Gymnastics and Rope Climbing
Gymnastics and Rope Climbing
10
GV 461
.S77
Copy
ATHLETIC LrlBRARY
a ATHLrETl
HOW TO
BECOME ii
GYMNAST
:--/
^
^^'.^'
?|
AND
ROPE CUMBER
N.Y.A.C.
2i
Warren
Street,
New YorK
Co.
cents
SPALDING
COMPLETE LINE OF
GOODS
ATHLETIC
IN THE FOLLOWING
CITIES:
SAN FRANCISCO
NEW YORK
124.13S Naauo
I
Fifth
OAKLAND, CAL.
St.
ATcnne
418 Fourteenth
St.
St.
PORTLAND. ORE.
345 WashlnKton
Street
LONDON. ENGLAND
MANCHESTER. ENG.
(317-318.
BighHolborn.W.C.
^,^78,
Cheapslde, E. C.
4,
St.
and
St.
i29,Hayinarl<et,S.W.
LrVERFOOL
Oxford
1, Lower Moslejr
BRISTOL. ENG.
EDINBURGH. SCOT.
3So.CharIoltcSt.(Ur.rriiKusi.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
TORONTO, CANADA
207 Yonge
Street
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
204 CUrence Street
PARIS, FRANCE
27 Rue Tronchet
<tlrtclcd It A. C.
STALDIIVC
t BKOS.,
uy ol Hit
above
No. 2.
No. 6.
Price
K0.
1.
10c
Price 10c.
10c
GUmE
Price
No. 504L.
No. 505L.
No. 506L.
No. 507L.
No. 508L.
No. 509L.
No. 510L.
No. 511L.
No. 512L.
Price
Price
Price
Price
2Sc
25c
25c
25c
50c
Bound
Flexible bindini:.
No. SOIL.
No. 502L.
No. 5031..
60 cents each; or
50 cents.
Base Ball
I.
"Blue Cover " Series, each number 10c.
Spalding's Official Base Ball
No. 1
Guide
No. 202 How to Play Base Ball
No. 219 Ready Reckoner of Base Ball
[Percentages
No. 223 How to Bat
No. 224 How to Play the Outfield
No. 225 How to Play First Base
No. 226 How to Play Second Base
No. 227 How to Play Third Base
No. 228 How to Play Shortstop
No. 229 How to Catch
No. 230 How to Pitch
"How to Organize a Base Ball
(Club
League
How to Organize a Base Ball
How to Manage a Base Ball
Club
No.
^
How toTrain a Base BallTeam
How to Captain a Base Ball
How to Umpire
No.
No.
No.
No.
[Team
Terms
232
350
355
356
No.
Group
IV.
Gol'
Group
Basket Ball
V.
Guide
Spalding's Official Women's
Basket Ball Guide
No. 7a
No. 193
Group
No. 8R.
No. 20R.
N0.28R.
Winter Sports
Official
No. 335
No. 358
Series, each
number
10c.
Guide
How to Play Rugby
Official College
"Red Cover"
No. 3dR.
No. 47R.
No. 55R.
Soccer Guide
How
How
Spalding's Official
Foot Ball Guide
Soccer
Group
Tennis
III.
"Blue Cover " Series, each number 10c.
No. 157
No. 42R.
Group
VII.
By
P. A. Vaile
Series, each
number 25c.
Field
Foot Ball
II.
"Blue Cover"
No. 2
25c.
No. 59R.
Group
number
Series, each
Rules
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
27
55
87
156
178
182
255
259
College Athletics
Official
Sporting Rules
Athletic Primer
Athletes' Guide
How to Train for Bicycling
All Around Athletics
How to Run 100 Yards
How
to Become a Weight
Thrower
Series, each
number 25c.
Almanac
[1912
No. 17R.
No. 45R.
No. 48R.
book
[Running
Distance and Cross Country
VIII.
School Athletics
'Blue Cover " Series, each number 10c.
No. 246 Athletic Training for School-
'
boys
Public Schools
No.313
League
Official
Athletic
Handbook
Gronp
Water Sports
each number 10c.
IX.
No. 60R.
r/n.
Group V
X.
Athletic
Games
^^^^
^^
for
g.^,^
Equestrian Polo
How to Play Lacrosse
Cricket,
and
How to
25c.
Play It
Miscellaneous Games
Gronp XII.
"Blue Cover " Series, each number 10c.
No. 13 Hand Ball
No. 282 Roller Skating Guide
"Red Cover " Series, each nuvuber 25c.
No. 43R. Archery, R o q u e Croquet,
English Croquet, Lawn Hockey.
Tether Ball, Clock Golf, Golf-Croquet.
,
Hand
Tennis,
Hand
Polo,
Wicket
Hockey. Garden
Manly Sports
XIII.
"Blue Cover" Series, aach number 10c.
No. 191 How to Punch the Bag
Gronp
IIR.
18R.
19R.
21R.
25R.
30R.
44R.
Jiu Jitsu
Boxing
How to
Wrestle
Gronp XIV.
Calisthenics
Dumb
Bell Drills
"Red Cover"
No. lOR.
No. 16R.
No. 22R.
No. 24R.
No. 27R.
Dumb
Gronp XV.
Gymnastics
"Blue Cover" Series, each num^ber lOe.
No. 124 How to Become a Gymnast
No. 254 Barnjum Bar Bell Drill
No. 287 Fancy Dumb Bell and Marching Drills
Series, each number 25e.
Exercises on the Side Horse
Horizontal Bar Exercises
Trapeze, Long Horse and
Rope Exercises
[Rings.
Exercises on the Flying
Grading of Gym. Exercises
Exercises on Parallel Bars
Indoor and Outdoor Gym-
"Red Cover"
No. 12R.
No. 13R.
No. 14R.
No.
No.
No.
No.
15R.
34R.
35R.
40R.
nastic
Games
Lawn Bowls
"Red Cover" Series, each numher,
No. 6R.
"Red Cover"
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
Home Exercising
"Blue Cover '' Series, each number 10c.
No. 161 Ten Minutes' E:^ercise for
No. 185 Hints on Health [Busy Men
No. 238 Muscle Building
[nasties
No. 285 Health by Muscular GymNo. 325 Twenty-Minute Exercises
"Red Cover" Series, each number 25c.
No. 7R. Physical Training Simplified
No. 9R. How to Live 100 Years
No. 23R. Get Well Keep Well
No. 33R. Tensing Exercises
No. 51R. 285 Health Answers
No. 54R. Medicine Ball Exercises.
Indigestion Treated by Gymnastics.
Physical Education and Hygriene
No. 62R The Care of the Body
Gronp XVI.
50c.
ni
GYMNASTICS
AND
ROPE CLIMBING
BY
ROBERT $TOLL,
N. Y. A. C.
885
to
892,
inclusive
c^g^
HOW TO BECOME AN EXPERT
IN
THE GYMNASIUM
Published by the
Warren
Street,
New
York
-S77
Copyright.
191
BY
Nbw York
-8 1916
CI.A4333I8
INTRODUCTION.
National events of the ancient Greeks and Romans games
formed a most important part. The principal
of the four games publicly solemnized in Greece were the Olympic
but games of different kinds were exercised by the early Romans,
which consisted of chariot and horse racing, combats and theatrical
sports. They also exercised themselves before bathing in leaping,
running, throwing the javelin, quoit, etc.
The athletic exercises practiced among these nations consisted of
wrestling, boxing and such other exercises, requiring great strength.
Prizes were given to the victors and many privileges granted to
In
ttie
of every description
them.
The Olympic Games, the chief of the festivals of the Greeks, were
celebrated every fifth year, and consisted of religious ceremonies,
athletic contests and races.
