The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-05-03


gradually increasing. Great athletes
when training use dumb-bells weighing
from one to three pounds. Fools use ten
pound bells. Gentle perseverance will
do all that Is necessary, but any eXertion
which oyerstrains the body may do great
harm. Exercises should graduate from
single movements with light clubs or
bells and the beginner should be careful
not to overtaX the muscles and ruin the
system by overeXertion.
The lifting of heavy weights should be
avoided for the reasons given above, for
such exercise tends to exhaust vitality
rather than to develop strength. 7 had a
pupil not long ago who in his street attire
looked like a Hercules. He was about
six feet in hight and must have weighed
about $50 pounds. | put him through a
few movements with clubs and bells, but
after five minutes work he was so eX-
hausted that he had to sit down. Then 1
Investigated and found the cause. His
flesh was as soft as a baby's, and he
would have been as much use in trial
of strength and endurance as q l6-year-
old boy. If he had run block he would
have dropped dead from apoplexy or
heart disease. He told me that If he
leaned back suddenly in his chair and
ran against any obstruction black and
blue bruise would result.
His arms were big enough, but were
soft and flabby, and he was DESTROYS of
having his arm developed, especially the
forearm. After months work his arm
IS hard and firm, and he is now taking
boxing lessons and bids fair to become a
healthy pupil. The trouble with most
beginners is that they rush through their
work and in five minutes they are en-
tirely exhausted and tired out. They
have not benefited themselves q particle.
"One young man came to me some
prn 81, y II i
and his muscular development was SUI
perb, with the possible exception of his
torearms, which were not so robust as
they might have been. He thought an
inch in circumference added to each arm
below the elbow would satisfy him. /
guaranteed to add that inch OF muscle in
four weeks if he would follow my instruc-
uons. ! first got pair of corkS usually
held in the hands by long-distance run
ners. They weighed an ounce each, but
1t gave him something to grip. l told
him to extend his arms at full length,
holding them almost rigid. l made him
move his hands toward his body and
back again. The wrist alone seemed to
be getting any benefit, but such was not
the case. The muscles in the forearm
were drawn back and forward, as any
one who tries the movement will readily
see. The movement was INDUCED in
regularly for month, and those arms
not only got as hard as pieces of steel, but
nearly an inch and a quarter was added
to their circumference. When he closed
his hand the muscles in the forearm stood
out like strips of pork tenderloin. There
We're burrows between the muscles into
which you could lay lead pencil.
u have been consulted by clerks and
newspaper men in regard to writer's
cramp,' and by typewriters and telegraph
operators, who are troubled not only with
writers cramp,' but also a stiffening of
the wrist. had a telegraph operator
here few months ago who said that his
wrist had given out through the constant
tapping on the bottom of the instrument
lie had been compelled to learn to use
his left hand in sending dispatches and
his work was necessarily slow. l put
him through simple course, and now he
IS using his right arm with the same
freedom as Of old. / gave him a sponge
to grip, and showed him regular move
ment for the fingers. Then | gave him
the corks and put him through the same
course [ did the young man who wanted
the circumference of his forearm in
creased. These simple, easy movements
do the most good, and their very sim
pllclty is probably the reason why people
fail to recognize their powerful egect."
An uptown physical institution re-
Gently established already has its full
quota of students. They are sent through
daily calisthenics and light exercises.
Only the lightest of instruments are used.
The dumb-bells for women and children
are generally of wood, and are made of
maple, birch, rosewood and lignum vitae.
Some OF the young women have become
SO proficient that they are now adopts on
the parallel bars and rings. A half-dozen
young women daily put on the boxing
gloves, and their friendly "set-tos'' are
h,I1
tistic at times. They understand the
mysteries of the "upper-cut," the round
arm blow and the straight facial punch"
as we'll as their robust brothers. The
women and children at the start are not
allowed to take any violent or sudden ex-
ercise which would strain dormant mus
cles. The instructor is quick to notice
fatigue, and the student is taken out of
the line and forced to rest, the system be-
ing to practice little at time, but often.
The writer spent several hours in the
gymnasium of the New York Athletic
Club the other day, watching the athletes
of that admirable institution at their
daily exercises. The most prominent
figure on the floor was Alexander A. Jor-
dan, who is one of the Board of Gov
errors of the club and is also the all
around champion athlete of America.
Jordan is gentleman athlete, in the
fullest sense OF the term, and possesses q
constitution that many a millionaire
would give half his wealth to possess,
Although Jordan can toss q 56-pound
weight around with remarkable ease. he
Is not an advocate OF such heavy work
for the average man or athlete. He in
sists that heavy dumb-5ells or Indian
clubs are of little practical value to any
one.
''One who uses heavy dumb-beu en-
courages one-sided development" said
Jordan. 'Of course if two bells are used
this undesirable development is in a
measure discouraged. The use of heavy
bells will of course harden the muscles.
but they do not give that elasticity and
pliability which are desirable, and which
follow the systematic use of lighter
weights
How do you train for the annual
championship" asked the writer.
I'm probably much more simple
manner than most people imagine" said
the champion. Say a month or six
is called regular training do all my
work, or nearly all, with pair OF five
pound dumb-bells. / generally use the
bells for an hour each day. I find
that the more simple movements have
the best results. For instance, holding
out the bells at arm-length and moving
the hands backward and forward is GOOD
exercise for the wrists and forearm.
Then put the bells at the chest and
with swinging movement bring them
up until they touch over the head. This
the wrist, arms and should
ers. Then strike boxing attitude and
go through the movements one sees in
our amateur boxing tournaments. This
movement is good for the wind and 1t
will send the blood coursing through
ones veins with a healthy rush. Then
bring the bells back from the shoulders
and make them touch in the rear, if you
can. This will expand the chest and
bring the lungs into healthy action.
Put the bells on the floor, grab them
and bring them over the head and down