The Baths of Camperdown Fitness

Roman baths in the late republic and imperial era were much more than just public baths. My understanding is they were kind of a swimming pool complex with a gym, cafe and even meeting rooms. People moved through a range of different temperature pools, exercised, discussed sport, business and politics, wrestled, ate and escaped the heat or cold of the season. People used to love just there hanging. The emperor Caracalla had one build in the 200CE that was 330m square!


Last week whilst hanging around at Camperdown Fitness, I listened to a podcast and did an occasional movement with a heavy weight. I noticed a couple doing an extended bathhouse style session. You know, moving, talking, drinking, looking, etc. Halfway through a friend arrived to say hello, they sat on the ground in a circle for 15 mins and discussed sport, business and politics.


A few days prior to that I was with some people who had concluded doing something dirty and were on their way to a place which required them to be clean. They decided to not go home in between, instead to head To the local Anytime Fitness to use the sauna and then the showers.


People love gyms, and not just to exercise in. It’s a place to have a smoothy and talk about Crixus the Gaul or whoever is playing that weekend. 3.9% annual growth, every year for the last 5 in Australia. Gyms are going off, I’d like to think that if Caracalla were to drop into Sydney 1800 years after his time, he’d know where to go for a casual afternoon.