to strengthen and to stretch.

With these equipment, at-home workouts became popular. Working out home was now easier than ever. By then, kids too started getting enrolled and more emphasis of physical fitness on kids was given. In fact, physical fitness was evaluated in schools. Stationary bikes took over the gyms and houses of those who were fitness enthusiasts by a storm.

What we think as a generic gym wear, the sweatsuit, back in the 1970s, it was the look. People soon started to mix up gym with equipment with outdoor trail and soon outdoor gyms started to pop everywhere. You could not walk in the park without seeing a group working out together. In fact it was a common sight for many to see a group of women practicing tai chi, or men doing yoga together. 

If we have to compare it with the fitness trends today, things have changed. We no longer see such groups in the park. Though, some of the trends like group training are coming up. Whatever the trends may be, one cannot ignore the fact that what happened in the 70s, is what paved way for fitness enthusiasts today to follow through.

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From what we today understand as workout was not how it used to be before. While today, we do not have shortage of fitness trends, to name a few, we got HIIT workouts, circuit training, personal training, and many others. But in the 70s, it was all different. Today, for us, stationary bikes are a must have in gyms, but back then, it was one of the big trends which took over gyms everywhere. So, let us look back at how fitness looked like some 50 years ago.YMCA: The Fitness HubYMCA, founded in London in 1884 by George Williams was the Young Men's Christian Association, which aimed to put Christian values into practice by developing a healthy body, mind, and spirits. Back then, YMCA was everything. There were local YMCA projects which focused on youth development by providing athletic facilities, and had gyms across where various sports competitions were held. This is also where basketball and volleyball were invented and also had swimming pools. In 1970s, it was in YMCAs, where you would see people jogging or playing a sport. Though Christian values, fitness was brought into the mainstream.CrossFit: A movementIf you heard about CrossFit, you would be surprised to know how it started. In the 1970s, Vita Parcours, an outdoor fitness trail was conducted where people would enrol for various courses and exercises. This is what started the era of CrossFit. A typical vitaparcours composed of a circuit of 2 to 2.5 kilometres with about 15 spaces along the way equipped with natural objects such as tree trunks or logs. This was created in 1968 in Curich-Fluntern, which sure changed the way fitness was perceived. Group Classes, Fitness EquipmentRight now we see that the trend of group classes are taking away the fitness market but it was a teacher at the Women's League who would lead an auditorium full of people in a movement class. This is what paved the way of group gym classes. Soon, fitness devices flooded the market. People soon realised that it was not just the outdoor trails, but you could use gadgets to train yourself, to tone, to strengthen and to stretch.At Home Work OutsWith these equipment, at-home workouts became popular. Working out home was now easier than ever. By then, kids too started getting enrolled and more emphasis of physical fitness on kids was given. In fact, physical fitness was evaluated in schools. Stationary bikes took over the gyms and houses of those who were fitness enthusiasts by a storm.SweatsuitWhat we think as a generic gym wear, the sweatsuit, back in the 1970s, it was the look. People soon started to mix up gym with equipment with outdoor trail and soon outdoor gyms started to pop everywhere. You could not walk in the park without seeing a group working out together. In fact it was a common sight for many to see a group of women practicing tai chi, or men doing yoga together. If we have to compare it with the fitness trends today, things have changed. We no longer see such groups in the park. Though, some of the trends like group training are coming up. Whatever the trends may be, one cannot ignore the fact that what happened in the 70s, is what paved way for fitness enthusiasts today to follow through.