gym

athletic facility equipped for sports or physical training

Gym is a shortened form of "gymnasium" referring to facilities intended for indoor sports or exercise. ''Gym'' also can refer informally to a physical education course, and to a metal frame support used in outdoor play equipment, as in "jungle gym".

Etymology - The word is derived from the Greek ''gymnos'' which means naked. The Greek word ''gymnasium'' means "place to be naked," and was used in ancient Greece to designate a locality for the education of young men, including physical education (exercise) which was customarily performed naked, as well as bathing, and studies. For the Greeks, physical education was considered at least as important as cognitive learning. Most Greek ''gymnasia'' had libraries that could be utilized after relaxing in the baths.

History of the Gym - Gymnasiums in Germany were an outgrowth of the Turnplatz, an outdoor area for gymnastics, promoted by German educator Friedrich Jahn and the Turners, a nineteenth-century political and gymnastic movement. The first indoor gymnasium in Germany was probably the one built in Hesse in 1852 by Adolph Spiess, an enthusiast for boys' and girls' gymnastics in the schools. In the United States, the Turner movement thrived in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The first Turners group was formed in Cincinnati in 1848. The Turners built gymnasiums in several cities like Cincinnati and St. Louis which had large German American populations. These gyms were utilized by adults, as well. Gymnasiums in the United States predate the Turner movement. A public gymnasium movement sprung up in the 1820s and 1830s but was eclipsed by the growth of school, college, and YMCA gymnasiums. The first college gymnasium probably was the one built at Harvard University in 1820. Although privately owned, it was maintained for the use of the students. Like most of the gymnasiums of the period, it was equipped with gymnastic apparatus. The United States Military Academy at West Point built a gym during the same era. A few other American colleges built gyms by the 1850s. Harvard opened a new brick gymnasium in 1860 with two bowling alleys and dressing rooms in addition to the gymnasitc facility.The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) first organized in Boston 1851. Ten years later there were some two hundred YMCAs across the country, most of which provided gymnasiums for exercise and games.The 1920s was a decade of prospierity that witnessed the building of large numbers of public high schools with gymnasiums. Over the course of the twentieth century gymnasiums have been reconceptualized to accommodate the popular team and individual games and sports that have suppplanted gymnastics in the school curriculum.Today, it is the norm for virtually all American colleges and high schools to have gymnasiums. Many middle schools also have built gyms, as have a few elementary schools. These facilities are utilized for physical education, intramural sports and interschool athletics.

Current use of the term - Today the term gymnasium (plural: gymnasiums or gymnasia) in the sense of a sports facility is used in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Spain, Portugal and !elsewhere.ca:Gimnàspt:Ginási osv:Gym

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FITNESSSTUDIOS-ONLINE
FITNESSSTUDIOS-ONLINE.de is a special surch engine for fitnessstudios and fitnesscenter in Germany. Addition to that you can evaluate the listed studios. Furthermore there is a Forum for job exchange, used maschines and real estate exchange.
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The Ultimate climbing Gym at Tumblebees
A full service indoor rock climbing facility, the Ultimate Climbing Gym has a full boulder cave, 15 top ropes with 2-5 routes per rope, and a full lead climbing wall. We have classes for all ages, offer private lessons, and also guided outside climbs. Equiptment rentall is available.
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CLS Fitness Inc.
We specialize in on-site fitness for companies, schools and community centres. We also do lunch and learn lectures on health and wellness, such as Yikes My Aching Back! Stress relief through Breath and many others.
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The Encounter
The Encounter is a Youth For Christ run Youth Center in the heart of Duluth, MN. With Skateboarding, Basketball, pool, two music Venues & college programs the Encounter is sure to meet all young peoples needs.
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TheTrainingStationInc.com - The Last Stop In Total Fitness
Beginner to advanced workouts, animated exercise examples, printable workout sheets, live gym cams & music, extensive resource directory.
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WaterGym®
WaterGym is a water aerobic workout for men and women which mimics running, biking, weight lifting & more! Excellent flotation belt and workout videos sold here!
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Xtreme Boxing
Amatuer Boxing website for Northern California
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Gold's Gym
Head Office of the gym franchise. Gym locator to find the one nearest you. Locations worldwide.
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Brain Gym
Offers books, tapes, and CDs regarding physical activities that have been shown in enhance concentration and cognitive and learning abilities.
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GymAmerica.com
Offering programs custom-designed by exercise specialists.
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Total Gym
Maker of a versatile piece of home exercise equipment.
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Gym.Net
Specializing in gymnastics oriented operations: designs and builds web sites for gyms and camps.
http://www.gym.net/