The origins of aerobics

2025-09-03

Aerobics is a form of aerobic exercise that combines music and movement, aiming to improve cardiopulmonary function, enhance physical fitness, and shape the body. It uses rhythmic music to guide participants through a series of movements, typically including steps, jumps, and stretches, to achieve a full-body workout. Aerobics, a representative form of modern fitness, has undergone multiple stages of origin and development, from its earliest aerobic forms to today’s diverse range of exercise. The history and culture behind aerobics have had a profound impact.

The origin and development of aerobics

1. Early forms of aerobic exercise

The basic concept of aerobic exercise can be traced back to the early 20th century . Early aerobic exercise was mainly promoted by some sports experts and doctors. They found that long-term, moderate-intensity exercise can effectively improve cardiopulmonary function and improve health.

Exercise and health concepts in the early 20th century :
With the development of health and sports science, many doctors began to promote aerobic exercise , which aims to promote heart health and physical fitness. During this period, many forms of exercise, such as jogging, walking, and cycling , began to gain popularity.

2. The Birth of Aerobics

The official birth of bodybuilding as a specialized aerobic sport is closely tied to the work of American sports scientist Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper. In 1968, Cooper coined the term “aerobic” and promoted the scientific research of aerobic exercise. He defined aerobic exercise as a form of exercise that improves cardiopulmonary function and enhances cardiovascular health through prolonged, moderately intense exercise.

Keir Kayte and the Scientific Basis of Aerobic Exercise :
Keir Kayte’s research revealed the multiple health benefits of aerobic exercise, particularly in reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. His findings and ideas subsequently contributed to the development of aerobics.

3. The popularity and commercialization of aerobics

Jane Fonda is credited with popularizing aerobic exercise and its current popularity . Jane Fonda was a Hollywood star and a passionate advocate for fitness. In the 1980s, she released a series of aerobic fitness videos and films that popularized aerobics and sparked a fitness craze.

1980s: Jane Foda’s Fitness Revolution.
Jane Foda’s aerobics videos became a viral sensation in the 1980s, transforming aerobics beyond the realm of professional athletes and becoming a part of everyday fitness. Her videos covered not only basic aerobics movements but also effective methods for weight loss and body sculpting. The popularity of these videos further expanded the aerobics market, making it a common practice in gyms and health clubs.

4. Diversified development of aerobics

As aerobics became more popular, it evolved into different forms and styles. Initially, aerobics was mostly high-intensity, fast movements, but later different types of aerobics developed, such as:

Low-impact aerobics : This type of aerobics reduces the impact on parts such as the knee joints and is suitable for beginners or people with knee problems.
Dance aerobics : Aerobics that combines dance elements has more rhythmic movements and incorporates modern pop music, attracting more fitness enthusiasts who love dance.
Step aerobics : It achieves the effect of aerobic exercise through stepping, jumping and other movements. This form pays more attention to pace and rhythm, and is suitable for those who like challenges.

As time goes by, aerobics has become more and more diverse in form, and has been combined with other fitness exercises such as Pilates and yoga to form today’s more comprehensive fitness system.

Modernization and Globalization of Aerobics

With the rise of the global fitness trend, aerobics has become a common fitness activity not only in the United States but also globally, gaining a significant foothold in the fitness markets of Europe, Asia, and Latin America . Fitness centers and sports clubs in many countries and regions now offer aerobics classes, making them a part of daily fitness routines.

Professionalization of aerobics : With the popularity of aerobics, more and more professional fitness coaches began to teach aerobics, and some professional competitions and certification organizations also emerged. This made aerobics a more professional and standardized sport, thus attracting more fitness enthusiasts to join.
Digitalization and aerobics : With the development of technology, many fitness platforms have begun to offer online aerobics classes , allowing people who cannot attend classes in person to practice aerobics at home. This shift has greatly promoted the popularity of aerobics around the world.

The exercise value and health benefits of aerobics

Bodybuilding, as an aerobic exercise, has many health benefits:

Improve cardiopulmonary function : Aerobics helps improve heart health and enhance lung endurance.
Burn calories and reduce body fat : Through high-intensity exercise, aerobics can effectively burn calories and help reduce fat and shape the body.
Enhance muscle strength : Many movements in aerobics can exercise various parts of the body and enhance muscle strength.
Improves flexibility and coordination : The movements and steps of calisthenics require participants to coordinate their bodies, thereby improving flexibility and coordination.

Additionally, aerobics can help reduce stress and boost your mood, making it a very beneficial physical and mental exercise.

Summary: The origin and development of aerobics

The origins of aerobics began with the idea of aerobic exercise in the early 20th century and were further developed by the research of Keir Kettering .
Jane Foda popularized aerobics in the 1980s, making the sport part of global fitness culture.
As time went by, aerobics became more diverse, specialized, and standardized, eventually becoming the popular fitness exercise it is today.

Aerobics is not only a sport, it also represents a positive attitude towards life, driving more and more people around the world to a healthy, energetic and happy lifestyle.