The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-10

Bag punching Is the most beneficial
exercise known to athletes, and within
a few years it will become the popular
exercise for both man and woman. In
fact, bag punching is becoming more
general every day and those who have
tried this form of exercise can not speak
too highly in favor of It, 1t is not
strange that they should think so well
OF it. for of all forms of exercise it
alone develops every muscle of the
body. 1t is particularly good If one
desires to develop the muscles of the
forearm, shoulders, chest and abdomen,
but there is not a muscle of the body
that does not derive benefit from it.
1t also tends to increase the power of
the lungs, lends a remarkable quick
pess to the eye and adds greatly to the
grace of motion
It may not be generally known that
bag punching has of late become quite
a fad among the ladies of society, but
such is certainly a fact. Several years
ago the women from the highest walks
of society commenced to go in for ath-
letics. They discovered that there was
nothing that could aid them in keeping
their health like plenty of exercise in
the gymnasium, so they began to go in
for everything in the athletic line.
Naturally they experimental with the
bag, and 1t was not long before they
became particularly interested in that
method of exercise. Suddenly some one
that could 50 greatly add to the grace
of motion and then the popularity of
the punching bag was no longer a mat
ter of doubt. AS the result there are
scores of prominent women who spend
a certain amount of time every day
punching the bag. and such a fact ar
CUES well for the future of this exer-
else.
1 do not think that a man ought to
say too much about himself and yet
think that I am a fair specimen of
what bag punching will do in the mat
ter of development. My muscles are
like whipcord and they are the best pos
sible quality of muscle, thoroughly elias
tic and yet extremely hard. Although
at the present time I exercise in some
other ways, bag punching was practi-
cal1y the only form of exercise I took
prior to 1892, and my muscular develop
ment dates from that time.
In 1892 I began to exercise with the
bag, but at that time I did it only for
pleasure Gradually. however, 1 be-
came interested in my work and I soon
developed such hitting force that I was
able to win the Metropolitan boxing
championship in the 125-pound class
with comparative ease. 1t is to the
punching bag that 1 owe this achieve
ment.
I suppose that it might have been
possible for me to go on winning more
honors as boxer, but 1 never cared
for lighting and had no desire to shine
as a light of the pugiistic world. AS
the result decided to devote my at
tention to the bag. Each day I spent
a certain number of hours in this ex-
ercise and it was not long before I was
able to advance a just claim to cham
pionship honors, for had defeated
such men as Jack Giles of Brooklyn,
Jack McGreavy of Philadelphia, and
Young DOckman of New York in rapid
succession and without a great deal of
trouble. Since 1895 1 have held the
championship almost without Opposi-
ton, and 1 am still ready to defend my
colors. Although 1 tip the scales at