It developed in the early 1970s simply as a form of exercise. In 1981 it became a competitive sport for individuals and groups. What is it called?

While many associate this fitness movement with the vibrant leotards and leg warmers of the 1980s, its origins are rooted in medical science. The term itself was coined by Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper, an Air Force physician, in his 1968 book "Aerobics," which focused on cardiovascular exercise like running and swimming. It was dance instructor Jacki Sorensen who adapted these principles into group classes set to music, creating "Aerobic Dancing" in the early 1970s and popularizing it as a form of exercise.

The activity exploded into a cultural phenomenon with the release of Jane Fonda's workout videos in the early 1980s. This widespread popularity led to its formalization as a competitive discipline. In 1981, the first National Aerobic Championship was held, transforming the fitness routine into a judged sport. Competitors, both individually and in groups, performed high-intensity, choreographed routines that showcased strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance.

Over the decades, the sport has continued to evolve. It is now internationally recognized as Aerobic Gymnastics, a discipline governed by the International Gymnastics Federation. This official sport combines the rhythm of dance with the power of gymnastics, a direct descendant of the exercise classes that first got people moving in the 70s.