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 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-mile march, and at the end build a marching camp.
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.
What forms of exercise did people do to keep healthy in ancient Rome? ›
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.
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.
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.
Did Romans lift weights? ›
Romans often exercised at the public baths, where both sexes and most social classes regularly gathered, says classicist Nigel Crowther of Western University. Men might play ball, run, wrestle, box, or lift weights. Women swam, played a hoop-rolling game called trochus, and especially favored ball games.
What was the average weight of a Roman man? ›
Weight of an average Roman soldier: Historians estimate that the average weight of a Roman soldier during the Imperial era (27 BCE - 476 CE) was around 70-75 kg (154-165 lbs).
How long did Romans live on average? ›
Life expectancy at birth was a brief 25 years during the Roman Empire, it reached 33 years by the Middle Ages and raised up to 55 years in the early 1900s. In the Middle Ages, the average life span of males born in landholding families in England was 31.3 years and the biggest danger was surviving childhood.
What was the ideal Roman body? ›
“Wealthy ancient Roman women, had a long list of beauty ideals to check off: being slim but robust; high, round, youthful breasts; narrow shoulders; small waist; wide hips and thighs; long, hairless legs; rosy lips and cheeks.
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.
They ate a diet high in carbohydrates, such as barley and beans, and low in animal proteins. Their meals looked nothing like the paleo or meat-and-fish centric diets now associated with elite warriors and athletes. Learn with Us!
How often did Romans exercise? ›
The Romans did much the same as the Greeks. Most Greek and Roman cities featured gymnasiums where men (for the Greeks) and both men and women (for the Romans) could get daily exercise.
What was the life expectancy of a Roman soldier? ›
The Roman lifespan for men was 41 years. The entry age for the Roman army was 18-22. So after his 25 years of service, he would been 43-47 years old — provided he had managed to live beyond the average life expectancy.
How tall were most Roman soldiers? ›
" 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 tall was the average Roman male? ›
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 ...
What was the size of a Roman soldier? ›
Romans were similar in height to people now. The average height of a Roman Soldier was 5′7, whereas the average American in 2016 is 5′9. So on average, they were slightly smaller, but not by a huge amount. Like in today, Roman society was a mixture of 6 footers, medium sized people, and shorterpeople.
What were the physical requirements for the Roman army? ›
There were strict physical and social requirements for recruitment: they had to be men of at least 172 cm (5 feet 7 inches) tall and, though there was no minimum age requirement, they had to join before the age of 35. All recruits needed a letter of recommendation and faced gruelling training.
How heavy was a Roman soldiers pack? ›
-- In ancient times, it was routine for a soldier to demand a citizen carry his load for up to a Roman mile, a distance of 1,000 paces. This practice, formerly known as "impressment," was no easy task, considering a soldier's backpack routinely weighed upwards of 100 pounds.
How well trained were Roman soldiers? ›
He also carried a 'pilum' (javelin), a helmet, armor, shield and a pack with supplies. Soldiers were rigorously trained to march long distances, fight in precise formations, and kill expertly with all the weapons they carried.
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.