Published on December 10, 2021
The Roman Army of ancient Rome was so powerful because of its Training and Equipment which was advanced for its day.In order to be considered fit enough to be a legionnaire (the name given to a Roman soldier), one had to be able to march 20 miles in 5 hours with the full armour and kit weighing 45lbs. And then do a fast 18-milemarch,and at the end build a marching camp. They were put through many boot camp-style exercises and the fact that this style of training is still used by modern armies is testament to its success. They trained with wooden swords that were twice as heavy as the real thing so that in battle they were deadly fast.
Life is a battle. So why exercise on top of all the stresses you face each day?
Exercise:Definition: latin: exercitium: keep busy, practice.
Exercise is the closest thing to the “magic bullet”, for maintaining youth and optimal health.A well-balanced combination of exercise and nutrition benefits your body both physically and psychologically.
Regular exercise improves digestionand the body’s eliminationprocess (If food goes into your stomach where strong hormones/chemicals break down the foodinto a soup which is spooned into the small intestine, (don’t be fooled the small intestine is 22 feet long approx . 3 and one-half times longer than your body.), where the nutrients are transferred to the bloodstream so they can be used by the body. Then what is left over goes into the large intestine where more good stuff is taken out such as water etc and what is left is stool which is excreted).
Exercise helps this digestive process, as well as energy levels,and promotes lean body mass while burning fat.
Exercise reduces stress and anxiety, which can contribute to illness and other unwanted conditions. Why is this? Well, the Mind/brain can only concentrate on one thing at a time. This statement is not entirely true.A better way to put it is, the present worry, anxiety, stress, attention grabber, that predominates your immediate actions or inactions, takes a lot of your physical and mental energy. When you exercise you are forced to concentrate on what you are doing and you by doing the exercise break the chain/link to the unwanted stress grabber.
According to its 1996 report published in the Journal of the AmericanMedical Association, low fitness may pose as a greater risk to health as smoking and a greater risk than high cholesterol, high blood pressure or obesity,
It was reported that smokers that were moderately physically fit were alive longer than non-smokerswho are healthy but sedentary, (a person who sits at work or sits and is not active).
What You Can Do
Moderate fitness can be achieved in 10 weeks, through many different forms of exercise such as bicycling, walking or even gardening.However, it is best to have a daily routine of some of the following.
- Static exercises are low-level exercises to calm down the body’s muscles that are overstretchedandtired.
- Range of motionexercise helps maintain a joint’s complete movement by putting the body through a certain set of movements.
- Strengthening exercises helps the muscles abilityto contract and do work.
- Doing sit-ups for example strengthens abdominal muscles.
A word of caution: Please consult your care providerbefore embarking on any exercise program as it is important to do these exercises on a gradient and if you feel discomfort stop immediately and consult your care provider.
And part of keeping fit requires the ability to keep going and have an interest in your health. Getting regular chiropractic adjustments really helps your overall wellness and keeps you motivated to stay on top of your health. So come into the clinic before Xmasand get adjusted.
JOHN KEANE. SPINOLOGIST
FAQs
In general, Roman exercises were simple and involved running, jumping, weightlifting and strength training. Galen was a great believer in working out with a medicine ball as the best all-round exercise and wrote about it in his book The Exercise with the Small Ball.
Were Roman soldiers physically fit? ›
They were put through many boot camp-style exercises and the fact that this style of training is still used by modern armies is testament to its success. They trained with wooden swords that were twice as heavy as the real thing so that in battle they were deadly fast.
What forms of exercise did people do to keep healthy in ancient Rome? ›
See projections of Romans and the exercises they would have done in the gym, including Trigon (a Roman ball game), Halteres (a type of dumb-bell used in the Roman's version of the long-jump), wrestling and weightlifting.
What were 3 things Roman soldiers were expected to do in addition to fighting and training? ›
When they weren't fighting, they were building forts and bridges. They were also supervising in mines and quarries, standing guard duty, or working on road repairs.