Under the emperors of ancient Rome places were built in which
the Romans were to perform athletic exercises. These places were
known as Gymnasia, but they were imitations of those buildings
erected by the Spartans, the inhabitants of Sparta, the capital of the
mountainous country in Greece, and bounded by the Messenian, Laconian and Argolic Gulfs.
The word gymnastic is derived from a Greek word signifying
naked, it being customary among the Greeks to strip themselves
of the whole or a part of their clothes before engaging in any of the
athletic feats.
INTRODUC3TION.
strength, but also in size. When a person engages in a certain avocation which requires an amount of muscular exertion, he not only
improves in strength, expertness and dexterity, but the muscles are
brought into unusual action, which causes them rapidly to increase
in size and vigor whilst the rest of the body, which has not been so
much exerted, will be found to lack that which the muscles have
gained. Therefore it must be evident that, if the whole body be exerted and brought into action as near as possible, at the same time,
and for the same length of time, the amount of additional strength
gained will be distributed all over the body alike. Still, if the body
be not over-fatigued, all the other parts of the body sympathize with
the improving condition of that part which is chiefly exercised, the
circulation acquires new vigor, and all the functions are carried on
with increased activity, owing to the blood being thrown into all
the parts with unusual force.
Besides, by exercising the body as just described, the mind is
made capable of enduring a more prolonged application to the various and necessary branches of education. If a person, who for the
;
greater part of the day is confined to an office, finds his health dehe is sure to be recommended more bodily exercise to relieve the over-burdened state of the mind. Yet excessive exercise
produces very nearly the same injurious results as inactivity, and
should therefore be carefully avoided. But if gymnastics formed a
part of the education of youth, the health of the young, of whichever sex they might be, would be greatly benefited for every school
or place of learning should have the means at hand by which youth
may, after the mental labors of the day are over, exercise themselves to give that exertion to their bodies which would be acknowledged by all who took advantage of those means, having given them
sufficient proof that health in after life is owing greatly to the active
exertions in which they were engaged in earlier days.
Gymnastics should be taught by the master, and practiced by the
pupil, as combining amusement and education with the best
means of obtaining bodily strength and activity; for gymnastics exercise on the mind as well as on the body, thereby securing beneficial inttuenoes to both.
clining,
THE HORIZONTAL
BAR.
GYMNASTICS.
it shall
^&hS
-es>^
ft.
MS:^
GYMNASTICS.
eome by
placed.
it
place one
hand
procfo'ce. Stand
under
its
Arm and hand practice. Jump up as in the first exercise, but grasp
the bar with the arms crossed about half way between the elbows
and the wrists, and letting the face come between the arms so as to
look between them, at the same time keeping the body perfectly
straight by not allowing it to turn either to the right or to the left,
According to whichever arm is underneath.
This exercise must likewise be practiced with the hands turned
and grasping the bar on the other side, thereby bringing the fingere
towards you (See Fig. 2), and proceeding according to the directions
previously given. It would be better if, on letting go with the hand
underneath, it wore passed over the other each time: this would
render the exercise a little more difficult.
Arm and wrist practice. Jump up and grasp the bar with the
knuckles and thumbs towards you, then, by giving a slight upward
motion, move first the right hand to the right, and then the left to
the left, and by short and regular steps repeat the exercise until the
arms are as open as it is possible for them to be, when reverse the
GYMNASTICS.
10
movement and bring the hands gradually together again. The exmust now be repeated with the hands turned the reverse way,
ercise
and on no account are they to slide along the bar, but be lifted fairly
frdm it each time. A slight pause should be made between each
movement; or,
Hang by the hands with the knuckles towards you as before, and
widen the distance between the hands as in the last, but in this
exercise they must be moved towards their respective ends of the
bars both at once, and the movement continued until the same distance along the bar is reached, when reverse the motion and bring
the hands together. Kepeat the exercise with the fingers towards
yoUj and without letting the hands slide along the bar in the least.
To Walk. Arm practice. 1. Grasp the bar with both hands on
the same side and move them alternately along it, beginning with
short and even steps, and increasing their length until able to take
them with ease, and when capable of so doing let each step be as long
as it is possible to open the arms, but without any kind of a jerk, or
any sign of over-exertion, and this must be persevered in.
2. When well up in the above let the hands be crossed over each
other in advancing, thus if going to the left pass the right arm over
the left, and vice versa.
Let the legs be kept perfectly straight, and the toes well pointed
to the ground. Nothing shows a careless and unskillful gymnast so
much as throwing his legs or body about while achieving any of the
essential preliminary exercises ; therefore strive to carry all exercises into effect with the legs, etc., kept in their proper position
:
stiffness.
Another Exercise. Grasp the bar with one hand on either side
and proceed as in the last, but the hands must now always advance
one before the other in going forward, and in returning walk backwards, when they are passed each in turn behind the other. Let the
legs be kept perfectly steady as in the last.
These two exercises should be well persevered in, for a man is not
worthy the name of a gymnast if he cannot go through any preliminary exercise that may be set him as they are the essential
groundwork for the more difficult ones as he advances.
To Jump. Arm practice. This exercise is very like the last, as the
learner places his hands first, both on the same side second, one on
either side of the bar but he here must move them both at the same
time instead of alternately, and to assist the pupil in making the
YMNASTIOS.
1\
carried
he must effect the spring by the arms alone, when the legs
\nust be kept perfectly still, when after a little time he can try to
jump as far along the bar as possible, then to and fro, ad libitum, the
length of the jump being in proportion to the impetus given to the
body. If the legs be thrown about too
l3i
much the desired effect uponthe musi
cles of the arm will be in part lost.
Breasting the Bar, or to Eisfcises,
able to effect this exercise likewise depends the being able to accomplish
many others herein given ; besides
OTMNASTTOS.
12
tt'SMNASTIdft,
18
exertion on the part of the gymnast, the better. The several parts
exercised will be wonderfully improved by its being practised, as
likewise the grasp.
To Touch the Bar with the Feet. Muscle practice. Hang on
the bar as before described, and, with a gradual motion, bring the
legs up towards it bend the knees, and pass them between the arms
under the bar together with the toes, which must be pressed against
it.
(See Fig. 4).
A slight swing might be used at first, if not able to bring up the
legs without ; but it is improper to do so, as, in all exercises where
;
^^4"
TlQ.S.
^h
GYMNASTICS.
14
can reach standing on his flat feet, as this will enable him to place hia
hands on the ground, and so drop, in the event of his not being able
to raise himself up as above directed.
\ To Tkuss a Fowl. Spine practice. Gr&sp the bar with both hands
|and bring up the legs, passing the knees between the arms, and hicth'ing the toes against the bar, then force the whole body through so as
to bring the face downwards, as in Fig. 5, without relaxing your hold
of the bar or unhitching your toes, as, after having remained in that
position a short time, the body must be brought back through the
arms again. The difficulty of this exercise depends partly upon the
length of the gymnast's arms and legs, as, the longer his arms are, the
more easy will it be for him to carry his body through as above stated
To Bbing the BodyTheough. Spine and muscle practice. ^Proceed
as described in the last exercise, and allow the legs to pass through
together with the bodv which must fall as low as the arms will allow,
when the body, arms, and legs ought to be nearly in a line with each
other. (See Fig. 6.) After remaining in that position for a short time
return through the arms again without allowing the hands to lose
their hold or the feet to touch the ground.
It will be found very difficult for beginners to return, until able to
do so, relaese the hands and fall to the ground ; but after a little practice, especially with a little assistance at first, it will become very
much easier than would at first appear.
If, on bringing the legs through, the feet be crossed, in which case
they will pass between the arms first, it will be found to be much
easier to achieve.
