New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-07

Physical culture is much the accepted thing
for women to-day IN this country that one is in
clined discount any note OF criticism that may be
sounded to the safety worth Of such exercise.
A writer in The Queen that pillar Of respect
able British feninlnity. suggests that tbs wisest
counsel 10 give those who anxious 10 attempt
a OF home gymnastics is identical with
Punchs advice 70 those about to marry Don't
Continuing in this cynical. not TO say pessilnstic
vein. the author continues: While It is by
means impossible for a person who has attained
a certain amount of muscular development and
some conversance with active exercises carry
out a course OF written Instructions the odds
very much against who is weakly and of
sedentary disposition making a success OF It.
great deal has been written IN newspapers and
ma gaines about the beneficial effects OF a regimen
OF exercises calculated TO bring into play this and
that muscle: indeed. II would hardly be an ex-
Rggeration 10 say that some Of the newspaper pro-
fessOrs have laid the greatest stress the Gull
tivation OF the muscles that least important.
The system is usually complicated with eccen-
trio dietary, air and sun baths intervals of per
feet quiescence and breathing exercises. To
the rules in theory is a heavy task. and 10
apportIon the time necessary for carrying them
TT may further be noted that the professors
differ violently among themselves. one insisting
the necessity Of inha!ing by the expansion of the
chest and the lifting Of the ribs. When a plan
Of action has been adopted great deal Of deter
mnaton and perseverance is necessary in order to
carry u out daily for months or years without In
PERMISSION. And. as a rule, the persons who stand
Ia most heed OF gymnastlc training are those who
have the least teste for it. that nothing but the
supervision and announcement OF teacher can
avail TO keep them their work.
a sudden and spasmodic devotion TO dumbbells.
even some OF the most energetic forms Of x
ercise the muscles of the trunk is not without
danger 10 women who have never learned TO run
INDUCED IN outdoor games, whereas who
has been more or less athletic may. in default Of
@ bane u rd neF r 9f ehsm6er
exercise The movie novice will therefore do well to
take lessons from competent teacher. and, If
possible 10 join class. in order TO have the In
element Of companiOnship and the eXampl. OF
expert fellow pupils. In the choice OF teacher
common sense must be relied upon As a general
rule 1t IS wise to avoid those who promise
vellous cures and quick results. together with
those who give lessons by correspondcnce II is
an important function Of a skilled professor not
only prescribe the right exercises for each case
but 10 see that they are practised in the best
believe that very little profit is gained from
cses which are not carried with spirit and de-
termination instead Of as matter of mere
II is easy to be overenthusastic on the subject OF
physical culture, but the author OF these opinions
would seem 10 ne unnecessarily doubtful both or
the ability Of the average person pursue a
of home physical culture and Of the desirabIlity Of
the result the work done conseien tiously
Perhaps in England physical culture is not the
practical thing II is in this country, but here nearly
every can recall instances of people who have
been benefited by following some system or phys
zeal culture Probably no one would be silly
enough 10 suppose that he could cure curvature Of
noyances such as double chins fiat chests thin
arms and protruding abdomens can be and
edled by such gymnastics as women practise In
their bedrooms Far more people injure themselves
through inertia than through physical culture.
The tendency TO freehand exercises, that can be
performed without apparatus, is marked and many
physicians prescribe them for their hygiene pa
TENTS forbiddng them TO use clubs and bells and
fhs pRRPyca cuture down as foolish or
Gus thing IL would be more reasonable to urge its
intelligent adoption by women generally.