| Exercise is good for our health and physique. No one | | | | fighting each other in wrestling matches. This could be |
| can dispute this fact. However, one fact that can, and | | | | the first record of unarmed combat training. |
| is disputed and vehemently by some too, is the time or | | | | So, if one were to get very close to the answer of |
| approximate time, that man invented exercise. So, | | | | 'when was exercise invented?' The answer will have |
| when was exercise invented? No one can pin an | | | | to lie in historical records and this will point to about 600 |
| exact time to this event that contributes such a lot to | | | | BC when the Spartans reigned supreme leaders of |
| the well-being of the human race. Yet history seems | | | | the Greeks in warfare techniques, durability and |
| to indicate that the ancient Greeks were responsible | | | | strength of soldiers that was seemingly maintained |
| for making exercise a routine designed to keep their | | | | only by exercises. For science will have us know that |
| soldiers fighting fit. A routine that has sadly lost its | | | | soldiers could not possibly develop such strength, |
| place of importance in our busy world. | | | | durability and physiques by eating alone and genes |
| History points to facts in the events of the ancient | | | | cannot be engineered - at least not that long ago! |
| Greeks training regimes of their soldiers. Regimes that, | | | | So by the looks of things, comparing the uniformity of |
| though not very scientific, included certain exercises | | | | Spartan soldier's physiques with that of other soldiers |
| that were definitely intended to increase physical | | | | of other armies, comparing records of their |
| strength and durability. These exercises included | | | | achievements, ancient paintings and size and sheer |
| running on sand - a very difficult exercise indeed - | | | | weight of their armor - one can only arrive at the |
| picking up of huge rocks and moving them from one | | | | conclusion that the uniformity in Greek soldiers |
| place to another and from bottom of hills to the top. | | | | physique and equipment could only mean that they |
| Other warfare exercises included throwing of spears | | | | were all subject to regular exercise while the others |
| and stones, running over very long distances and | | | | were not. |