The Evolution of Health and Wellness
The history of public gyms dates back centuries, but its exact origins remain unknown. It is believed that structured movement was first introduced in China and Egypt around 2000 B.C. During this time, the Greek community also introduced a different type of structured movement and society began to focus on formalized training that was thought to benefit the body, mind and soul.
As time went on, public interest in physical fitness fluctuated. But, by 1851 the first YMCA opened in Boston, Massachusetts and included “a fully-equipped gym featuring rings, ropes, pommel horse, benches, wooden dumbbells, ladders, and combat art or martial arts areas.” (History of Health Clubs: How Gyms Have Evolved Through the Ages, Tharrett). This is considered a pivotal moment in the introduction of fitness gyms in the United States and within ten years more than a hundred YMCA facilities opened across the country.
As decades have passed, the landscape of fitness has also evolved, but much of the ideology has remained rooted in the Greek philosophy that activity is beneficial for the mind, body and soul. With the advancement of technology, and most recently the Coronavirus pandemic, many gym-goers and athletes have opted to refrain from traditional large-scale gyms for at-home gyms.
Today, one can access almost any type of workout from the comfort of their home or wherever they may be. And with the world moving at such a fast pace, and demand increasing in most areas of life - from work responsibilities, family obligations, and much more - the convenience of working out from home has become more of a necessity for many.
Through platforms such as Niche Pilates Online, subscribers have access to various types of workouts including full body training, stretch programs and breathing exercises. Activities that would once require gym-goers to carve out additional time in the day, including time spent traveling to and from the gym, can now be done effectively from home, at the office or in some cases, on the go. And because of this shift in accessibility, the interest and demand for in-home fitness options is at an all-time high. “Mindfulness”, “health” and “well-being” are now words that are incorporated into society and everyday life.
Overall, it would be fair to say that as the landscape of health and wellness shifts, the popularity of at-home workouts will also continue to grow and revolutionize the way people care for their bodies, minds and souls.
Citations
Gottehrer, J. (2022, September 12). Council post: The future of at-home fitness: When hybrid becomes the standard. Forbes. Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/09/09/the-future-of-at-home-fitness-when-hybrid-becomes-the-standard/amp/
No Author. (n.d.). First YMCA in the United States organized in Boston. Northfield Couple Launches U.S. Youth Hostel Movement. Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://www.massmoments.org/moment-details/first-ymca-in-the-united-states-organized-in-boston.html
Tharrett, S. (2022, August 8). History of health clubs: How gyms have evolved through the ages. Les Mills. Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://www.lesmills.com/us/clubs-and-facilities/research-insights/audience-insights/history-of-health-clubs-how-gyms-have-evolved-through-the-ages/