Around six percent of the English language is rooted in Greek. Some estimates say it’s twelve or fifteen percent. If you include words with a Greek prefix or suffix, that’s possible.

The Grecian formula for English words is usually two Greek words turned into one English word, such as hippo (horse), and potamios (river), to form hippopotamus. Sometimes, it’s a single word, like galaxy (milk). Lot’s of scientific and medical words begin with a Greek prefix (arthr = joint – arthritis) or suffix (y = tells condition – grumpy).

From the Greek words kalos and sthenos, we get the English word calisthenics. The English define calisthenics as systematic rhythmic bodily exercises performed usually without apparatus. The Greeks define kalos sthenos as beautiful strength.

Fans, and likely contestants, viewed the first games at Olympia, in 776 B.C., through the lens of aesthetics, which to them meant of sense, of perception. Kalos sthenos emphasized the pleasure that derives from the perfection of the human body. It allows the viewer to admire the perfection of the performer’s body, and the beauty of the strength that body displays.

Modern sports fans view modern athletes through the same glasses the ancients did. We admire the strong bodies of athletes. We admire the feats of strength they perform with those bodies. Both are perceived as beautiful. Our modern technology allows to see phenomenal athletic performances repeatedly, in slow-motion, and in individual images. The gracefulness of an athletic body under control is beautiful.

Outside of the arena of elite athletes, where the hoi polloi play, what is beautiful strength? For some, it’s hitting a passing shot with authority, deep into the corner. Others see it in piping a drive perfectly in the fairway, past their competitors. A few will find it hitting a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to win their Beer Softball League championship.

For a lot of kids my age, though, kalos sthenos is seen as living well. The elegance of an upright posture. Gracefully placing a bag in the overhead compartment. Rising from and lowering into a chair, without using their arms. Lowering sturdily to one knee and pull a weed, tie a shoe, look at a bug a grandchild has caught, and standing easily. Combing your hair at ninety. Ninety-two. Ninety-five.

There is an abundance of evidence that shows that many of the conditions and illnesses associated with aging can be controlled, even avoided, by maintaining physical strength. Osteoporosis, diabetes, and dementia can all be abated or avoided by strength training.

Becoming beautifully strong is simple, especially if you hold the Grecian point of view that a healthy body, mind, and spirit benefits society. If you practice often the movements you’ve been doing since you learned to walk, pushing, pulling, lifting, squatting, lunging, and rotating, you’ll maintain your beautiful strength, and benefit from a beautiful life. Society benefits from the aesthetic pleasure derived from the perfection of the human body.