The
EvEBiiASTiNG Twist.
forming
it
GYMNASTICS.
15
and bringing the legs through the arms, hitch them over the bar as
far as the bend of the knee, when, by keeping the toes well pointed
to the ground, and pressing the legs against the bar as firmly as
possible, let go with the hands, letting them hang down loosely, and
gradually lower the body as in Fig. 7.
After remaining in that position as long as convenient, bring tha
arms up, and, by drawing the body up a little, grasp the bar agai'-,
FiQ.
Ft(h
allo^v the body, after having unhitched the legs, to fall and drop
to the ground, taking care to alight on the toes ; or.
Proceed as in the exercise to bring the body through and carry the
rightleg only through and over the bar as far as the bend at the
knee, and throw the left leg over the right foot, also as far as that
joint ; then by letting go your hands, let the body hang down loosely
and
the hands hanging down also, or folded across the chest akimbo.
After having remained in this position a short time, raise the body
GYMNASTICS.
16
up, grasp the bar with the hands, and change the position of the legs,
viz., throw the left leg over the bar, and carry the right leg over the
Bow AND
and to
all
GTMNASTICS.
17
between them, bend them over as near to the shoulders as posthe toes, one at a time, under the bar, as in Fig. 9,
when the exercise is complete after a few attempts it will become
of
sible, hitching:
much easier.
Owing to the
accomplish.
turn round towards the right, and as, during the passing of either
hand, the whole weight of the body is suspended by one arm, it will
cause the muscles of that arm to be brought into full use, and they
will consequently be greatly strengthened.
GYMNASTICS.
18
Eepeat this exercise by passing the left hand to the other side of the
first, thereby reversing the motion of the body.
The Lettee L. Muscle practice.in this exercise instead of the
legs being allowed to hang straight down, they are brought to a right
angle with the body, by bending body at the hips, thereby forming
bar
the letter L. When in this position raise the body, or the legs may
be brought into the required position after the body is raised yet it
would be bettor to practice the exercise both ways as the relative
Firstly, raise the body after having
motions are reversed, thus
brought up the legs secondly raise the body before raising the legs
yet in whichever way it is done the muscles must derive benefit from
;
it.
off.
Now in this position walk backward and forward
but this will be found a little more difficult, as, at every step taken
by the hands, the feet have to be drawn or pushed along the bar, according to the way in which the hands move. Let the steps be taken
very slowly, and do not let the feet be jerked, but allow them to
slide along easily.
Elbow Practice. Breast the bar, and, when sufficiently high, let
go with the right hand and carry the fore-arm over the bar from the
front, hitching it over it at the bend of the elbow, then carry the left
over in like manner and sustain the body in that position, letting the
elbows be as close together, and the hands as far apart as possible,
and when perfect in the above take one arm off the bar, and letting
it drop down by the side support the body by the other, then repeat
this portion of the exercise by changing arms. This will be found to
be excellent practice for the arms, the muscles being likewise thereby greatly developed.
their slipping
GYMNASTICS.
19
The Arm Chaie. Fore-arm jiractice.Breast the bar, and rest the
fore-arms about three inches below the elbow on it, keeping them
bent at the elbow and remaining in that position but a short time,
as, the nearer the bar is to the wrists, the more difficult will it be to
support yourself. The legs should be perfectly straight with the
body, and close together, and the head leaning a little forward, yet,
for the sake of variety, the legs may be raised as in Letter L, page
18, and lowered again while thus supported; this would add greatly
to the diffiiculty of the exercise.
Upper arm and muscle practice. Breast the bar, and, grasping i*
firmly with the left hand, stretch the right arm out over it, letting ii
rest upon the bar about half-way between the elbow and the shoulder; then letting go with the left hand, support the body in that
position for a short time, when regrasp the bar, and repeat the exercise by stretching the left arm over it in like manner.
This Is a very trying feat to the gymnast, although not so to th
spectator but he has only to try it to be convinced of its difficulty,
especially if his muscles be not up to the mark.
As you cannot face the bar in this as in the last exercise, the legs
must be carried a little sideways towards the bar, thereby acting as
a counterpoise. And it must be borne in mind that the arm on the
bar must be kept perfectly straight while supporting the body
though the hand may be either open or clenched, but this as besi
suits the gymnast.
Spine Practice. Place the bar as high as the breast of the gymnast, and let him stand some distance from" it, say about the distance of his height from it, when, holding his arms straight above
his head, with the palms of his hands turned towards the bar, and
keeping the legs straight and the feet close together, let him fall
straight forward without ben ding the body at the hips, and, grasps
ing the bar on reaching it, let the body drop as far towards the
ground as possible, but without moving the toes from their place
although the heels are of necessity raised from the ground.
As the body will now form a perfect semi-circle, the more difficult
part of the exercise is to follow, viz., for the gymnast to raise the
body into an upright position again as easily and regularly as he fell
forward this at first will not be accomplished without much difficulty, but patience is all that is required.
The Swing. Spine, kg and arm practice. Hang by the hands
alTOut the middle of the bar, bring the legs up in front a little and sud;
6TMNAST1CS.
20
lers
on the body dropping again from behind, it will be again carwhen the above movements must be repeated to
GYMNASTICS.
21
alight on his feet from it, the greater will be his after success, and
the more graceful will his performance appear. Let him avoid, above
all things, jerking the legs in swinging.
The Pancake. Wrist practice. Place the bar about two feet above
the head of the gymnast when standing on the ground, and proceed
as described in the last, and when the body has been swung nearly
as high as the bar, let go your hands (the farther the gymnast
Bprings from it tke greater the effect), and after bringing them
smartly together, renew your hold of
?IG. 1
the bar and continue to swing each
time the exercise is to be repeated,
which should be at least three times
before allowing the feet to touch the
ground. It is a difficult exercise to beginners, but very soon overcome.
It must be borne in mind, that on
letting go the bar the gymnast must
not do so as if he were trying to carry
himself back from it as far as possible,
but a slight forward spring must be
given to, if possible, enable him to
bring his hands together close to, if
not just above the bar.
To Swing by the Legs. Spine and
Knee practice.Hang by the legs and
keep the feet well towards the ground,
then move the arms and body to and
fro (Fig. 11) to get into a good swing,
the body being drawn up in the forward, and carried with the arms as far
back as possible in the backward swing, and this should be practiced
until you are able to raise the body either way level with the bar.
This exercise will be found to be of great benefit to the knees and
legs.
The
FAiiii,
GTMNASTICS.
22
erly, yiz. until you learn the precise time when the legs ought to be
disengaged from the bar, that you will fall on all-fours; thi^ Is
owing to the legs being unhitched too soon but this is of no importance, as by practice that slight mishap will soon be overcome.
The Leg Swing. Hip and leg practice. Swing by the legs with
the knees a few inches apart, then in the forward swing bring the
body up, grasp the bar between the legs with both hands, and opening the legs straight, thereby unhitching them, carry them back
clear under the bar, and either alight on the ground, or accomplish
some other exercise.
Do this exercise slowly at first, and, when perfect in bringing the
legs from over the bar as required, it should be done as if the whole
were one simultaneous movement, no pause taking place from the
:
Fia. VL.
time the body is raised until the feet are free therefore the whole
must be effected before the body returns in the backward swing, and,
to look well, it should be done very quickly.
Leg Swing Catch. Proceed as described in the last exercise but
two, and on the body rising sufficiently high, and just as the legs are
being unhitched, turn the body, and, bringing it up while in the
swing, grasp the bar with both hands, without allowing the feet to
touch the ground.
