🤔 How Ancient Greeks and Romans Sculpted Their Physiques

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From Olympus to the Colosseum: How Ancients Sculpted Their Physiques

The impressive physiques depicted in ancient Greek and Roman statues have long been a source of admiration and curiosity. But how did these ancient civilizations maintain such impressive physical conditions?

While we don't have modern scientific studies from that era, historical records, and archaeological evidence provide insights into their fitness practices.

1. Military Training: Both Greek and Roman societies placed a high value on military prowess. Young men underwent rigorous physical training as part of their military preparation. This included running, wrestling, and weapons training.

2. Athletics and Games: The ancient Greeks were famous for the Olympic Games, but athletic competitions were a regular part of life. Events like running, jumping, throwing, and wrestling helped maintain physical fitness.

3. Gymnasiums: Greek gymnasiums were centers for physical and intellectual activities. Here, men would exercise, engaging in activities like weight lifting with stone or metal weights.

4. Diet: The Mediterranean diet, rich in fish, fruits, and vegetables, was common. This diet, now recognized for its health benefits, likely contributed to their physical well-being.

5. Physical Labor: Many people in these societies engaged in physical labor as part of their daily lives, from farming to construction, which naturally kept them in good shape.

6. Bathing Culture: Roman baths often included areas for exercise before bathing, combining hygiene with fitness.

7. Philosophical Approach: Greek philosophers like Plato emphasized the importance of physical fitness alongside mental development, promoting a balanced approach to health.

Archaeological evidence supports these practices. It's important to note that the idealized bodies in statues may not represent the average person of the time. However, the cultural emphasis on physical fitness in these societies is clear from historical records.

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The Mileage Gap between Us and Our Ancestors

We often hear that "sitting is the new smoking," but how much truth is there to this claim? Are we really meant to be more active? Let's take a step back in time to understand just how active our ancestors were.

Did you know that our hunter-gatherer ancestors walked an average of 6 to 16 kilometers (3.7 to 9.9 miles) per day? This striking fact comes from a 2012 study published in PLoS ONE by Pontzer et al., which examined the daily energy expenditure of modern hunter-gatherer societies as a proxy for our ancestors.

To put this into perspective, the average American today takes about 5,000 steps per day, which is roughly 2.5 miles. Our ancestors were covering 1.5 to 4 times this distance daily!

This significant difference in activity levels isn't just about distance. The intensity and variety of movements our ancestors engaged in were also vastly different. They weren't just walking; they were running, climbing, carrying, and performing a wide range of physical tasks essential for survival.

So, are we really meant to be more active? Let’s look at the evidence, and it suggests a resounding yes. Our bodies evolved to move and move a lot. The sedentary nature of modern life - with hours spent sitting at desks, in cars, or on couches - is at odds with our evolutionary history. Multiple studies show that exercise increases our life span.

It is important to prioritize daily movement in our lives. Avoid staying sedentary for too long. Strive to incorporate regular physical activity into your day, such as taking short 5-minute HIIT breaks (like the one we shared in this newsletter) every hour at your desk job or going for brisk walks.

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Publisher: Ryan Engel

Editor: John K.

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