Few Interesting Facts About Sports Equipment

To ensure a complete workout experience with maximum levels of pleasure and comfort, using the right sports equipment is of the utmost importance. Having at disposal reliable pieces of sports gear will perfectly compliment your hard work and help you reach your ultimate workout goals, simpler and faster.

The history of sports equipment is as long and rich as the history of sports. The simple rule says – different types of sports, different types of sporting goods. The 21st century market overflows with pieces of sports equipment that range in material, size, shape and design. But, things have not always been the way they are today. The evolution of sporting goods industry can be best presented through the following interesting facts that will definitely keep your attention. Enjoy!

• The origins of protective shin pads (guards) used in sports like football, field hockey, ice hockey, cricket and lacrosse, date back to ancient Greek and Roman times. Greek and Roman warriors used to wear shin guards made out of bronze for the protection purposes during battles (we’ve all seen the movie Gladiator starring Russell Crowe).
• From Adam Scott to Geoff Ogilvy, Australia’s best golfers prefer TaylorMade golf balls. Did you know that in the past carpenters used to make the golf balls. They were initially made of hardwood. The commonly used material was the genuine beech trees, native for Canada and Eastern United States.
• Over the centuries, typical golf balls were introduced with their ‘updated’ versions, the so-called ‘featherie’ balls. Hence, a ‘featherie’ ball represented a white-painted leather pouch, filled with chicken or goose feathers. The exact amount was measured based on the amount of feathers that will fit in a gentleman’s top hat.
• At the very beginnings of tennis, first generations of tennis strings used to be made from sheep/goat intestine (believe it or not), due to its resilience and softness.
• Half a century ago, rugby was played with a spherical ball that featured an inner-tube made out of pig’s bladder. This is the reason why American footballers used to be called ‘pigskins’. Today’s ultramodern, sophisticated rugby balls are made from waterproof synthetic materials, while the NFL balls feature synthetic bladder with cowhide leather.
• In baseball professional leagues, aluminum bats are forbidden. Baseball bats are commonly made out of bamboo, maple and other types of ash wood.
• 21st century sporting goods engineers and designers use up-to-the-minute technology equipment for design and testing, including nanotechnology, wind tunnels, computer modeling and specialized robotic machinery.