Beginning many years ago in a foreign country, people wanted to get healthy and perform different sporting events. The desire to build such facilities eventually spread to the United States, where gyms have become a staple ever since.
Ancient Greeks
The ancient Greeks were the first to build a gym. These buildings originally were places where groups gathered to exercise. Later, they transformed into dressing rooms, training quarters and a place to hold contests. These gymnasiums were provided by the state to the most important cities in ancient Greece. They served as important landmarks.
America
In the 19th century, gymnasiums began to pop up around America. In 1848, Germans developed what was called the Turner Movement, which encouraged health and fitness and promoted gymnastics in America. This movement encouraged the production of gyms; the first was built in Cincinnati, Ohio, according to University of Toledo Libraries. In 1853, the first YMCA gymnasium was built in Boston, according to the University of Minnesota Libraries. Shortly after, many universities added gyms to their campuses.
Health Club
The first health club in America was built in the 1940s in California, according to Club Industry.com. This created a boom, and many capitalized on the idea. However, most health clubs closed during World War II. Once the war was over, gyms began to re-open. The first gyms specialized on special sports, including weightlifting, swimming and bowling. They often were considered dark and dismal until Victor Tanny transformed them into the health clubs we know today.
Today's Team
Today, gymnasiums are at every school, every YMCA and nearly every corner. Both children and adults participate in sports at gymnasiums throughout the year. Furthermore, many people own memberships to health clubs so they can get fit and lose weight.
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