Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-03-14
BY EDNA EGAN.

"l UST as every one likes TO have
an object in view when going
~ off on a long hike, and some
thing special to do on a holt
day. so does every one like TO have
material things with which to exercise
ones body. True. there are many ex-
ercises that can be benefcially prac-
ticed without any apparatus whatever,
but somehow or other the touch Of a
swinging bar. a punching bag and so
on. adds zest TO ones efforts. Where
possible, it is advii able TO fix up the
attic or an unused room as a gympa-
SUM. In such a place you can do
splendid work. because the atmosphere
created suggests exercises which lead
TO health and beauty. OF course in this
DAY OF crowded apartments and small
houses, such scheme is out of the
question. In this event. the next best
thing must be done. and this is 10 use
me various apparstuses in ones own
p bedroom.
Any one who is fortunate enough 70
possess rowing machine and who is
sensible enough to use il regularly will
never be embarrassed by having a pro
tuberant abdomen. The rhythmic bend
ing OF the body backward and for
ward will ward of any tendency TO ac-
cumulate fat here. The arms. too. come
in for their share Of good results. Su-
perfiuous fat will be worn away and
muscles will be developed The per-
son who does not possess such a ma
chine can 20 through the same mo-
tons inspired by the machine. IL she
VIII sit on the floor and brace her feet
against a substantial piece o, furni-
ture.
Think OF the fun, as well as the phys
ical benefit, you would get from a hori-
zontal bar hung in your attic. A very
splendid exercise to be practiced on IL
is TO grasp the bar with two hands and
slowly raise the body until the waist
line is parallel with the bar Drop
the body and repeat. l would not ad-
wise the novice 10 attempt to hang from
the bar by her feet until she is very
well able to control the muscles % her
body.
The spring apparatus IS something
you could use in the smallest space in
your home. Placing your FOOT on one
end. as illustrated, pull the other end
up as quickly and as far as possible.
This you will find, is excellent for de-
veloping a shapely arm. The tenseness
with which the foot has to hold the
end OF the floor calls for muscular
control, which is another good quality
for one to possess. If one end OF the
spring weight is attached to the wall
the apparatus can be used to develop
the chest.
Another way TO get chest expansion
is to take turn at the punching bag
This can be suspended from the cell
ing, or it can be put on a standard, as
shown. This object, like all the 9TH
ers before mentioned, will prove Of nc
? help unless you use it sensibly and
sincerely. The punching bag will also
strengthen the arms and timber Shout
- der muscles.
No woman is graceful II her body is
., stiff, There are many ways to over
3 come stiffness, swimming, dancing
. fencing and the exercises above de-
= scribed being among them. The swing
ing rings, too, are wonderful things tC
4 produce agility. They force control Of
/ the muscles, for once the legs are
i thrust through them. effort must b,
a made to support the body. Using then
as an old-fashioned swing will brin,
into play the muscles of the back, alb
= domen, arms and legs. for, in order 4
), get start. and to keep in motion
: these muscles must work hard. As on
r becomes proficient, one can learn I,
n stand in the rings. TO suspend by on
c leg from one ring and TO so througl
d all sorts Of contortions through tbs tw
D, of them.
o While Il may seem an extravaganc
to buy one or more of these apparat
=
Il II used regularly, they will promot
p and keep up good health. and will al
d ford much amusement Let the Who'll
a family divide the expense and the out
d lay of the individual will not be s
l. great. A certain man OF my acquaint
k ance fitted up a barn as a gymnasium
E., for his boys and girls. He claimed
s. was the best step he ever took, for
IT kept his children in good physical cor
dition. and was an attraction whic