The History of Treadmills by Jennifer Dennis

The History of Treadmills

You must be familiar with the treadmill exercise machine. The darling of home

and public gyms alike, treadmills are a popular and ever-present part of the

fitness landscape. But where did the treadmill originate? And how did it come to

be so popular and effective among fitness buffs and ordinary folks alike?

It all began with fitness equipment. Physicians, physical fitness instructors

and personal trainers have been chanting the same mantras for years: “Get in

shape!” Exercise can help you burn fat, increase circulation, build healthy

bones, create stronger muscles, increase self-confidence, fight high cholesterol

and many, many more benefits. With higher importance being placed on getting in

shape, the demand for fitness equipment grew. Fitness buffs needed a machine

that could give them the workout they were searching for—with additional perks,

such as heart rate monitors, calorie counters and more to help them work out

smarter, not harder.

Along came the treadmill. The treadmill was actually invented in 1875 and its

original purpose was for power, not fitness. Agricultural farmers, needing

additional power sources on their farms, used a small manual treadmill run by

dogs and sheep for butter churners, while a larger one run by horses for power

threshing machines.

The year 1952 ushered in cardiologist Robert Bruce and staffer Wayne Quinton.

They bring the first medical treadmill on the market to test and diagnose heart

and lung disease. Quinton later sells his concepts to Stairmaster (later bought

by Nautilus).

With the design of the medical treadmill comes the easy transition to the

fitness machine. Fitness enthusiasts and beginners alike demanded a better,

smoother machine for their daily workouts. Aerobics, Inc., for example, began

production of smooth, affordable treadmills in the late 1960s and now

manufactures an award-winning Pro Series with top technology and automated

controls. Trackmaster models in 1978 are known for their very tough, very

durable machines that set the standard in gym models today.

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BIO:

About the Author: Jennifer Dennis is a successful author and regular
contributor to http://www.treadmills-and-treadmill-reviews.com - a fitness and treadmill industry resource that features treadmill reviews,
guides, product descriptions and articles.

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