As a finish to this exercise the legs may now be again carried
between the arms and hitched over the bar, when, by letting go the
hands, achieve the last exercise but one
Aem and Wrist Practice. Hang on the bar, and pull the body
slowly up; then raise one of the elbows well up above the bar, say
the right one, so as to throw the whole weight of the body on the
;
GYMNASTICS.
23
right wrist, wliicli can only be done by getting tlie fore-arm as perpendicular as possible; then, as soon as the elbow is raised, let go
with the left hand, which will cause the body to turn a little out of
its position, and suspend the body by right arm. On letting go with
the left hand, let it drop straight down by the side, and bringing it up
again, grasp the bar with it, then lower the elbow of the right arm,
and lower the body by straightening both of them. Pull the body up
again, and repeat the exercise with the left elbow up.
One of the difficulties of this exercise consists in the lowering of
the body and raising it again directly between each change, which
might be made three times, whereby each arm will be brought into
use twice.
As this is somewhat difficult at first, the gymnast would do well
not to tire the body too much by trying to do more than one change
at first; and until that can be effected clearly, without the least hitch
in doing it, he ought not to attempt a second. The same advice
is equally applicable to the making of the third change, yet the
exercise has many good points to recommend it.
To Touch the Bar with the Toes. Leg practice. GYaLS^gt the
bar near to the end with both hands, one on either side, and with the
face towards the length of it.
Draw the body gradually up by bending the arms well until the
head touches, or, if preferred, until it be above the bar, when the
shoulder will touch it, then slowly raise the legs straight up until
able to touch the bar with the toes, without either altering the position of the body by moving the arms, or by bending the legs otherwise than at the hips.
To Rise above the Bar. Circling the Bar. Arm and muscle
practice. Ketng on the bar carrying the legs above the bar instead of
under, then, by pulling the body up with the arms, and with a slight
motion of the wrist, carry the legs completely over the bar, in going
over which they will act as a sort of balance to your body, and with
the assistance of your arms the body will be brought into the required position.
As a means of enabling a young gymnast to circle the bar sooner
than by the method just described, let him fix the bar about as high
as his breast, when, after having placed his hands on the bar, with a
step forward, he might give his legs that impetus upwards which
will carry him over the bar much more quickly but in so doing the
legs must be straightened (see Fig. 13), and carried over the bar by th^
;
GYMNASTICS.
24
in a
Fig. X3,
Fio. 14.
does not go over the bar as he intended. Yet, when once accomplished, no exercise will be found more easy.
The Slow Pull up. Breast the bar, then endeavor to raise the
body above the bar. This must at first be done by bringing one arm
up at a time, first the right arm, then the left, raising the elbows up
as high as possible (see Fig. 14), when, by leaning the head forward
over the bar, and carrying the legs a little out in front, which greatly
assist you, as all your strength will be required, you must raise the
body up by strengthening the arms. This will call all the muscles of
GYMNASTICS.
25
the arms into full use, as well as the wrists, and consequently
requires some little practice to be able to achieve it. The thumb?
must be on the opposite side of the bar to the fingers, and the exercise should be persevered in until you are able to bring up both arms
at once.
The Slow Pull up. Hang by the bar, with the hands so far over
it that the body shall be suspended entirely by the wrists, and proceed as described in the last, but with this difference that in this
the arms are both made use of together and the lower the exercise
is done the better, as the main difficulty is in the raising the body up
without holding the bar at all with the
?\Q. 15.
hands.
Another Exercise. Hang by the
hands and throw the right leg over the
bar on the right hand side of them,
then, by swinging the left leg to and
fro somewhat similarly to the ordinary
swing, give it a kind of jerk on the
backward swing, which, assisted by the
wrists, will enable you, by throwing
the body a little forward, to raise it
above the bar. Kepeat the exercise by
throwing the left leg over the bar.
Another Exercise. Hang by the
hands, and bring the right leg between
the arms, and bend it firmly over the
bar, pointing the toos towards the
ground, then, with the impetus as in
the last, bring the body above the
bar. (Fig. 15.) This exetcise should be repeated with the left leg
over the bar.
Another Exercise. Swing, and in the forward swing up th*^
right leg and carry it over the bar in the manner described in the last
two exercises, but, in doing this, carry it over the bar on the other
side of the left hand, then, at the turn of the swing, give the requisite
downward motion with the left leg, and v. ith the aid of the wrists
rise above the bar. Let this be practiced well, and, when able to dc
it freely, carry the left leg over the bir instead, and repeat the exercise, and do not be satisfied unless able to make use of the one as
well as the other.
;
GYIMNASTIOS.
26
metliods,
Wris^irrac/ice.This exer-
cise differs in
that it
are here to be kept straight.
Hang on the bar, bring the legs up in the front straight, and, leaning
the head back a little (Fig. 16) jerk or carry the legs down suddenly,
making the feet describe a semi-circle, and by the strength of the
wrists, without bending the arms in the least, raise the body above the
bar. The momentum given by the sudden motion of the legs greatly
assists the wrists in the f ullilf!&iment of their duty.
This exercise wil4 require
constant practice to overcome
all difficulties, and, when able
to achieve it let the gymnast
practice it with the hands reversed, thereby bringing the
first,
Spine,
arm and
muscle practice.Gr&sp the bar with the arms across, and proceed to
circle it as before, but in so doing the body is to be carried up perfectly straight, and on no account is it to be allowed to slide offsideways on to the bar. The chief obstacle that presents itself in this
exercise is the pressing of the elbows against the stomach on bringing the body up, by which it will be seen that this method of circling
the bar is very difficult, even to a skillful gymnast, until he has prac-
GYMNASTICS.
ticed
it
little
27
it
i,s
to be accomplislied.
To Sit on the Bar. The Plymouth. Spine practice; Slow MovementBring the legs through, and in carrying them over the bar
them be a little bent, then, bending the body well back, and turning the head back as far as possible, i. e., the face towards the
ground, and the farther you look along the ground the better,
whereby the body is the better kept in that position, and which enables the exercise to be more easily done, raise the body up by
the aid of your arms; then, when the
X'^jq, 17.
bar is a little over the seat (Fig. 17),
by bending the legs more over it,
which acts as a sort of leverage to the
body, you will be enabled to bring it
over and assume a sitting posture. But
your own judgment must be used as
to the best time to do so, for, when the
bar touches the center of the back,
the arms must do the remainder of the
work, but do not pull yourself too far
over the bar, otherwise, in assuming
the sitting posture, a beginner is very
likely to fall forward, which would not
be very pleasant for his arms; but
should such a mishap occur, it will be
well for him to give a slight spring
forward and alight on the ground in front of the bar. This method
of sitting on the bar is sure to give greater satisfaction than by simply circling it, and it requires but a little constant practice to be
able to achieve it adroitly, the one chief point, next to the raising
of the body, being to bend tl.e head well back and bend the legs
well over the bar. Omit these, and the exercise is rendended all
the more difficult to be achieved.
The Slide. Spine practice. Proceed as described in the last exercise, and when your body is fairly over the bar, let it slide forward,
and, on its dropping, give a little sudden spring forward with the
wrists, letting go the bar and alighting on the ground as far from it
as possible, but let the arms be brought up a little to free them from
let
the bar.
The Balance.
GYMNASTICS.
28
when it is fairly dropping, raise the head, and giving the body a
turn to bring the face towards the bar, grasp the bar with your
but,
FiQfa.8
hands. This is a very pretty and neat exercise, if cleanly done, and
only requires a little practice.
