The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-01-15

Instructor Roberts Is a Bostonian by birth.
He was born June 20. 1S40. He received his
education In the public schools Of Boston.
His fret work In a gymnasium was under the
direction Of John Doldt. a powerful gymnast.
Roberts was next associated with BarneA the
man who became 80 we'll known through HE
dry spirometer. Afterward he was with DR..
Winship. Roberts had O wonderful mus.
cular development. At 81 he could push up q
120-pound dumb bell three times with either
hand. and could hold tho Greek cross on the
flying rings. He then Joined the gymnasium
Of the Boston Y. NJ. G. A. 1t was during his
first year as Instructor that Roberts attracted
much attention from the artists OF Boston.
being frequently solicited to sit as q model.
His measurements we're: Height, 8 feet 8
inches: chest. 40 inches: waist, 80 inches;
biceps. 10 inches: thigh. % inches; cali. IAN
inches; weight. 145 pounds. He could lift
1900 pounds.
In his second year as director. Roberts had
300 pupils. Then came q change In his ideas.
He saw that heavy gymnastics could not pos
sibly benefit tho masses. He learned that ifa
big. muscular system was not associated with
a stout heart. q large lung capacity. and q
strong stomach. it meant weakness instead Of
strength. He resolved to begin all over, to
give put simple. safe. beneficial: and pleasant
spite pH,' Of Strong ne p pprssiStSa i From M his hsS ow 1a gym M
nasium he turned out the trapeze. heavy
dumb bells. and Indian. clubs. and In the
course Of time competitive work was abol-
ished. Health, was the object sought for. and
the proper performance Of every natural func
tion Of the body was made the standing rule
n ASs%sti. iisss7i: MI: Roberts wen. to IN.
IN iioor. work. The directors wanted him to
e tnsasSse II M 1nfSy rs yTiaR .s sns but he r ,ajs wss Ia II,
position 10, August, . After leaving
Springfield he took charge OF the new assoc
1880. Mr.. Roberts was recalled to the Boston
gymnasium. 1t was thought that after an
absence OF nearly three years he could not
nut In vogue his line Of work. but he has sue
EDUCATION Is Eot taught at t Yai tss Cornell. GchhikesatsSso..
University Of Pennsylvania. Lehigh and Van.
derbilt Universities. and at Amherst. Trinity.
and Colby Colleges.
the SUSPENDED horizontal bar. double-Guyed
rings. and i'm improvements for the gymnasium.
He, specially invented u running track. pulley
weight. and the present medicine ball. b
stractor IL ra o oIsai 'SfR Ills j IDEA HNtf from road:
ing OF a certain King who applied to his court
physician for relief IRON wearincss. The phy.
sician ,niaic a large. soft ball OF grass. and
told MS aighness t. use It ct q Gertain tine
lowed directions. and renewed his Interest In
lie: The ball Of grass was improved upon,
and the result, was the medicine ball.
Instructor Roberts Is magni1cently devel.
f ansd' dn Hs s1bm o|ls t paIficu 1Is9s sf Sns e. VIA IA
strength. seems not to have decreased. His
manner Is ever alert and active; He has three
sons: William The eldest. ts taxing The
ms@! NJ. f RoSest 81 s ts n Ills R time st i Lake 1 u.
bago;. with his friends and pupils from the
association and college gymnasiums.