Modern Treadmills' Evolution

The treadmill, a popular piece of exercise equipment, has a rich history dating back to ancient Rome. This device has undergone significant evolution to become the modern treadmill we know today. From its humble beginnings as a punishment device in Victorian-era prisons, to a modern-day fitness staple, the treadmill has come a long way.

The treadmill has its roots in ancient Rome, where it was first used as a component of cranes to lift heavy weights. The Romans discovered that by incorporating a treadmill, they could replace the winch they had been using in their cranes. The men would walk inside the wheel itself, which had a larger diameter than the winch, allowing them to lift twice the weight with half the crew.

In the 1800s, farmers were in need of a more consistent power source for their stationary machines, which were previously powered by unreliable natural sources such as wind and water. They found that a treadmill machine could capture the "brake" power of a horse, with the unit of measurement of force of strength necessary to operate these new stationary machines becoming known as "horse power."

A treadwheel is a kind of animal engine that is usually powered by people. It might resemble a water wheel in its appearance, and it can be operated in one of two ways. Paddles may be placed into the circumference of the treadwheel, and a person can tread these, or a person or even an animal can simply stand inside of the treadwheel and move within accordingly. Treadwheels might be used in any of three different ways. They may be utilized for the purpose of grinding grain, powering cranes or raising some water.

In the 19th century, the treadmill was introduced to prisons as a means of punishing inmates. The invention of the treadmill for the purpose of use in prisons can be traced back to an economic need. Many laborers were out of work after the Napoleonic Wars, and the country could not afford to allow convicts to take jobs away from English laborers. As a solution, institutional treadmills were invented whose purpose it was to offer power to mills. The prisoners were forced to hang on to the bar and climb up the paddle blades, which made them constantly lift up their legs.

One of the first purposes for a medical treadmill was for diagnosing lung and heart conditions, and it came into being after being invented by Wayne Quinton and Doctor Robert Bruce in 1952 at the University of Washington.

The first home exercise treadmill was brought to market by Bill Staub and Dr. Kenneth Cooper through Aerobics, Inc. The popularity of aerobic exercise equipment at home and in gyms grew throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

In 2003, Life Fitness introduced the first integrated LCD touch screen console and attachable LCD screen on a treadmill. They later developed the first cardio products with device and USB connectivity. Additionally, the development of smart sensors could allow treadmills to adjust to a user's gait and provide real-time feedback on their form.

In the present day, many medical outlets have treadmills places such as rehabilitation centers, hospitals, gyms, malls and universities. The treadmill has come a long way since its inception in ancient Rome. It has undergone significant evolution, from its use as a punishment device in Victorian-era prisons, to a modern-day fitness staple. As technology continues to advance, it is exciting to think about what the future holds for this popular exercise equipment.