Strength training has been around for thousands of years, but until the early 20th One and Done Workout Century it was known as "weight lifting" and was considered a sport. The terms "strength training" and "resistance training" are often used interchangeably.The use of free weights in some form is the oldest method of strength training. Weight lifting using the dumbbell can be dated to the 2nd Century CE, while the larger barbell was first used during the second half of the 19th Century.
From the 1960's on, machines using weights and a system of pulleys for resistance became a popular method of resistance training, although these machines were primarily installed in gyms or health clubs.Beginning with the popularity of body building in the 1980's, a wide variety of machines were developed for use in the home, and subsequently introduced into the marketplace. These machines remain as popular as ever, with new versions and inventions released every year.
Virtually all health clubs and traditional gyms now have some type of mechanical device for resistance training, and many workout centers have more than one such device. They are collectively known as "universal weight machines." It is possible to exercise all of your muscles and muscle groups using the various configurations of these machines.