Balance Practice. Mount above the bar by either of the methods described in the foregoing exercises, and throw either leg over
it, when, by placing the hands in front of you, with the fingers of
each hand on opposite sides of the bar, thereby causing the elbows
to be brought towards the body, sit astride it as on a saddle. (See
Fig 20.) Now, by keeping the arms perfectly straight and upright,
bend the body up in [front, which will cause the head to be carried
somewhat forward, and enable you to raise yourself completely oIT
the bar but in doing this, the legs should be bent both at the hips
a,nd knees, thereby assuming a sitting posture.
While achieving this exercise, the bar is not to be touched by any
other of the body than the hands, as the body is to be supported In
;
GYMNASTICS.
29
equilibrium upon them. In grasping tlie bar the thumbs should not
be on the same side of the bar as the fingers of each hand.
To Stand on the Bar. Balancing practice. Proceed as in the
iast exercise, and continue to raise the body and legs until the feet
can be placed upon the bar, the right before the left, when let go your
hold of it, slowly rise, but while so doing hold the arms out, one on
either side, to assist you in balancing yourself while endeavoring to
effectuate the exercise, which should be well persevered in until able
to carry it through without the least hesitation or sign of fear. If
preferred, the bar may be put at about three feet from the ground
until perfect in
it.
bar, as
illustration
shown
(Fig
in the
19),
then,
first,
little
time, to raise
it,
foj,
If that is not sufficient, put your hands on the bar behind you
leaning back, let your arms hang over the head until the hands
touch the bar, when steady yourself whilst you place the feet on the
self.
or, in
bar.
After the body is out straight the arms may be allowed to hang
loosely by the side, folded across the chest, or placed in any position
the gymnast may think proper.
The arms may likewise be moved about so as to test the feat, or
GYMNASTICS.
30
the legs may hang loosely on either side of the Dar, eCh ol wbicn wiH
add greatly to the exercise.
The Jockey. Balancing practice. This exercise is not so much to
look at whilst being done by another but it is more difficult to
achieve than will at first appear.
Sit astride the bar, as in the last exercise, bring the elbows against
the sides, lean forward so as to lift yourself from the bar (Fig. aO) when
in that position, move the hands alternately along the bar, very slowly
at first, and practice until able to run along the bar very quickly, and
when perfect in the above, the gymFig. 20.
nast can yary his movements similar
to some of the steps in dancing, especially the advancing and retiring step
in the quadrille, but the body must not
on any account be allowed to touch the
bar during the performing of a certain
motion or figure.
To Hang by the Legs. Rise above
the bar and sit on it, then, placing one
hand on either side of you, gradually
slide back over the bar, and lean the
body forward until the bar reaches the
bend of the knee, when, grasping it
firmly, and bending the legs well under
it, let the body fall gently backwards,
and when steady let go with the hands.
This is a method often required to
hang by the legs, and should therefore
be practiced, as it enables you to shift
from one exercise to another.
The Hindoo Punishment, or Muscle Grind. Muscle and spine practice. Sit on the bar and sink
down, but letting the arms slip (one at a time first) backwards over
the bar, when the hands can either be clasped across the chest, or
grasp a belt, which may be worn round the waist if preferred (See
Fig. 21) then, moving the legs and body to and fro with a stronger
impetus with the legs, carry the body round the bar, .which motion
must be repeated, on the body falling over, every time the gymnast wishes to go round.
This should not be more than three
times at first, owing to the friction and rubbing which the arms will
GYMNASTICS.
31
get until more used to it, and until such is the case they will be
very red and tender after each practiceso much so, that the gym
nast will not like to repeat it for a day or two but that miust not b
noticed too much, as the oftener the muscles are thus exercised the
less will be the notice taken of the results in future.
This exercise is reversed by carrying the legs and body up in front
;
Fig. 21
Fio. 33.
instead, thereby revolving round the other way, but the arras remain
same and in this, as in many other exercises before and here-
the
after mentioned, the legs must be made good use of. The gymnast,
when perfect in either way, but generally the first, would do well to
try how many times he can go round, or at least from twelve to
twenty times. Do not descend from the bar for a short time until
the giddiness be
worn
off,
way two
or
GYMNASTICS.
82
probation, especially
succeed.
if
done
fearlessly,
*Ymnastios.
following exercise requires great strength in the muscles of the arms,
as well as in the spine of the back, and is only to be acquired by
practice, with a determination to succeed.
Grasp the bar, and go through the arms but on carrying the legs
through rais3 them up straight with the body, then, keeping them in
that position, lower them until they are horizontal, as represented
in Fig. 23, and, after having remained thus for a short time, either
drop to the ground, or carry the body back again through the arms,
or else achieve the Slide. The latter should be perferred.
Continual perseverance and practice are required to achieve this
exercise to perfection, i. e. without any apparent strain upon the
muscles.
Sit on the bar by any method preferred, then, grasping it with the
knuckles turned backwards,
and the thumb on the same
side as the lingers, let the
;
Spinal and muscle practice. This exeron the rings, but it can nevertheless be done
by raising the legs well up in front and carrying them above the bar.
until straight upright with the body; then, keeping the arms
straight and the body also in the same position, lower it gradually
until it assumes the position required (Fig. 24). This will be found to
be a little more difficult to carry into effect than the Back Horizontal, but persevere and conquer.
dtMNASTrd^.
FlQ.
S4
legs may, to assist in the balance, be bent a little back. The thumbs
are on the same side as the fin;4-ers. Now, when in this position,
first move the hands alternately along the bar, and when able to do
that easily, with a slight jerk with the legs, aided with a strong
spring with the wrists, move them to and fro both at once, thereby
giving the action the appearance of a grasshopper. Do not remain
too long in this position until the arms and wrists are more accustomed to it, as it will require to be well practiced ere it can be effected with freedom
and
ease.
GYMNASTICS.
THE PARALLEL
The
g^
BARS.
Parallel
io!isexerciseson the horizontal bar, it enables the gymyast to perform a greater number of exercises upon it than upon this apparatus.
Moreover, the manner of changing or passing from one exercise to
another, to enable him to consummate from half a dozen to twenty
or more different movements without stopping, teaving the bar, or
touchingtheground with his feet, causes the single bar again to be
the favorite but, on the other hand, there are a great many exercises, both preliminary and otherwise, capable of being achieved upon the parallel bars, that cannot be thought of for the horizontal.
;
GYMNASl'lOS.
larity and when the opposite end has been reached, the walk must
be repeated backwards to the point of starting, which will be a little
tedious at first, but after a littie practice it will become quite easy.
The arms must be kept perfectly straight, or the exercise, which
must be practiced well with the lingers on the inside of the bars, as
well as outside, will become much more difficult to beginners than it
really is.
Therefore, to succeed, you must make the steps slowly
and regularly, and keep|the
;
^^^ 83*
straight.
TheCbamp. Legandwriat
This exercise is
nothing more than walking
with rthe hands, but, in lieu
of the legs being straight
with the body, they are bent
into a sitting posture, and
kept in that position during
the process of walking.
Mount between the bars,
and:
First. In advancing the
right arm lift up the right
or left leg, as if ascending a
flight of steps, and do the
same with the left arm.
Second. In drawing up
the leg on advancing one
arm, put it down when the
other is advanced.
Third. Bring up both legs
every time one arm is advanced, and send them down
sharply when the other Is
brought forward.
Fourth. Every time either arm is advanced, lift both legs at once,
and jerk them down again smartly before you make another step
with your arm.
The whole of the above should be well practiced, as by them, especially the latter, the strength of the grasp is very much tested.
The arms must on no account be allowed to bend through the
practice.
GTJD^ASTICS.
action of the legs, as that would
37
in those
parts.
To Swing.To get
swing
is
years; for, besides the action given at the shoulders, the legs are also
to be bent both at the hips and knees, at the latter but little, and the
body is to be raised much higher in the backward (Fig. 26) than In
GYIVINASTICS.
