The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-08-05

| STRENGTHENING and developing them,
this may be accomplished by simple
adjustment of the apparatus. So, to,
| IL is possible to oppose one set of mus
cles TO another, thereby intensifying
the action of both.
While the inomotor is the most val
liable of the new acquisitions for the
gymnasium there are others scarcely
less interesting. One of these is the
treadles, which have a movement
somewhat similar to that of the old
fashioned weaving loom. Another is the
bride, a novel device which strengthens
the muscles of a mans neck by means
of pulley weight attached by
harness to his head. A similar appa-
ratus called the stirrup develops the
muscles of the legs, a new form Of
lifting machine brings all the weight
on the shoulders, and there are novel
ties in the line of chest developers and
eXpanders, some of which resembles
trapezes suspended by elastic cord. In
genious finger and wrist strengthen
ing machines are now to be found in
the best equipped gymnasiums. A head
lifting machine has been introduced
whereby weights up to ten pounds are
raised on the head. and nearly all the
muscles that move the head, neck and
trunk are brought into action. A leg
rotating machine, a wrestling machine,
wherein the athlete must turn pivot
ed rod, padding and sculling machines,
are recent innovations, and there has
even come into use an abdominal ex-
erciser, wherein the person in training
becomes a human see-saw with stool
for a supporting pedestal. By the full
complement of machines now in use
nearly 100 muscles may be trained.
An important step in advance has
recently been made as a result of the
effort of trainers to infuse into gym
nasium exercises something of the eX-
element afforded by races and COM
petitive sports and games 1t has been
recognized that this is a beneficial fea-
ture and the newer apparatus has been
so constructed that the exercise taken
with it sets it in motion. thus afford
ing opportunity for competition in diff
ferent kinds of races such as rowing,
padding and sculling on the floor OF
the gymnasium.
The tactics pursued by the most sue
cessful athletic trainers show almost
as many departures from former Gus
toms as are found in the apparatus fer
muscle building. No exercise is per-
mitted before breakfast or within half
an hour before eating. A fifteen min
ute walk before breakfast is prescrib-
ed, and severe physical effort after
o'clock in the evening is tabooed. The
new theory is that it is better to eat
too much than too little, and trainers
now permit the men in their charge to
follow a o'clock dinner by light re-
past at IL o'clock at night, If desired.
The present day athlete is told to
drink after eating and not Immediately
before or during the meal. If very
thirsty he is permitted to take a few
swallows of water and must wait for
fifteen or twenty minutes before TAX
ing all he needs. The athlete has four
or five meals a day, under certain con-
ditions, but they are at regular inter
walls, and seven or eight hours sleep
is demanded. He is advised to battle
in cool water before breakfast and In
warm water before retiring. Dieting is
practiced to a greater or less extent by
almost all the first class trainers. who
make a special study of each man in
their charge.