Editing Strength training (section)

== History ==
{{See also|History of physical training and fitness}}

[[File:EarlyBarbell.png|right|thumb|upright|[[Arthur Saxon]] performing a [[Two Hands Anyhow]] with an early [[kettlebell]] and plate-loaded [[barbell]]]]
The genealogy of lifting can be traced back to the beginning of recorded history<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Weightlifting/Weightlifting101/History-of-Weightlifting|title=The History of Weightlifting |work=USA Weightlifting|publisher=United States Olympic Committee|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130707092816/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Weightlifting/Weightlifting101/History-of-Weightlifting|archive-date=7 July 2013|access-date=3 September 2018|quote=The genealogy of lifting traces back to the beginning of recorded history where man's fascination with physical prowess can be found among numerous ancient writings. A 5,000-year-old Chinese text tells of prospective soldiers having to pass lifting tests.}}</ref> where humanity's fascination with physical abilities can be found among numerous ancient writings. In many prehistoric tribes, they would have a big rock they would try to lift, and the first one to lift it would inscribe their name into the stone. Such rocks have been found in [[Greece|Greek]] and [[Scotland|Scottish]] castles.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/sports/weightlifting|title=Weightlifting {{!}} sport|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=2018-04-19}}</ref> Progressive resistance training dates back at least to [[Ancient Greece]], when legend has it that wrestler [[Milo of Croton]] trained by carrying a newborn [[calf (animal)|calf]] on his back every day until it was fully grown. Another Greek, the physician [[Galen]], described strength training exercises using the [[halteres (ancient Greece)|halteres]] (an early form of [[dumbbell]]) in the 2nd century.

Ancient Greek sculptures also depict lifting feats. The weights were generally stones, but later gave way to dumbbells. The dumbbell was joined by the barbell in the later half of the 19th century. Early barbells had hollow globes that could be filled with [[sand]] or [[lead shot]], but by the end of the century these were replaced by the plate-loading barbell commonly used today.<ref name=Todd>Todd, Jan (1995). [http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/IGH/IGH0306/IGH0306c.pdf From Milo to Milo: A History of Barbells, Dumbbells, and Indian Clubs.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731101012/http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/IGH/IGH0306/IGH0306c.pdf |date=2012-07-31 }} Iron Game History (Vol.3, No.6).</ref>

Weightlifting was first introduced in the Olympics [[1896 Summer Olympics|in the 1896 Athens Olympic Games]] as a part of track and field, and was officially recognized as its own event in 1914.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/sports/weightlifting|title=weightlifting &#124; sport|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|date=29 August 2023 }}</ref>

The 1960s saw the gradual introduction of [[exercise machine]]s into the still-rare strength training [[gym]]s of the time. Weight training became increasingly popular in the 1970s, following the release of the bodybuilding movie ''[[Pumping Iron]],'' and the subsequent popularity of [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. Since the late 1990s, increasing numbers of women have taken up weight training; currently, nearly one in five U.S. women engage in weight training on a regular basis.<ref name=U.S.C.D.P.>{{cite web | title = Sculpted trend spurs women to pump iron | date = 20 July 2006 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/13956966|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130408013121/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/13956966/|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 April 2013| agency = Associated Press | work = [[NBC News]] |access-date=2007-02-01}}</ref>