38
the forward swing (Fig. 27). The legs must be kept close together,
and in increasing the swing they are to be made to do their utmost,
more especially in the forward swing, where they are brought up
P5tQ.
a?
then carried
down with
circle in so doing,
which gives a
GYMNASTICS.
in swinging, carry it
for a
hand
bal-
ance.
tion.
leg over each in front of your hands. Grasp the bars firmly, and
with a spring bring the legs between the bars, an^ carry them up
behind you, but in so doing cross the legs, as in Fig. 30, and in giving
the body a slight twist allow them to rest on the opposite bars, when
the right leg will be on the left-hand bar, and the left leg on the
right-hand bar. (See Fig. 31.) Do not always turn your body the
40
GTMNASTIOS.
Fig. 30
on the other bar, thereby bringing the body straight as before, but
with the face looking a different way.
The Barbeb's Cuel. Muscle and spine practice. Hta,nd between
the bars, and grasp them with the knuckles uppermost and the
thumb on the same side as the lingers, then sinking down, straighten
the knees into a sitting posture, as in tlie next exercise. Now bring
the legs gradually over between the arms (Fig. 32), till they perform
a circle, or until they come nearly down to the ground (Fig. 33),
and after staying in that position for a short time, carry theu). i:>*^
GYMNASTIdS.
41
again quite as slow as you brought them over. The knees must be
kept perfectly straight, and the feet kept off the ground the whole of
the time. Though this is difficult to beginners and makes the arms
ache, it is nevertheless easily performed after a little practice.
To KisE AND Fall Below the Baes, or the Letter L. Muscle
practice. Hang from the bars as in the last exercise, and in carrying
the legs out in front bend
Fig. 3 2
them only at the hips,
body up by
achieved by practice.
it
at tirst appeared.
42
GYMNASTICS.
over, as
To KiSE AND FALii ABOVE THE BARS. One arm pyacf ice. Mount
between the bars, grasping them firmly with the fingers outwards
and the thumbs inwards, and,
GtYMNASTlCS.
43
method above.
Fov/rth.Achie\e the exercise
Mount
prac-
GYMNASTICS.
be utterly impossible for the pupil ever to accomplish it to perand with that perfect ease and freedom of action which the
nature of the exercise demands, and without which its beauty and
advantageous results will be entirely lost.
Proceed with tne swing as before described, and in the backward
swing (Fig. 20) bend the arms, thereby sinking the body as in Fig. 36,
rising in
before the legs have had time to drop; then, on the body
at the
the forward swing (Fig. 27), carry up the legs well in front,
same time taking a sudden spring with the wrists, advance as far
after a
along the bars as practicable, but in short steps at first, as
increase it as to go the length of the
little time you will be able so to
on the
bars in three, if not in two, springs or jumps. On alighting
as in Fig. 27, and proceeding
bars, the^arms are to be straightened,
with the backward swing, prior
'*^^*-*'
to allowing the body to sink
again, when it may be repeated
as often as convenient, but
without overtiring yourself,
until able to take the leap as
already described.
it will
fection,
The Pumping
Movement
(backward).
Ar^n and wrist
practice. When the ends of the
bars are reached in the last
exercise, the gymnast must
achieve this exercise by reversing the motion, viz., allow the body to sink in the forward swing, and
on the body rising in the backward swing, give a backward spring,
alighting on the bar with straightened arms, then sink down again
and continue the exercise to the end of the bars.
The Bend. /Spine practice. ^tajid outside the bars with your face
towards them, grasp them firmly with your hands, letting the
knuckles be uppermost, and with a spring carry your legs under the
bar you are holding and over the other (see Fig. 37), then, by using
your arms (without moving your hands from the bar), and with a
slight forward motion of the body, carry it over the second bar, and
when the middle of the back reaches it, provided your head be free
of the first, make a slight spring with your arms which will cause
you to slide over the second bar and alight on your feet, but on
alighting let the toes be pointed to the ground.
GTIVINASTICS.
45
fall
GYMNASTICS.
46
full test.
by
It is
accomplished
first
and
GTMNASTICS.
47
ends of the bars with the fingers uppermost, and, stooping down,
until the arms are straight, carry the legs straight out in front,
when raise them and the body up until they assume the required
position (see Fig 24).
Fig. 39.
.
r^m
.
23,
Fi^.40.
The
bars,
find kneel.
GTMNASTICS.
48
Now lean
Pio.41.
Tig. 42.
body, without altering its position, across the width of the bars (Fig
and rest the left shoulder on the other bar.
This exercise should be done as often as convenient, without allowing the legs to be bent. The wrists will here be tried very much, but
will afterwards be found to have gained strength in doing it.
41),
6TMNASTICg.
4&
Arm
vmi
wrist practice. Proceed as in last exercise, and having fairly balanced yourself as there described, bring your body equi-distant between the bars, and gradually raise it by straightening the arms,
when bend the body a little back, to ensure a good balance (See Y\g.
42).
Stay in that position for a short time, then lower yourself again,
linish with some showy exercise.
After having practiced the above for sometime, it would be well
for the gymnast to mount between the bars, swing very high, especially in the backward swing, and on the legs going over the head
to lower the body a little by bending the arms. The greatest balance is necessary in doing this, as one is liable to be two anxious, and
overbalance himself when least expected ; but if, in achieving this
exercise, the body be a little bent, it will make it much easier for the
learner to balance himself in carrying it into effect, when the body
might be raised until the arms are perfectly straight, yet after a
practice it could be accomplished without bending the arms at all,
which would certainly give it a better effect.
The Slow Upwakd Movement, Wrist practice.To facilitate and
expedite the accomplishing of this, to beginners, most difficult
and trying exercise, it being done solely by the strength of the wrists,
it has been divided into three exercises, each of which may be practiced as a complete one in itself.
Mount between the bars, with the face towards their length, letting
the balls of the hands be a little over the ends, but not too far, and
the bars lirmly grasped, the lingers being on the outside, and tending, as the exercise is proceeded with, towards the top, the thumb being inside. Sink down by bending the arms, allowing the elbows to
fall with the body, as in Fig. 43, keeping the head forward and the chin
out when that point is attained, rise (perhaps with some little assistance at lirstj into the upright position again, and practice it until
able to do it easily before attemping to proceed with the next.
Although this greatly resembles the Else and Fall exercise, it is
thought proper to insert it here, not only from the difference in the
position of the hands and body, but from its connection with the two
following exercises, of which it forms a part.
Proceed with the last exercise, and this time drop the elbows as
low as possible below the bars, still keeping the body is the same
position; the wrists will now be so bent over the ends of the bar that
and
GITMNAS'flCS.
50
the body will seem to hang from them. On carrying the elbows
down the Angers should be brought somewhat over the bars, to have
a greater purchase to rise again, which must be done very slowly'
the slower the better, and well persevered in before attempting to
continue the movement, as in the next exercise.
Having completely mastered the two previous exercises as there
Fig.
1"'ig.4
4 3.
4,
given, let the gymnast, now that his elbows are below the bars, let
drop, by straigiitening the arms, as low as possible (Fig. 44) should
there not be room enough for his legs, thev may be either extended
out in front, or else bent underneath at the knees in either case, they
must on no account touch the ground. Every movement in these
three exercises, which though when combine form but one, should be
as slowly as possible; the gymnast will therefore be now required
;
done
to bring the
whul
oJ!
GYMNASTICS.
Si
^itMKASDica.
