New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-08-11
PUTTING COMPETITIVE SPIRIT
INTO SETTING UP EXERCISE IS

/ OF two articles by Harriet Hector,
featured Broadway dancer. who de-
scribes for The Herald readers the
exercises she has developed, based
on outdoor sports.
BY HARRIET HOCrOR
New York, AUG. ll.-Many of us
can remember the thrill Of playing
basketball, and the fine exercise 1t
is.
But who has a chance to play
this game. after leaving high
school or college. except those
valiant souls who go to gymnasl-
ums and keep in practice?
Not long ago. ! watched a game
played by splendid looking. ath-
letic young flappers, and l decided
that some OF it might be very we'll
adapted for my own particular
Grammatical indoor sports.
So l worked out this exercise.
which Is splendid for strengthen
ing the leg and arm muscles, as
well as for keeping the Waistllne
trim. And while you are doing 1t,
you can go back TO your mildly
blouse days and be the pride of
the home team.
An Upward Throw
Stand erect, thrusting the left
leg forward, then place your en-
tire weight on the right leg, and
swing lightly backward, both arms
raised above your head. as if hold
ing basketball ready for an up
ward throw.
With a rhythmic swing, bend the
body forward, putting the entire
weight on the left leg, which has
been kept in the original position,
lifting the right leg from the
ground. anad swinging both arms
forward over the head.
| This should be done Il times -
| the first six as specified and the
last six by reversing the order of
| the swing, that is by beginning
with the weight imposed on the
left leg instead Of the right. I've
learned too. that you don't need
track for sprinting purposes.
Just any room with little cleared
space is all you need.
Imagine yourself side by side
with Nurmi, neatly attired in a
snappy suit of white trunks with
a monogram over the heart. Then
fold your arms across your chest,
head and body erect. Now thrust
the left leg forward, slightly bent,
with the weight resting upon it
and the right leg taut.
With a quick spring, bring the
left leg backward and the right
forward-now the right leg will
be slightly bent and your weight
resting upon it, Continue this
forward and backward movement, |
remaining in the same spot with |
your arms still folded and your
upper body taut, 20 times. 1t
is stationary running, and is very
helpful in reducing the hips and |
waistline and Strengthening the |
legs
All the benefits of jumping and |
sprinting are to be had in this
exercise, without leaving the front |
door:
Fold your arms high across
your chest. and then. with the
weight placed solidly on the left
leg, raise the right knee until it
touches the folded arms and
don't cheat and lower the arms.
Then come back quickly to posi-
ton and raise the left knee as you
did the right. DO this reverse
jumping movement for 20 counts,
and as you become more profici-
ent, raise your arms higher so
that your kick will be higher.
This discourages flesh around the
waist and hips and makes the
stomach muscles firm.
Synthetic Shot-Itlt
! never put a shot in my life,
and | don't expect to, but l i'm
provised this exercise, which al
ways makes me think I am taking
part in the Olympic games:
Place yor weight OH the right
leg, raise the left. with the knee
bent. then swing back as far as
possible with the body, left hand
raised in a relaxed positiI1. and
the right one held taut, close to
the body as if supporting the
weight OF a very heavy ball.
Then. with a quick, long for
ward movement, swing the body
In semi-circle, SO that the right
leg is thrust far backward. slight .
" off the ground. Your right arm
will be thrust horizontally for .
ward, the left one straight back
ward. Repeat this movement
twelve times It exercises the ,
shoulders. Waistline and hips. .