Topic > Fitness: The Evolution of “Exercise”

For centuries people have participated in physical fitness. In the past, before cars and machines were created, humans had no choice but to exercise daily. Surviving meant gathering food for the family, walking long distances, and working on a farm (which involved a lot of physical labor). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Next, we see that ancient civilizations participated in physical fitness to defeat the land they were trying to conquer. The strong and powerful men were the men who could win battles, not the weak. If battles weren't won, well, then people died. (This is another example of exercise as a means of survival.) During the Industrial Revolution and subsequent eras, many machines were created that allowed work to be done in a more time-efficient and less tiring way for humans. Therefore, exercise was no longer necessary to complete the same tasks. People didn't engage in exercise through work, so exercise required more intentionality. In the 20th century, personal fitness equipment was created to allow adults to exercise outside of work in their free time. Personal fitness equipment included fitness machines and free weights. Today we are more educated and competent than ever; however, we have made the need for exercise almost non-existent. Many people in America don't even believe that exercise is important anymore. It is evident that exercise is not a means of survival in our world today as people can survive day after day without running a mile once in their life or without performing 50 pound squats. What I hope to convey is that exercise leads to a more abundant life, which all human beings need. Exercise is proven to improve mood, increase energy, and help the body function better. We often choose the easy way out and overlook the more difficult option. Exercise is a choice, and it's typically the most difficult option. After a long day at work it's easy to go home and watch Netflix, but the best option is to exercise for 1 hour instead. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers .Get a custom essayThe body and mind are very connected and one must always agree with the other. If the body is not willing (perhaps it is tired after a long day at work), the mind must intervene and activate the body to move. If the mind feels flooded with thoughts and exhausted by the demands of life, the body needs to step up and move a little (forcing the mind to follow). To have healthy mental, physical and social well-being, exercise is vital. After a couple of months of regular exercise, the benefits will be recognized greatly.