Strength and happiness / by Richard A. Proctor.

  • Proctor, Richard A. (Richard Anthony), 1837-1888.
Date:
1885
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Strength and happiness / by Richard A. Proctor. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    54/308 (page 36)
    I may add to tlio exercises I before mentioned rowing, jumping, vaulting, and leaping. I am told tliat mowing acts very effectively to strengtlien and harden the abdominal muscles, and I can well believe it; but, as I have never mowed a square yard in my life, I cannot answer from experience. I should take some exception to mowing on the ground of its onc- sidedness. For symmetrical development of the body, and for the increase of grace and lissomeness of movement, which I take to be much more important points than mere local development of strength, all exorcises should admit of beingf interchanofed from right to left. Thus the movements of fencing, though not conveniently altered in actual foil play (for every fencer will in actual contests put his best hand fore- most), should be systematically repeated with the foil or a substitute for it in the left hand, and the right leg supporting the body’s weight. So with sparring exercises, and others in wdiich usually the sides of the body are differently employed. But in mowing one cannot well reverse the action -without having a scythe specially prepared for left-handed work. However, very few persons care to practise mowing, so this particular objection need not trouble us much. There is one very trying exercise for the abdominal muscles which I would not recommend any except those already very strong-stomached to attempt. Sit on one of the parallel bars and carefully place both feet under the other; now steadily lower the body