The History of Workouts

Many people regularly do sports. Because it's good for our health, because it's fun, or because we want to achieve a certain goal. We thought it would be fun to take a look back at the history of the workout. Where did the 'first workout' start, and how has it evolved?

Back in time

Everyone knows what a gym looks like, whether you go there three times a week or only know it from television. But 2500 years ago, they looked very different. The ancient Greeks trained in an open-air gymnasium. There, men practiced Olympic sports like running, discus throwing, javelin throwing, and wrestling.

They mainly did this to improve their military skills. And to get a nice body. For the Greeks, beauty was a sign of divinity. Nowadays, that's still a popular reason to be involved in sports.

The first indoor gym

After the collapse of the Greco-Roman empire, it took a while for the gym to resurface. There are indications that there was a revival during the Renaissance, but the gymnasium was only really restored in 1811. In Hasenheide, a suburb of Berlin, the first 'turnplatz' was opened: an exercise field. Here, the ancient Greek sports were practiced again, but now combined with some equipment. The goal was still to create stronger soldiers.

From then on, things progressed quickly! In 1840, the first commercial gyms were opened in Brussels and Paris. No longer outdoors, but indoors. They offered classes and introduced weights. Training at the Gymnase aimed primarily at getting a nice physique. According to experts, that was one of the ways people fought for more freedom and individual rights (1).

The gym continued to evolve, gradually resembling more of what we know today. Towards the end of the 19th century, the first gym in London focused on strength training was opened. It had free weights, a series of strength training exercises, and guidance from staff and personal trainers. Essentially, a workout similar to what we increasingly see today!

The workout of today

In the last 100 years, gyms and workouts have evolved rapidly. We know much more about muscle groups, training methods, the importance of rest, and the influence of targeted nutrition. We adapt equipment, advice, and training schedules accordingly.

The range of options has also expanded significantly. From budget to luxury gyms, as well as personal training studios, CrossFit boxes, running groups, boot camp clubs, and spinning classes, all can be found in every major city.

Benefits of weekly exercise

The reasons why we exercise have changed somewhat. We're not defending our country in a war, but mostly do it because we enjoy it and because it's good for our health. We also want to maintain a good appearance.

Exercising helps us to maintain a healthy weight (or lose weight). But nowadays, we also know that physical activity is essential for our mental health. With a lifestyle where we sit a lot and eat more than before, exercising becomes increasingly important to stay healthy.

And where does the protein shake come in?

Protein shakes are closely linked to workouts. For building and maintaining muscles, athletes need to consume more protein than non-athletes.

However, it's also a great product for people who are less enthusiastic (or not at all) about exercising. A protein shake is a convenient tool to ensure you get enough protein daily. Nowadays, it's more of a lifestyle product than just a must-have for bodybuilders.