#26: Treadmills Were Originally Punishment
Here’s a fact that makes perfect sense if you’ve ever felt miserable during cardio: the treadmill was originally invented as a device to punish prisoners in England more than 200 years ago. It wasn’t meant to improve fitness — it was designed to exhaust inmates.
Later in the U.S., the treadmill was reimagined as a medical tool to test heart and lung function. Eventually, it evolved into today’s fitness staple. Suddenly, all those moments of staring at the clock while running feel historically justified.
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