6^
THE
RINGS.
ttemarka. The advantage which this apparatus has over the two
previous ones is that, from its being suspended from the ceiling", it
can be used almost everywhere, even in a passage about three feet
wide, room to swing to and fro being the chief requisite. There is
scarcely a part of the body, from the hands to the feet, that is not
ijrought into use by practicing upon the Eings, and the exhilirating
effects of being carried bacliward and forward la the swing being so
well known to every one, what must therefore be the additional bentits to be derived from suspending the body by the hands while being thus swayed to and fro
Though the exercises are not so various upon the Bings as upon the Trapeze, still gymnasts will be generally found practicing upon them of tener ; though why that should
be I know not, as for my own part, I am more partial to the Trapeze
than the Eings.
The gymnast having perfected himself in the previous departments will soon be able to take up the rings. He should start this
exercise with simple arm movement, such as taking hold of the
rings with his hands and gradually drawing himself up to his chin,
and then letting himself down to arm's length.
This should be done slowly and repeatedly, from six to eight times
In succession. In the course of several weeks he will llnd that he
can do it twenty times with the same ease that he did his six or eight
turns when he first began.
This exercise brings into play particularly the muscles of the arms.
!
GYMNASTICS.
5U=>W R&vOLVfc
ROPtr
GYMNASTICS.
54
Tou place your hands on the rings and allow thm to rest
almost half way across the wrists. You will find that in course of
time you will be able to do it with very little exertion.
To make this trick plainer I will add a few words You must place,
as I have already described, your hands above the rings and then
draw yourself up so as to have the hands even with the shoulders,
which is not very easy then you turn the rings out, in order to allow
your shoulders to come [between the ropes. Now draw the rings
toward you, press until you get up at arm's length, and the trick is
different.
done.
When
this trick is
is
divided.
The Kings Not Easy. A beginner will find that the rings are
about as hard as any apparatus in the gymnasium.
But no gymnasium work is eas^'-, and perseverence is the key of
Success. If the first effort is a failure the fifth or sixth may not be.
My advice is to work persistently and never lose heart.
My own experience proves that my advice i good.
GYMNASTICS.
55
ithout a swing.
The Swinging Hand Balance. The swinging hand balance requires first a breast up. When you are up at the forward end of the
rings throw your feet up and strike a balance with your legs over
your head.
The learner should first balance on his hands on the floor with his
feet against the wall. Gradually he should draw away from the
support in order to gain independence.
On the rings it should be learned without the swing. When this
Gradually increase tk^
wB mastered a short swing should be 1<ried.
56
''
GYlMNASTirS.
QYMNASTlOd,
67
THE TRAPEZE.
Remarka on the ^Jxercises.Before proceeding: with the following
exercises, the pupil is advised ta practice several of th-e exercisea
mentioned in the horizontal bar, including many of the preliminary
b(i
body rising
in the
S8
OTMKASTtOS.
be continued or repeated for a much longer time without the gymnast getting so fatigued.
The liEa Swing.Tliia swing is accompiislied by hanging by the
legs, keeping the feet well towards the ground, and swaying the
body to and fro, bringing it up towards the knees when going the
"way the face is, and carrying it out to look, as it were, as far as possible along the ground, in going backwards, the arms being made use
of sharply during the swing. They are brought up in the forward
and extended with the body in the backward swing.
To swing with the legs the gymnast must proceed with the last
exercise to start himself, then bring the legs up, pass them under,
and hitch them over the bar outside the hands, as in Fig. 45, or else
fn bringing them up pass them between the hands and then over;
the body must then be dropped so
Fig. 4 5
as not to check the swing, viz.,
either at the turn from the backward
swing, as in Fig. 45, or else at the
turn for it at the opi)osite end.
To ClBCLH THE BaR IK THB
Swing.Proceed as described in the
last exercise
GYMNASttCS.
conseqnontly a failure In the exercise. There must be none of that
luereiy dropping off the bar almost straight down, as if the exercise
were tinished, but rather as if you tried to hitch the toes on another
bar behind you, and a little higher up than the trapeze bar.
The Turn. Arm and wrist practice. Circle the bar and sit on it,
place the right hand on it with the fingers backwards and the tVmmb
in front, close to the right-hand rope, which must fee grasped with the
left hand about the height of the shoulder (see Fig. 46), then throw
the weight of the body upon the right arm, by lifting it off the bar
and carrying it round the right-hand
Fig. 4a.
rope, raise the legs over the bar, and resume your position upon it. Now repeat
the exercise with the left-hand rope,
when the left hand will grasp the bar,
and the right hand the rope.
In carrying the body round, the legs
should be well lifted up, and the hand
grasping the bar should turn it towards
the legs to enable them to be carried over
a little sooner than they otherwise would
be, thereby likewise relieving the arm of
the weight of the body.
To Stand on the Bar. Balancing
practice. Turn the body sideways and
grasp the rope in front with both hands,
then, placing both feet, one in advance of
the other, straight on the bar, stand perfectly upright, and when the ropes are
steady, gradually let go your hold and
stand thus for a short time. Until able
to do so with confidence, it would be as well to keep tlie hands at a
little distance only from the rope on each side ; but after a time the
gymnast will be able either to stretch his arms out at the side, or
fold them across the chest.
This exercise is varied in many ways ; for instance, standing on one
leg; achieving the balance on both or one leg only while swinging as
in the ordinary way, or to and fro sideways, which latter may be
effected before the balance, or either position of the balance may be
achieved and the swinging motion given afterwards, etc. but these
movements must be attempted by none but practiced gymnasts.
;
GYMNASTICS.
The
bar,
R
'
GrMKASTICS.
61
the ropes, and throw yourself back in the backward swing, In such a
manner that by the time the body has descended as far as practicable, the swing: will return the other way ; but in so doing", turn the
toes well out, and keep the heels well down, then by opening the legs
FiG.48.
Pio.io.
wide, the toes will hitch round the ropes, as shown in the last exer*
cise (see Fig. 49), and when in that position let tlie body sway to and
fro a few times; then raise it up, and unhitching the feet, achieve a
before some other exercise for a finish.
TMNASTICS,
62
Grasp the bar with both hands, and, when in a rood swing brinsf
the legs up, and hitch them over tlie bar, eitiier between tlio
hands or outside them if the latter, they should be very close to tho
hands, or the feet are very likely to come in contact with the ropes
then let go with the hands and gradually lower the body ; when at the
end of the baekward swing carry the arms and head well back, at the
same time unhitch the legs (see Fig. 12), and you will alight safely or
;
the ground.
SXAfKASnOB.
THE HORSE.
The Horse, so c^led from
GYMNASTICS.
made prior to making: the beat off; for if the spring: be made otherwise, the exercise to be effectuated will be entirely spoilt, and tha
chances are that it will not be done at all.
Another thing must be borne
;in
mind,
i. e.,
it
on alighting on the
the toes, and not on the flat foot, or a sudden shock will be the consequence ; besides, if the legs are bent on alighting, it Avill be made
much easier than keeping the legs straight, which must not be.
GYMNASTICS.
in this and three following exercises may be turned a
only, to ease the le^j and to facilitate the raising of it, to
the right or left, as occasion may require.
Kepeat the last exercise, carrying up each leg three times in succession, without either resting or touching the ground between.
Proceed as in the last exercise but one, but carry both legs up at
once, as slow as possible, first to the right, then to the left, keeping
them straight the whole of the time. The body must not be moved
nor carried too much to the opposite side to that to which the legs
are carried; a very little cannot be helped by most gymnasts, for the
nsr.
very
The body
little
p,g
g^^
and giving
it
a slight
the last exercise, also with the run, but turn the body to
and carry the left leg over the left side of the pommels,
dismounting in the manner therein stated. This exercise should
*L-o be done without the run.
"Hftpeat
the
ngfA,/,
GYMNASTICS.
