The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-28
TO STRENGTHEN THE BODY.
Proposed Work Of the Y. h. c. 4.
Gymnasium During The Year.
THE CLASS TO BEGIN N SEPTEMBER,
Oumb-Bcil Drills and PuiIoy-Weight Ixer-
else Special Fcafures-1he Many
Attractions Tor Young Men.

Attractions Tor Young MEN,
On September 1st Professor Horace +.
Smith viii take charge of the gymnasium Of
rho Young Mems Christian Association, and
from that date the physical education OF the
members of the ASSOCIATION VIII receive new
impetus. Up TO the present time the value OF
physical education has been appreciated too
little everywhere, and especially IN this city
while in the interest u humanity every oppof-
tunity should be used 20 promote %.
The value of tho gymnasium as means 70
this great end cannot be made too prominent.
The theory of the advantage derNabie from
gymnastics Is simple enough. An 0dinlfahle
law OF nature provides that within certain
limits part II tue human frame increase I'D
strength. aptitude ana size IA proportion 10
the use of them. la gymnastics TINS ia" IS
brought 10 bear sue essiNeiy on every fait.
and finally on tie whole system IA combined
action If tue exertiOn be not carried So far
as % induce excessive fatigue, all other parts
of tho body svmpathizo with the improving
condition of that which Is manly exercised.
The circulation excited from time to time by
the exercise requires special vgor, ana DlO1d
being driven with UDw0nted force INTO ala
parts Of the system. every function is carried
on with increased activity An Improvement
IN the general health becomes soon lahIest,
and the mind, ~ simultaneously cuitlYaied
with judgment. increases I'D power ana enouI-
ance Gymuastic exercises require. however
b. be practiced with moderation and due TO-
gard for the strength OF the individual.
ITS ATTRACTIONS.
There are in every community young men
who are not attracted by socla features OF
the association there are also young men WHO
do not care for the educational. because per
haps of the character OF their Work, ana
great many who are not particularly inter-
ested in the spiritual features. To All these
classes OF Young men the gymnasium is an at
traction. because most young men appreciate
the actual bodily well being AMI increased
capacity for their work which VIII surely loi-
low the intelligent use OF the gymnasium.
The gymnasium OF the association Of the
city of Richmond Is the finest aud best
equipped establishment Of It's kind IL the
State Of Virginia. Between now and next
fall it viii be thoroughly overnauled, so that
az the beginning of the several classes II wall
be IN frst-class condition 10 every respect. ID
Is the intention Of Professor smith 90 organ
ize a number of classes for professional men,
like lawyers, physicians. teachers. etc. ioi
business men. young men and boys. Ihese
classes will be held at different times oi tie
day or evening to suit the convenience of
their members. Considerable attention VIII
be given 10 the dumb-bel drill. which is
especially adapted TO develop the various
part, OF The human body. How great an lnl-
portance ID attributed TO the dutib-0eil driil
bv experts in physical culture can be seen
from the following statement made by SIR.
Alonzo Pratt before the Boston ASSOCIATION
and Homo opithic Medical Society
pUMB-HELL DILL.
The dumb-boll drill as performed in the
association gymnasium IS the most perfect AZ
OF caIIstuenics that has yet been
devised. IL makes an equal distribution OF
action of all parts of the body. NO undue
e1eTton IS put upon any special part and
unnecessary iatgue IL avoided. Rest is
judiclously accomplished 10y change OF action,
but there Is no movement inserted merely for
its negative value or Ionet. nut each has it,
positive use. Especial attention Us called ID
the sequence OF the exercises. They are at
first gentle. gradually uecomlug more
vigorous. and grow quiet toward the
end. No sudden or violent demand is made
on the heart or lungs First there is brisk oe-
ton Of the eXtremltes, which increases evac-
nation. The oxygen hunger thus created IS
satisfied by the breathing exercises which
como next ia order. The drill is we'll con-
trlved to correct those Deficiencies and mall
formations which are welinigh general among
the members when they FIRST come t. the GYM
nasum. Dropping heads cramped chests,
round shoulders and weak backs are the COM
mon defects to be dealt with.
These ualtOrmatons are usually the PEE
suits Of unsymmctucal muscular develop
meut In the natural curve OF the fingers.
when the muscles are passive. We have eNi-
dence that the heXOrs controlling them 0re
stronger than the eAteuors. When we find
shoulders that have gone forward we PEE
scribe exercise TO strengthen the muscles,
which Will pull them back where they belong.
Stretching exercise comes early in the drill.
The tendency of the muscle developed by
s.Hrr.N
at the same time 10 Increases i'm Thickness and
iirnness. Stretch work elongafos muscles
and renders the thorax moro flexible % the
influence which - brought to bear upon It,
THO PULLEY WEIGHTS
Next in importance 10 the dumb-bolls are
the pullev-weights. which directly work the
chest. The young and Old, the strong and the
weak can use them with pleasure, safety aud
profit.
Under the supervision Of Professor Smith
the gymnasium will not be used as "a piay-roOm.
as has been often the case Ia the past Ii
will be in charge of an efficient Christian
man who no doubt, viii win the fullest re-
spect OF the members and the unlimited con-
Gdence of physicians. Ii viii DO las special
aim 20 build up the bodies Of the gymnasium
members and not to turn ont Professional
acrobats and FIJI the minds OF tie classes with
circus ideas.
70 give the public at largo an idea Of tho
steady progress made by the dlIcIeut classes
in charge OF Professor Smith 1t is tho inten-
ton to give number OF gymnasium exhibit
tons during the coming winter and thi. fact
alone Is very apt 20 stir up great deal of in-
terest IN this community for gymnastlc exer-
cises.
Experience has shown in other cities where
an instructor has been IN charge who
thoroughly understood his business and could
give his whole time 10 the work that ia al
most every instance the existing accomnoda-
tons proved too small for the number of those
who were anxious 10 become gymnasium
members and IL IS expected that "A similar re-
suit will be seen in the a9sOciat ON OF this city
soon after Professor Smith has taken charge
VI the gymnasium.