Health & Fitness Blog
1 Aug 2024
Celebrating the 2024 Olympics
The Summer of 2024 has been full of major sporting events, but the biggest of them all is happening right now- the 2024 Paris Olympics! Across our LivingWell Clubs we have been feeling the Olympic Spirit and celebrating across our gyms and pools.
The Olympics is one of the most significant sporting events in the world, with a rich history that spans thousands of years. The origins of the Olympics began in ancient Greece, where the first recorded Olympic Games were believed to be held in 776 BC in Olympia. These early Games featured various athletic competitions, including running, wrestling, and chariot racing. The modern Olympics were revived in 1894 by French educator Pierre de Coubertin, who wanted to promote peace and unity through sports. The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens, Greece, and included 14 nations competing in 43 events. Since then, the Olympics have grown exponentially, with the Summer and Winter Games now featuring thousands of athletes from over 200 countries, competing in a diverse range of sports.
The Olympics hold immense importance on multiple levels, making them a global spectacle. They promote international unity and peace by bringing together athletes from varied backgrounds and cultures, fostering camaraderie and mutual respect. The Olympics inspire excellence and perseverance with athletes’ dedication and resilience acting as sources of inspiration around the world.
Participating in the Olympics offers several benefits that extend beyond just competition. Firstly, athletes gain improved physical health and fitness through rigorous training and competition. Then there are mental benefits of participation, as sports can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while the pursuit of Olympic goals promotes discipline, resilience, and personal growth. Additionally, the sheer enjoyment and fulfilment resulting from competing at the highest level of the sport make participation in the Olympics a extremely rewarding experience.
Are you inspired by watching the Olympics on TV? You can complete your own Olympic workout in a LivingWell Gym.
Our very own team GB won a gold in the female team rowing event. You could try your hand at rowing by timing yourself to row 1,000m. Then, retest yourself after a few weeks to see how much your fitness and strength has improved.
Or if you fancy a swim, set yourself a time limit, e.g. 15, 20 or 30 minutes, and see how many lengths you can complete in this time.
If you would like some guidance on fitness routines, why not ask our Team members about our FREE Personalised Fitness for Life Programmes?