How much weight did a Roman soldier carry? ›
Throughout most of history soldier's loads were remarkably consistent, most often carrying about 50 to 60 pounds of equipment and supplies. Roman soldiers of whatever period tended to fall within this range.
What was the average weight of a Roman soldier? ›
They marched like crazy.
The Roman legions were exceptionally good at marching, and they used to do it sometimes 20–25 miles a day in full gear, which consisted of 45 lbs of equipment, 40 lbs worth of sword and shield, plus 20 lbs of rations, for over 100 lbs total. Not bad for guys who weighed 145 lbs on average.
Were Roman soldiers tall? ›
" Imperial regulations, though not entirely unambiguous, suggest that the minimum height for new recruits was five Roman feet, seven inches (165 cm., 5'5") ... for the army as a whole a reasonable estimate of a soldier's average height is around 170 cm (5'7").
How big were Roman men? ›
The researchers found that male heights ranged between 152 centimeters (5 feet) to 195.4 centimeters (6 feet 5 inches), with a mean of 168.5 centimeters (5 feet 6 inches), while female heights lay between 143.5 centimeters (4 feet 8 inches) to 177.6 centimeters (5 feet 10 inches), with a mean stature of 157.8 ...
Why were Roman soldiers so strong? ›
The training that soldiers had to do was very tough and thorough and included marching 20 miles a day wearing full armour. This meant that the Roman armies were very fit and organised. Training included marching in formation and learning specific tactics and manoeuvres for battle.
What was the physique of a Roman soldier? ›
Roman soldiers were expected to be strong and fit, as they were required to carry a significant amount of equipment and march long distances. The average Roman legionary was about 5'6" tall and weighed about 160 pounds.
These athletes were vegetarians
Most people in the Roman Empire had a vegetarian diet, and it turns out that the gladiators were no different. They relied on wheat and barley and plant proteins like beans to get their protein fix1.
What was the daily diet of a Roman? ›
The Romans primarily ate cereals and legumes, usually with sides of vegetables, cheese, or meat and covered with sauces made out of fermented fish, vinegar, honey, and various herbs and spices.
What were Roman soldiers good at? ›
How well trained were Roman soldiers? A Roman soldier was a well-trained fighting machine. He could march 20 miles a day, wearing all his armour and equipment. He could swim or cross rivers in boats, build bridges and smash his way into forts.
What was the minimum age to be a Roman soldier? ›
The legionaries were the elite (very best) soldiers. A legionary had to be over 17 years old and a Roman citizen. Every new recruit had to be fighting fit - anyone who was weak or too short was rejected. Legionaries signed up for at least 25 years' service.
What did Roman soldiers do daily? ›
Days were spent practicing formations, mock battles, and endurance marches. The training grounds echoed with the clatter of weapons and the shouts of centurions, ensuring that each man knew his place in the vast military machine and could execute orders without hesitation.
What did the Roman soldiers do for fun? ›
In large military camps, amphitheaters were built, and the emperor (or the local commander) would treat the soldiers to some good old gladiatorial combat and wild beast hunts. Many executions were also performed in the amphitheatre, for the enjoyment of the soldiers.
Did Roman soldiers do calisthenics? ›
was already used in ancient times, e.g. by the Greeks and Romans, and one of the earliest records of calisthenics is Herodotus's account that it was used by the Spartans in training for the upcoming Battle of Thermopylae.
The Roman Army of ancient Rome was so powerful because of its Training and Equipment which was advanced for its day.In order to be considered fit enough to be a legionnaire (the name given to a Roman soldier), one had to be able to march 20 miles in 5 hours with the full armour and kit weighing 45lbs. And then do a fast 18-milemarch,and at the end build a marching camp. They were put through many boot camp-style exercises and the fact that this style of training is still used by modern armies is testament to its success. They trained with wooden swords that were twice as heavy as the real thing so that in battle they were deadly fast.