The Most Hated Workout Equipment to Ever Make Gym Class
Going to the gym isn't something most people enjoy. There are gym machines that defined an era and weren't exactly comfortable for exercising. Some were uncomfortable, others dangerous, and still others simply weren't very useful.
The old mechanical rowing machines weren't very helpful, there were weights that very few could lift due to their rigidity or design, and exercise bikes that made your legs ache from how hard they were to pedal.
Sometimes, this equipment was poorly calibrated, others could cause injuries, or they simply became obsolete. Many of these machines were replaced or eliminated over time by more modern ones.
Rowing Machine
Woman using a rowing machine, 1920s.
New York Gym
Women exercising in New York gym, 1910.
Roman Chair
Woman using a roman chair and a barbell to train quads in the 1950s.
Globe Barbell
Woman training with a globe barbell in either a one handed press or jerk. Man look out. 1920s.
Barbells
Woman takes a rest over some barbells in the gym after a workout in 1940s.
Gym Set Up
Woman showing her weight set up 100 pounds barbell in squatpress stand, 2 dumbells, 2 bigger ones behind and 4 piles of lose plates, 1940s.
Arm Hang
Woman does a horizontal single arm hang on a trapeze at the gym with a little twit to it, mid 1930s.
Dr. Gustav Zander
The world’s first gym machines designed by Dr. Gustav Zander, 1892.
Exercise Machines
Odd exercise machines from the 1920s and 1950s. First one seems to be a weight shaker, second appears to be for deadlifts.
Training
“My uncle training for the US National Bodybuilding competition, early '80s.”
Gym In The 1980s
“My mom in the gym, 1980.”
Army Gym
“My father in the army gym in the '70s.”
Man In The Gym
“My dad in the gym, 1991.”
Bodybuilding
In the 1980s, bodybuilding - for both sexes - became a craze.
Rings And Barbells
Group of ladies in a common gym in the 1950s. Rings, barbells and some wall equipement are visible.
Early Gym Equipment
Early gym equipment by Swedish physician and orthopaedist.
Ladies
Couple of ladies at the gym, 1975.
Electric Horse Exercise Machine
A passenger riding the electric horse exercise machine in the gym of the ocean liner SS Bermuda, 1925.
Cycling Machines
A man and a woman riding on cycling machines in the first-class gym onboard RMS Titanic, 1911.
Gym In the Titanic
A gym abroad the Titanic, 1912.
