5hr17Dn-Ikk
100 Years of Fitness in 100 Seconds
100 Years of Fitness showcases ‘keep fit’ fads and movements from the 1910s to the current day, presents 100 years of women’s fitness in 100 seconds – See more: https://www.benenden.co.uk/100yrsfitness/index.html
It’s a colourful history: from the gentle stretches of the 1910s and 1920s, designed to reduce ‘unfeminine’ perspiration, to the hula hoop and twister fads of the mid-20th century and today’s high-energy Zumba workouts.
It begins with the 1910s, an era when women took to early exercise bikes and weights with gusto: ankle-length attire or not! Their main form of exercise was comprised of gentle stretches that were said to improve the hips and, believe it or not, ease constipation!
1920s fitness included more of the same stretches, with a more energetic twist undoubtedly inspired by the popular dance routine, the Charleston. Glamour prevailed even during these workouts, with fitness clothes incorporating silk nightgowns and full makeup instead of sports bras!
In the 1930s, fitness made a concerted leap forward. Enter the Women’s League of Health and Beauty, an organisation created by Mary Bagot Stack, aiming to bring fitness to the masses. ‘Movement is life’ was her motto, and her fitness exercises were revolutionary, incorporating, for the first time, things like star jumps in large group classes.
Next, the 1940s marked another departure for women’s fitness. The Women’s League of Health and Beauty maintained a large membership, but with the onset of war, many women began exercising in their own homes. Genteel, sweat-minimising exercises were the order of the day, including an early form of sit-up.
1950s fitness is the epitome of retro fitness, with the hula hoop taking centre stage. Both children and adults were swept up in the craze, and with a little clever marketing, people saw the hula hoop as a fully-fledged exercise tool! Who knew you could have so much fun while burning calories?
Hula hoop fitness was later cast aside when the 1960s introduced the world to the Trim Twist. Made from a square of pressed board mounted on top of a metal turning mechanism, this portable piece of kit became a hit with housewives and office workers alike. Simply stand on top and get twisting to firm the stomach, bottom, arms and legs.
1970s fitness took a jauntier turn when former Broadway star, Judi Sheppard Missett, introduced her new phenomenon… Jazzercise! This combination of aerobic exercise and jazz dancing was designed to slim and tone, and proved so much fun that it’s still practised in 32 countries!
When we reach the 1980s, it’s all about aerobics. Day-glo leotards and big hair dominated the fitness industry, with physical fitness becoming something of a status symbol. High-energy routines and high kicks provided an intense cardiovascular workout, and Jane Fonda dominated television screens.
1990s fitness was less Jane Fonda and more Billy Blanks, an American taekwondo instructor who brought Tae Bo to the nation. His exercise trend combined taekwondo and boxing to create movements designed to promote fitness and work every area of the body.
The 2000s, however, were the decade in which fitness through dance returned. ‘Street dance’ passed through school yards and local neighbourhoods into dance studios and gyms, becoming the fitness trend of choice. ‘Locking’ and ‘popping’ the body, bobbing and weaving, and grabbing or punching through the air are the hallmarks of almost every routine.
Today, in the 2010s, fitness is even more fast-paced: say hello to Zumba! Incorporating elements of hip-hop, soca, salsa, samba, merengue and mambo, it feels more like a trip to a nightclub with friends than an effort to get fit! From the old to the young, everybody is welcome at classes. Health and fitness has never been more accessible!
This video has been brought to you by Benenden Health, a healthcare service with a difference. Founded in 1905 to provide affordable treatment to postal workers suffering from tuberculosis, Benenden has grown to encompass both physical and mental wellbeing. Today it provides a wide variety of services to almost 900,000 members.
For more information or to register, find us here: https://www.benenden.co.uk/
#100yearsfitness in just 100 seconds #legendary
*100 years of fitness*
Lovely piece of content by +benenden health . This has been watched 4,662
times since the 19th March. Looks like the aim is to raise awareness of the
brand and encourage sharing and pass on.
Very interesting. I like to see the olden times work outs. When I work out
I play Edwardian silent film music it makes me feel like one of those
pugilistic. Just been for my 5 mile run and my work out is coming in 38
minutes.
Yayyy!! ZUmba!! :D
where’s pilates and kickboxing and weightlifting
All styles before 1970’s look so much better! I am 27 year old male, too.
Love the video! What was the music in the Zumba part?
Oh this will go Viral!
Damn.. 1990 aerobics wasn’t sexy in my year
Proof that global warming is real, each decade brings less and less
clothing. On top of all the exercising they do of course.
100 Years of Fitness in 100 Seconds:
*Celebrating 100 Years of ‘Keep Fit’ – Benenden*
‘Health and fitness is at the forefront of modern life. Across the world,
people of all ages make a conscious effort to eat well and move more,
whether that be through jogging, cycling, swimming, exercise classes or gym
sessions.
We are very lucky to live in an age where we can take our pick from
numerous types of exercise, to find one that suits us. What you might not
know is that keeping fit didn’t begin with Lycra and aerobics classes. Men
and women have been keeping themselves in shape for more than a century
and, in many cases, with strange equipment bearing little resemblance to
what we use today.’
https://www.benenden.co.uk/100yrsfitness/index.html
A partire dal 20° secolo si inizia a celebrare con un grande e continuo
successo l’attività della palestra e l’esercizio che comporta fin
dall’inizio della sua esistenza. Fin dalla preistoria l’uomo ha ricercato
il fitness per spirito di sopravvivenza attraverso la caccia o la raccolta.
“Sopravvivenza … vita … per vivere” Oggi non si può dire che si è
spinti da un’esigenza di quel tipo ma rimane il fatto che il fitness è di
fondamentale importanza per la salute ed il benessere “Fitness è salute ,
benessere … per la vita…”
www.beaktive.it #beaktive #stayaktive #fitnesschallenge
#noexcuses
this is so cool omg!
where are the weights & squats ???
Hi, We loved your video. We watched with pleasure. 🙂 If will be
appropriate for you, we want to share your video in the Shapes Turkey
social account.
100 Years of Fitness in 100 Seconds, ça a bien évolué ! 😉
http://ow.ly/KSma3
*Celebrating 100 Years of ‘Keep Fit’ – Benenden*
‘Health and fitness is at the forefront of modern life. Across the world,
people of all ages make a conscious effort to eat well and move more,
whether that be through jogging, cycling, swimming, exercise classes or gym
sessions.
We are very lucky to live in an age where we can take our pick from
numerous types of exercise, to find one that suits us. What you might not
know is that keeping fit didn’t begin with Lycra and aerobics classes. Men
and women have been keeping themselves in shape for more than a century
and, in many cases, with strange equipment bearing little resemblance to
what we use today.’
https://www.benenden.co.uk/100yrsfitness/index.html
Does anyone know the name the music of 1930s and 1940s?
Lovely video, still it reaffirms the common belief that the world was
monochrome before the 50’s and colors were invented later:)