The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-01
WORK FOR SOUND BODIES
THE ". VI. c. A. GYMNASIUM TERN
WILL OPEN TOMORROW.
What the Association Claims for Its
.Gym"-Boys' Nervous Systems De-
yeloped-Athlctic Contests.

The gymnasium term of the Young Mems
Christian Association will open tomorrow
and continue until June l.. 1t is hoped that
by next year summer space will have been
provided for an exercise ground in River
side Park, and the Y. NJ. c. A work may
be continued there in the hot months. Fred
West, the new physical director. has been
busy examining applicants for membership
in the association. The fame of the Y. NJ.
c. A. basket ball team, which holds the
championship of the West, has gone far
from home, and a challenge has ben re-
ceived from Fond du Lac, Wis. A series of
fifteen all-around athletic contests will be
given this winter at the gymnasium, three
every month, and gold medals will be
awarded to the winners.
The gymnasium is equipped with all the
apparatus necessary for a modern gymnasi-
um. There are rowing machines for the
arms and back, a machine to strengthen the
muscles of the breast, and a ships whee, for
the sides, besides machines for the wrist
and fingers. There are also all sorts of bars
and ladders and dumb-bells and Indian
clubs. The swimming pool attracts many
boys. 1t is five feet deep at one end and
eight feet at the other, and the water is
kept warm. Every day during the first part
of a term some small boy has launched out
and swan across the pool for the first time.
1t is Mr.. Vests theory that if physical ex-
ercise be not made amusing, boys will not
be interested, and the fun feature of the
work is to be played up for the junior
classes.
The result in a boy of gymnasium train
ing, Mr.. West says, is to a him healthier
and to strengthen and steady his nerves.
The boys are classified according to their
physical ability, and are trained carefully
along the lines they need most. The phys
zeal examination determines the condition of
the vital organs and enables the director to
prescribe work TO make the development
systematic, and special attention Is given
to those who exercise under medical adj
vice. Glasses of men will be formed to
meet at hours TO suit their convenience.
Many business men who have found the
benefit in physical exercise go to the gym
nasium at noon or i'm the evening. In a
prospectus just issued the association sets
out the following claims for its gymnasium
work:
The Young Mems Christian Association
believes that for a man TO be the best pos
sible man Ii is necessary that the physical
foundation be developed 10 its fullest extent
in harmony with the highest scientific
Knowledge and practice. 1t is well known
that this can be brought about only by mus
cular movement or exercise. 1t aims to af-
ford every man an opportunity to secure
this in the best manner, Invested of all the
obnoxious environments ordinarily found
Men of various ages and occupations require
different methods of treatment. The boy
with manhood just beginning to appear.
restless urder the restraint of formal or ar
titcial methods of exercise, needs the play
instinct directed into useful channels In
the junior class sufficient of the formal ex-
ercises are given TO insure training of the
attention and the inhibitory power of the
nervous system, while much is made of
games and sports for the development of
agility, physical judgment and control cour.
age and vitality. The young man with the
effects of occupation beginning to show and
habits forming. able better 10 concentrate
attention, requires more specific effects TO
be secured; hence. less of games and more
of formal exercises are required and are
possible The business man, past the age of
forming h hits and developing organs. but
with desenerating conditions. generally re-
qIfres but simple and vigorous movements
OF a peculiarly hygienic nature. These prin-
vidual work of the association"