Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1903-01-15
THE Y. nj. G. A.
GYMNASIUM

All the leading magazines and health
journals Of the present day contain
numerous advertisements, of special
courses Of physical culture which set
forth the fact that persons may obtain
by mail printed course of instruc
tions that will enable them to take
proper systematic exercise at home.
Other advertisements announce speci
al apparatus, which are designed to do
good work. The claim is also made
in these magazine announcements that
persons who follow instructions given
will, in a short time not only become
strong, but will also be cured of
certain diseases. These courses of
physical training cost from $500 to
$50. 90, are based on scientific princi-
pies, and will no doubt accomplish all
that is claimed for them, provided
those who undertake the course will
honestly and persistently carry out the
instructions given; but here is where
the trouble comes in, for the reason
that comparatively few people will
conscientiously stick to the exercise
and follow it up day i'll and day ont
for any length of time; because to go
into room and exercise alone for even
a few minutes becomes monotonouS to
the average man and woman and is
neglected and soon given up altogeth-
er. OF course, this ought not to be
the case with so good work as the
care of the body, but that it is so, can
not be denied The fault is not with
the system of exercise, (tor most OF the
systems advertised are good, but
with the person who undertakes the
course and fails to keep it up.
The real purpose of physical eXer-
else is to keep we'll rather than to be
strong, but the truth is that persons
who exercise regularly are, as a rule,
both well and strong. To obtain the
best results and make physical culture
a source of pleasure and profit, it has
been demonstrated that class work IS
the very best method for stimulating a
desire to engage i'll regular exercise,
for by this method of gathering to-
gether under the leadership of COM
petent instructor, the interest is kept
up, and contact with others i'll the
same class, doing the same thing,
proves an incentive to the work until
first-clas results are obtained
As soon as person taking a pres
cribed course of exercise begins to feel
the invigoration that follows as a re-
suit Of honest work in the class, there
comes the determination to press for
ward, aud this resolution carried out /;
will surely bring with it better health
in a stronger body. As in other mat
ters, there must be a steadfastness of
purpose from the start, if anything at
all is TO be accomplished.
s.,The old ideas concerning physical
exercise that were iii vogue years ago,
are entirely ont of date, and now
everything is worked on a purely
scientific basis There is no attempt
made-especially in Y. NJ. G. a.
gymnasiums-to turn out Especial
lists, - strong men, or "clever per
formers - bnt to develop the bodies
Of men SO as to make them strong and
clean, and symmetrical, and able to re-
sist disease. Any exercise that is at
the expense of the nervous system is
too violent, as ali exercise is to suit
the person, and heavy work and strain
ing are eliminated and systematic,
light exercise is given.
The Danville Y. NJ. G. a. is equip
ped with fine gymnasium, with all
necessary appliances for physical cul-
ture and body building work, includ-
ing first class, clean bathing facilities,
modern apparatus, and best of, a ply
sical Instructor who understands his
work, and prcscribes the kind of eX-
ercise needed. By system of meas
urements taken at the beginning of a
course of exercise, persons can tell at
the end of few months just what pro-
gress they have been making.
The Y NJ C. \. furnishes a place
for the development of physical man
hood, that is free from all objection.
able features. and with man en-
ployed whose time is devoted
exclusively to this special work, there
is presented an exceptional Opportun-
ity to all who desire to improve their
physical condition For member
ship in the Association, including in
struction in the gymnasium classes
and privileges of baths, the price is
only $50 per year, surely a trifing
amount for so many privileges.
No one need fear 10 join the classes
and begin exercising at once, on the
ground that the work is difficult, for
the fact is the course as prescribed is
simple and easy at the start and
there will be no difficult exercises Civ
on until the person is fully able to ex-
ccute them.
All the classes are coming on nice
Iy, and those taking regular exercise
are pleased with the results. The bust
ness mems class is especially popular.
Persons desiring to connect them
selves with the physical department
should apply at the Y. NJ. G. A. build
ing where all information will be
cheerfully given.
DEAFNESS CANSOT BE CURED
by local applications, as they cannot reach
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