At the end of the nineteenth century, a fanatical craze for physical fitness swept through Britain. Millions of men and women took up gymnastics, body building, and other physical exercises. Such a thing had never happened before, and it was given a name - Physical Culture.

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The quote by Adam Curtis describes a historical moment in Britain at the end of the nineteenth century when there was a widespread and intense interest in physical fitness. This period saw millions of men and women engaging in activities like gymnastics, bodybuilding, and various other forms of exercise, marking a significant cultural shift toward valuing physical health.

This movement was unprecedented in its scale and enthusiasm, leading to the coining of the term Physical Culture. The phrase captured the idea of fitness as a societal phenomenon, emphasizing not just individual health but a broader cultural emphasis on the body and exercise as vital parts of daily life.

Originating from Curtis’s exploration of social and cultural history, the quote highlights how the fitness craze of that era laid the groundwork for modern health and exercise movements. It shows the roots of today’s fitness industry in a time when physical well-being became a mass cultural priority.