women are big fans of the latest fitness fads to help us stay in shape, and now a new video has captured exercise trends from the an entire century in just 100 seconds the youtube film, starring an energetic professional dancer, showcases fitness fads and movements from the 1910s to the current day and the clip has already attracted almost 12,000 views since its launch five days ago created by benenden wellbeing services, the video is intended to shed light on the changeable nature of women's exercise the uk fitness industry is worth £4 billion and growing, with a record 132 per cent of the population belonging to gyms, but the landscape of female fitness has dramatically changed from 100 years ago a new youtube video showcases fitness fads and movements from the 1910s to the current day, starting with the gentle stretches of the 1910s which were used to improve the hips and even ease constipation  ten years on and women had moved on to more dynamic stretches, often while wearing silk night gowns  the women's league of health and beauty aimed to bring fitness to the masses in the 1930s  travelling through time, decade by decade, 100 years of fitness begins with a look at the gentle stretch exercises favoured in the 1910s and 1920s: a time when perspiration was seen as 'unfeminine' the hula hoop and twister fads of the mid 20th century are also featured the video ends with the biggest fitness movement of the millennium, zumba the 1940s saw an early form of sit up as a 'sweat reducing' excercise  the hula hoop was an almighty craze in the mid century but also provided a form of exercise  the trim twist was an exercise board popular among sixties housewives and office workers  jazzercise was introduced to seventies fitness fans by former broadway star judi sheppard missett  a spokesman for benenden, says that we often unaware of how long the notion of keeping fit has been around: 'keeping fit didn't begin with lycra and aerobics classes both sexes have been keeping themselves in shape in different ways for centuries, so this showcase of the past 100 years is benenden's own tribute to the passage of time' eighties style aerobics is a high energy cardiovascular exercise that is still popular today  tae bo combined taekwondo and boxing and was popular ahead of the millennium  fitness through dance returned in the form of street dance in 2000s  zumba has remained a favourite over the past five years for its fun approach to fitness  1910s: women's main form of exercise was comprised of gentle stretches that were said to improve the hips and, believe it or not, ease constipation! 1920s: fitness costumes included silk nightgowns 1930s: the genteel women's league of health and beauty aimed to bring fitness to the masses its motto: 'movement is life' members attended group classes and wore black shorts and white satin vests 1940s: sweat reducing exercises were the order of the day, including an early form of sit up 1950s: the hula hoop took centre stage, promoted as an exercise tool! who knew you could have so much fun while burning calories? 1960s: the trim twist, a square of pressed board on top of a metal turning mechanism, was a hit with housewives and office workers alike 1970s: former broadway star, judi sheppard missett, introduced jazzercise! this combination of aerobic exercise and jazz dancing was designed to slim and tone, and is still practised in 32 countries today 1980s: day glo leotards and big hair dominated high energy aerobic routines and high kicks provided an intense cardiovascular workout 1990s: billy blanks, an american taekwondo instructor, brought tae bo to the nation his exercise trend combined taekwondo and boxing 2000s: the decade in which fitness through dance returned 'street dance' passed through school yards and local neighbourhoods into dance studios and gyms 2010s: fitness is more fast paced than ever zumba incorporates elements of hip hop, soca, salsa, samba, merengue and mambo it feels more like a trip to a nightclub with friends than an effort to get fit
street dance and zumba the past century
a new video reveals women's fitness developments over the past century  early forms of exercise were used for alternative health benefits as well as fitness, including squats to ease the symptoms of constipation  later forms of fitness sees women opting for dance related methods as a fun form of exercise including street dance and zumba 