Women Used To Stay Fit In Unbelievable Ways
Austin Smith

Obesity statistics continue to grab the headlines in the U.S. and currently, four out of 10 Americans are overweight. Tackling this is partly about eating a healthy diet and partly about getting enough exercise. These days, women fully participate in sport and exercise – gyms are full of women keeping in shape. However, this has not always been the case. Our mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers all faced significant societal barriers when it came to exercising. For years, exercise was simply not seen as ladylike. So, they became very inventive!

Take a look at some of the most fascinating photos from the early 20th century that showcase innovative activities for the time — and then marvel at just how far women’s fitness and extracurricular activities have evolved. (And since we’re talking about women — check out the greatest women innovators and inventors.)

We took each pic and restored the color so that we can get a sense of what it was like to live in those times.

Cycling


Source: Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
Long before there was SpinCycle or Peloton, there were cycling machines like those pictured here, circa 1922, in the gymnasium on the Homeric, a ship owned by White Star (the same company that operated Titanic). Cycling machines were commonly found in the fitness spaces on world-class ocean liners and were considered an activity primarily for the elite.

The First Exercise Bikes
Two women using the cycle machine in the gym on board the Homeric Liner, taken over from the Germans by White Star. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

The warmth of the color reveals the oak panelling on the walls of this 'gym'. It's very different to modern gyms and the exercise bikes themselves look a bit scary!



Rowing


Source: Getty Images
Actress and singer Alexis Smith is shown here getting in shape on a rowing machine in 1951. Smith was a film star first and closed out her career on stage, where she earned a Tony for her role in Follies. Fun fact: the rowing machine was invented in 1872.



Timing the Session
Canadian-born actress Alexis Smith (1921 - 1993) uses a rowing machine, while a police officer times her with a stopwatch, USA, circa 1951. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)

Adding color draws your eye to the woman in the uniform who appears to be timing the session. The rowing machine looks very different from those used today.

Swim Bars


Source: William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Getty Images
The ladies in this clip are demonstrating devices known as swim bars on a beach in 1935. You can still purchase swim bars today but they look a little different to these!

At the Beach
28th June 1935: A group of women exercising on the beach at Worthing using new inflated 'swim bars'. (Photo by William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Thanks to color, we can see that the outfits are not too different to those you would see women wearing at the beach right now - the shoes may be a little different though.

Tennis


Source: Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Back in 1919, French tennis player Suzanne Lenglen took the women’s singles title at Wimbledon — her first of five in a row. She was a maverick in the sport of women’s tennis as well as the fashions worn in play — her tennis outfit shown here was considered risque at the time, being called “indecent” by reporters.

Winning the Match
French tennis player Suzanne Lenglen (1899 - 1938) in play at the Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, London, 1st July 1919. She won the Women's Singles title that year. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

It's striking how adding color makes this scene look very similar to Wimbledon today - some thing never change!