How did people in ancient times train?

synchroGENized said:

I seem to remember similar studies about long-bowmen in medieval England. - you just couldn't find enough people capable of firing a bow as far/fast/long as they did if you wanted to mount a comparable army, even though the population is much larger today.

I heard they couldn't find anyone at all.  What's the drawstring on those old longbows, 200lbs?  For most people that's a weighted one arm pullup, while pushing back with the opposing arm.  There must have been tremendous loading on the core, and to have to aim under these conditions.... 

Bipocni said:

I heard they couldn't find anyone at all. What's the drawstring on those old longbows, 200lbs? For most people that's a weighted one arm pullup, while pushing back with the opposing arm. There must have been tremendous loading on the core, and to have to aim under these conditions....

Not as extreme.as the English longbows but in Japan i had the opportunity to try traditional style kyudo. It was educational; near impossible for me to bend the bow the smallest girl was using with arms alone. The instructor had a mid back that looked like an artists' impression in marble that was thrown out for being too exaggerated.

archers of medieval times did draw some big poundages but they trained from 10yrs old to build up to that also they were known to be cripples in mid ages and have crooked backs. 100lbs was the average, i have tons of books on archery, and collected a few bows, was one of my obsessions for a spell. Definitely a skill you must eat sleep and dream to master

they were known to be cripples in mid ages

Perhaps sheer physical achievement has declined as technology increased, but preventative measures and rehab etc have increased general health?  Except for all the soda and cheeseburger a day obeses, in that sense general health has probably declined.

synchroGENized said:

Perhaps sheer physical achievement has declined as technology increased, but preventative measures and rehab etc have increased general health?  Except for all the soda and cheeseburger a day obeses, in that sense general health has probably declined.

Yeah we're at the point where for the first time in human history most of us don't actually have to do anything physical in order to survive.  This makes health and fitness entirely optional.  I just wish that more people would realise that just because they can let their bodies fall apart doesn't mean they should.

Bipocni said:

Yeah we're at the point where for the first time in human history most of us don't actually have to do anything physical in order to survive.  This makes health and fitness entirely optional.  I just wish that more people would realise that just because they can let their bodies fall apart doesn't mean they should.

'Merica, land of the free

Biren P. said:

'Merica, land of the free

Not confined to America.... >.<

Bro said:

I've seen dogs do handstands, so yeah, primates can definitely do that.^^

 

 

Maybe not all of them though, can't imagine gorillas doing this.

I've seen dogs do planche/planche presses too.

Jon Douglas said:

Not confined to America.... >.<

I like to think that we Americans are the best at it, like everything else.

Biren P. said:

I like to think that we Americans are the best at it, like everything else.

Hey, you're welcome to it!

Per head of population, though, I think Australia could put up a strong showing in the obesity games.

Mexico is winning at the moment I believe.

Makes me wonder what the average human will be like in the far future. Our bodies are still evolving after all. Can we even de-evolve and lose characteristics that we've worked and adapted so hard for?

It's good we're still challenging the body. Gymnasticbodies to save mankind 8D

Something like this I imagine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1BQPV-iCkU

Found this quite:

Long before the invention of the plate loaded barbells and dumbbells, history spoke of men of seemingly superhuman strength. On display at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia in Greece is a 316lb sandstone, dating back to early 600BC, with the inscription “Bybon son of Phola, has lifted me over his head with one hand."

Craig said:

Pretty sure handstands would pre-date modern humans!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXjapm9s2fo

Could've sworn that monkey lowered into an L-sit at the end.

Edit: Bipocni... Das crazy talk!

Craig said:

Pretty sure handstands would pre-date modern humans!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXjapm9s2fo

Clearly Coach Sommer has been pilot testing his programs on these so called 'monkeys'.

Where can i find some material to read about how ancient warriors trained and how strong they got ?