Calisthenics

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Battle of Cannae

Calisthenics, physical activity based on strength training based on exercises using your own body weight (crunches, push-ups, etc.) 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.

Roman historian Livy writes that bodyweight exercises were also used by gladiators training in ludi (gladiatorial barracks).

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