The widespread use of equipment-based workouts may correlate with the growing number of exercise facilities across the country. International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association statistics show that that close to 40 million people belong to 26,000 health clubs in the United States. Exercise and training equipment are the main features in most fitness centers.
History
The modern fitness equipment center is similar to the ancient Greek gymnasium, explains Dr. Len Kravitz. In an article on the University of New Mexico exercise physiology website, Kravitz explains that a "paidotribe," similar to a modern fitness trainer, supervised the gymnasium. The halteres, a precursor of the modern dumbbell, was a common form of strength training equipment. Throughout the centuries, different fitness equipment trends developed in different countries. A 2008 article in "Cabinet Magazine" details the origins of the stepping machine and other forms of strength training equipment. The Swedish physician Gustav Zander apparently stocked his Stockholm institute with 27 custom-built machines. Zander developed an aerobic exercise machine called a mechanical horse, as well as pulley-based exercise equipment that resembles modern Pilates and cable machines.
Time Frame
Bodybuilder Professor Louis Attila opened the first private fitness center in the United States, explains Jerry Janda in an article featured in "Club Industry Magazine." Early-20th-century fitness centers did not have weight benches. People lifted weights while standing or lying on the floor. Weight benches were developed in the 1930s. Then, in the 1950s, bodybuilder Harold Zinkin created the multi-station, cable-based Universal gym. Within that same time frame, Jack La Lanne invented the Smith machine, the lat-pull down and the leg extension machine. Fitness equipment gained sophistication in the 1970s, when Arthur Jones created his Nautilus line of equipment. His machines featured a cam, which adjusted the resistance according to the natural strength curve within an exercise.
Types
Aerobic equipment includes stair steppers, treadmills, upright and recumbent bicycles, rowing machines, upper body ergometers and elliptical trainers. Strength training equipment includes free weights, dumbbells, barbells, plate-loaded weight machines and cable equipment. Some women's-only fitness centers use a special type of hydraulic or pneumatic circuit equipment. Hydraulic machines use water resistance, whereas pneumatic equipment uses air pressure resistance.
Significance
As fitness equipment manufacturers add high-tech features to their machines, a low-tech fitness trend is developing at fitness centers and exercise studios. Resistance bands, stability balls, balance boards and medicine balls improve balance, increase core muscle activity and facilitate functional training. This type of conditioning is based on movement patterns, as opposed to isolated muscle strengthening. It may be used to simulate and enhance the efficiency of daily movement patterns, as well as sport-specific movements.
Prevention/Solution
Burnout and boredom may stall the progress of any fitness program. Many people fall into a rut of using the same machines for every workout. Most gyms have a few machines for the same muscle group. Add variety to your workout by changing which machines you typically use. Bands and balls are inexpensive, and do not take up too much space in your home. They offer a viable solution for time-crunched fitness enthusiasts.
References
- University of New Mexico: History of Fitness
- Washington State Office of the Attorney General: Health Clubs
- Cabinet Magazine: The Origins of Cybex Space
- Club Industry: A Brief History of Strength
- Iron Game History: From Milo to Milo: A History of Barbells, Dumbbells and Indian Clubs
- LA Times: Harold Zinkin, 82; Muscle Beach Pioneer Invented Weight Machine
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