A Website Dedicated to the Study of Strength, Health, Fitness and Sport Across Centuries, Countries and Contests.
The marathon, a grueling long-distance race that tests the endurance and determination of runners, has become one of the most iconic events in the world of athletics. Originating from an ancient Greek legend, the marathon has a rich and fascinating history that spans centuries. So, here’s a brief history behind the marathon, tracing its roots... Continue Reading →
People have been having the need and desire to run quickly over various obstacles and over various distances since the birth of humankind. Being fast and having the ability to endure long distances allowed people to fetch water, hunt pray, escape danger and succeed in war (such is the case of the first marathon race... Continue Reading →
As most people who work out at the gym will testify, running on the treadmill, while being a pretty great way to get your cardio in, can often feel torturous. Interestingly enough, if you have ever compared running on the narrow confines of the treadmill belt to punishment, you wouldn’t be too far from the... Continue Reading →
When it comes to physical activity, the treadmill often feels like a form of cruel and unusual punishment. Well that's because it is. In the early 1800s, an English Civil Engineer named Sir William Cubitt devised the World's first treadmill as a means of punishing and reforming England's prisoners. Disgusted by the idleness of the... Continue Reading →
Can you imagine just 60 years ago, people who could be seen jogging on the street or in the park were considered crazy and weird. Today, running for recreation is one of the most normal things and none of us even consider thinking what brought out this trend. Jogging is by definition slow running done... Continue Reading →
What could be simpler? Just hop on a piece of foam and roll up and down... anyone could do that right? Yes, anyone can but few do. Why? Mainly because it hurts. It's effective but my god is it sore. Yes today we are talking about the foam roller, the cost-effective means of massaging aching muscles and... Continue Reading →
Set in 1970s San Diego, cult comedy movie Anchorman featured a brief skit about jogging. In the scene, lead character Ron Burgundy attempts to explain the new fashionable jogging craze to his colleagues. Struggling to come to terms with the concept himself, Ron settles on "running for a prolonged distance of time...it's supposed to be wild."... Continue Reading →
Picture the scene. It's cold outside, there's 30 teenagers, hormones raging, running back and forth in an old school hall. As a lovable, but somewhat crotchety, teacher screams at the teens to run faster beeps can be heard echoing throughout the hall. The rapidity of the beeps grows. Where once there was a 15 second... Continue Reading →
In order to be able to truly understand all the changes and breakouts the modern running shoe industry is trying to promote, we should really look back to the very beginning. So much change has been made to this piece of footwear over the years. From spiky to rubber soles, over brand rivalry and ingenious... Continue Reading →
As a teenager the advice I got when it came to diet and exercise was often problematic to say the least. We lifted too heavy, with terrible form and took far too little rest. This, we were told, would make us better rugby players or something to that effect. When it came to diet, we... Continue Reading →