Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-07-19
THEIR METHODS OF TRAINING.
Prizc Fighters and Athletss-Radical
Errors OF Jrajncr--Self- Denial.

Prize Fighters and Athletss-Radical
Errors OF Traincrs-Self- Denial
Ever since athletic sports have been fol-
owed people have put themselves on record
through miSstatementS about prize fighters
md their methods Of training-how this
/ hat mans death was caused by Overtraining
IT to- rapid preparation for any special
eat. No question has brought to light 81
/ nurh gross Ignorance rs this one IL is not
! lvcrtraining t1at causes the trouble, but in
ufiiCient work. or total negligence of train
( lng. The writer's experience dates back to
the time when drcnChing and many hours OF
| fatiguinE work were the rule, and, even with
all their errors, the trainers of a quarter Of a
century ago got their men into better con-
/ iitiOn than the latter day trainers do
| The mOlcrn trainers go to the other eX-
Creme rs they scarcely work their charges at
all. prefcrring to have their men big and
strong rather than thin and Overdrawn.
Some have struck the happy medium, and
( they invariably present their men in good
trim. This is generally accomplished by slow
and careful work, which, while not being
snowy, is mono the less thorough. One of the
most radical errors modern trainers plunge
into Is the rushing system. They get hold Of
strapping young fellow, who is high in
| flesh and think that by the driving process
they can get him tit in fortnight. They
generally do succeed in getting him down to
the last stage Of spaTsenesS Of flesh, but the
athletes strength has also passed away with
. SupcrfluOus tissue.
The man looks well to the eye, but he is
very much like n cardboard houst-apt 10
fall in if hit in the middle Many an athlete
has stepped into the arena looking fit To con
tend for a kingdom, while, i'll reality, he was
less able 10 stand as much punishment or
straining rs his antagonist, who was fat and
hal done no work at all OF course there
are some men who can reduce very rapidly
and retain certain amount of physical
strength and vitality. Yet even these find
constant and speedy training spells take all
the steel out Of them, and each succeeding
spell of preparation find them less inclined
than ever to jump out and take their Cruel
with that zeSt which shows that an athlete
has lost none of his old power.
Such methods as these have ruined more
men than anything else, for a lazy man will
do more harm in a week than can be undOne
in a month. No Une, only those who have
undergone severe athletic preparation
knows what is endured during the first week
or 50 Of training, The removal of the loose
fat, especially that which is inside, seems to
engender an all-devouring thirst, and the
first thing an athlete does Is TO resort to
liquids If he be professional it is ten to
one that he Graves for something stronger
than water. Here is where the SelfIlenial
comes in, for should he give way all the good
work done by exercise will be undOne in
very few minutes. II he manages to fight
the craving down his reward will be great.
for the parching thirst will gradually disap-
pear. The superfluouS flesh will melt as
though by magic and i'll its place healthy
growth OF muscle will make its appearance
Cor. New York Star