When Was Exercise Invented?

When was exercise invented? Exercise was not invented; it has been around since people plowed fields and hunted game.  

Physical exercise is any activity that improves or maintains physical fitness and overall health. In early times, exercise was not thought of in terms of increasing strength or improving your fitness. That changed in ancient Greece, where soldiers were trained to reach their full potential. The men would run for long distances to improve their endurance, and do construction to build their muscle strength, by lifting heavy stones. However, this training was reserved for the military, not the common people.  

Jerry Morris

“When was exercise invented?” cannot be answered, but you can know who first saw the connection between exercise and cardiovascular health. Jerry Morris (1910-2009) was an epidemiologist who demonstrated the correlation between physical exercise and cardiovascular health. He was a public health physician in Britain, and noticed in a survey in 1949, that there was a difference in the cardiovascular health of bus drivers. 

The sedentary drivers of London’s double-decker buses had higher rates of cardiovascular disease than the more active conductors, who climbed the stairs.  He did another study on postal workers and the ones who delivered the mail on foot or by bike had better cardiovascular health and fewer heart attacks than those who worked at the counter or as clerks.  

When Was Exercise Invented?

The 1960s saw the birth of exercise to improve health. People were becoming aware of the problems of a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits, so exercise was coming into its own. Aerobics classes were springing up everywhere, and inventions, like the treadmill, made it easier to get in shape at home. Today, you hear the words, “exercise and diet” spoken like a mantra, as people have become better educated about the need for exercise.    

The Treadmill

There is no answer to the question, “When was exercise invented?” but we know when treadmills were invented. The treadmill is made for walking or running in place. It is used in both gyms and homes and makes getting your exercise more convenient, since you do not have to exercise outside. It was originally designed for prisons, and then was used by Robert A. Bruce to determine the severity of a patient’s heart and lung disease. He was the inventor of the first medical treadmill in 1952.  

Reasons to Exercise

Although it isn't clear when exercise was invented, it is clear that exercise is good for you and important. Exercise can make you healthier, improve your mood, help you lose weight, extend your life, increase your stamina, help prevent viruses, boost your immune system, strengthen your heart, and help you live an overall longer, healthier and better life.

Even mild to moderate exercise of 30 minutes per day can significantly reduce your risk of certain types of cancers and heart disease. Unfortunately, too many Americans are sedentary and don't get even this small amount of exercise.

To boost your desire to exercise, make a commitment to stay in shape. Join a gym, swim laps, play sports or walk. Make a commitment with a fitness buddy to do the exercises together so you can both hold each other accountable and so the exercise will be more fun.