Go through the last exercise but one either with or without the run,
and carry the right leg over as therein stated, then raise the body
by leaning well forward, and alight on the ground, and springing up
again on the instant, but this time carry the left leg over, as in the
eleventh exercise, when alight on the ground in like manner.
This exercise may be 'repeated four or five times in succes;^ion to
advantage, making use of the right and left legs alternately.
Proceed as in the last, but instead of alighting on the ground between, allow the body to assume the upright position, as in the first
exercise, when, without any spring
Fio. 51,
whatever, otherwise than can be given to the body while in that position,
to assist you, carry the left leg over
then again return to the side of the
horse, stop, and carry the right leg
overmgain, repeating the exercise at
least three times each way alternately
without allowing the feet to touch
the ground or the arms to be bent,
and, if possible, the legs should likewise be kept perfectly straight, but
not 8ii:S^. The body must in this exercise be leaned a little forward each
time the leg is carried over the horse,
which will make the exercise much
more easy to achieve.
This is called the Swinging Exercise, or the Saddle Vaulting Movement.
Proceed as in the last exercise |^
but three (Fig. 50), but instead of
resting between the change, lean the body forward to throw your
whole weight upon the arms, then, while bringing the rightleg back,
give the body a kind of turn towards the opposite end of tho horse,
and throw the left leg over it, when your face will be towards the
tail of the horse. Now, to reverse the motion, lean forward as before,
and on the body turning round throw the rightleg oxer again, the
legs each time describing a semi-circle. When able to accomplish
this with ease, practice it with a quicker movement, which w""' give
it
GYMNASTIOS.
Spring up and carry the right knee over the saddle, between the
pommels, jump down and springing: up again directly carry the left
between them then jump down, and on springing up this time carry
both knees over the saddle at once, and kneel upright upon the horse,
letting go the pommels while doing so (Fig. 51). Grasp the pommels
firmly again, and alight on the ground. Do not carry the knee too
far over, or you may topple over and alight on the wrong side of thel
;
horse.
Spring up as In the first exercise. Now raise the right leg slowly by
the knee and carry it over the saddle, extending it as
far as you can without allowing either
leg to touch the horse (Fig. 52). The
body must be well leaned forward In doing this, the hands grasping the pommels
firmly. On bringing the right leg back
alight on the ground, spring up again,
and carry the left leg through In like
maner.
Proceed as In the last exercise, and on
bringing the right leg back carry the left
over at the sametime, and without letting
either touch the eaddle. This requires
but a little practice, when It will become
Jiettding it at
quite easy.
on bringing the
This requires but a little practice, when it will become quite easy.
Carry both of the legs over the saddle at once, without touching it
Vith the feet (Fig. 53), and raising them Into a horizontal position as
soon as the body Is upright. To dismount, lean the body forward, at
the same time raising it up behind and carrying the legs out straight
baickwards, give a good spring and alight on the ground.
Axjhieve the exercise, as for Fig. 51, bringing up both knees at once,
then kneel on the saddle, letting them be well over the horse. Now
let go the pommels, and bringing the hands upwards in front somewhat sharply, at the sametime giving a strong spring forward, lift
your feet from off the horse (see Fig. 54). and alight on the ground on
th3 other side of it.
GYMNASTICS,
legs
Fig. i3.
roil
any
slight assistance,
TAB,,
Bepeat the exercise as for Fig. 53, but let there be no pause or hesitation in carrying the legs over the horse, and let them be well opened
and the body well raised to enable the feet to clear the tops of the
t)ommels (see Fig. 55), which must be let go when the legs are about
to be brought forward, giving a fti^^ong spring with the wrist in doing
gymnastic;-;.
BO, to
6?
An
assistant h.uJ
better be on the opposite side, until you are sure of doing it properly.
Proceed as before, but bend the less at the hips only,and on making the spring: raise them up and carry them only over the rlght-hsind
pommel, keeping" the body perfectly upright while goin? over the
horse, as, wero it also to be raised, It would make the exercise too
I'M. 5 4.
GYMNASTICS.
when
well
should be practiced with the left&s
up
practice to bo able
with the right area,
little
la
it
S>^o.8o.
well.
The
cult
lifting
^ic, 5
6..
In safety
.CCEPTN
rxiT
teTHE SPALDING
ei trade-mark
'"f!.
Spaldinsr Chest
No. 2.
Weight No. 2
use:
Spalding
....
No. 2.
STORES
S.
1916.
IN
stifi
joints.
>MBESEDTBBS
adjustment feature.
Illiutrsting
its
due
For Canadian
to
FOflCOIIPlETEUSTOfSnnES
SEE IHSIOE FRONT
prices de special
one handle at
Each. $1.50
.
COra
OFTHISBOfll
Canadfan Catalopue.
BB
nan
ACCEPT NO
No. 600
Man or Woman
No. 600.
Operated
just like
rowing
No. 119
No. 119. The means used to produce the resistance is a simple friction clutch, which takes
instant hold at the commencement of the stroke
and retains the prersure till its completion,
wrhen it instantly release* it, precisely as in a
boat.
Qyickly taken apart without loosening
any bolts or screws. Each machine is adjustable to any amount of friction or resistance,
Do itot^se oil on friclion cylinder. If Us action iV
ttol perfectly smooth a little clear soap rubbeJ on'
ih surface will properly correct Us action. Floor
home
use. Can be detached from the weight machine quickly and put away in a very small
space until the next opportunity for use presents itself. To be used in connection only with chest weights, like Spalding
No. 5 (see opposite page) which have
______~~~
center arm adjustment, or with handles
:
rv?5^
j
arranged so that they can be pulled from
a bracket close to the floor.
No.R
No. R.
Designed to
article of
this
Cives
entire satisfaction.
4}4 feet by 12 inches
ADDHESSEflTftUS
....
Complete. $7.50
aQiR^an licL^iued
A.G.SPALDING
STORES
IN
&,
BROS,
FOR COMPLETE
UST OF STORES
OF THIS BOO!
ACCEPT NO
SUBSTITUTE
?^!li
....
This No. A Bar is supplied regularly to fit any doorway under 33 inches in width.
fit wider doorways
Extra, 50c
Should not be used in doorways wider than 42 inches. If length larger than 42 inches i
requii
quired, it would be advisable to use a regular horizontal bar.
Bars to
The keys
fit in the
to door jamb and hold the
parts are of malleable iron, very
Hghf, yet strong enough to sustain the heaviest man. The
bar may be quickly removed when not in use, leaving no
projecting part.
Complete with parts.
$2.00
side sockets,
bar firmly
in place.
The
is
supplied regularly to
fit
any door-
inches.
With two
Pair,
may be used
50c
for either
JS^M
Home Vaultmg Hone^
Spalding
No. 72.
Wrought
pieces, steel
guy
wires,
wrought
iron
tumbucUes and
floor
Complete. $30.00
No. 73. Saoe as our No. 72, except famished with solid
Complete. $25.00
hickory bar instead of steel core bar.
pSates
No. 7S.
no
<
20.00
feet
br 6
feet.
and
Vaulting
Bar
where
eration.
By
loosening the
guys attached
to the outer upright the bar is
made
to
AgainalWaU
the wall, as
Vautting Bar in Poutioo
shown in the illustration. The uprights are cold rolled steel, polished
and nickel-plated. and have engraved graduations. The bar proper is
selected hickory, with soecial spring steel core.
GIVEN TO
eOMMONICATIOilS
PrioM
IB effect
Janury
.......
Height'7K feet
PIOHninEJmON
No.
No.
No.
No.
112.
113.
114.
lis.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
feet
116. 4
117. 4>i feet
feet
118. 5
119. 5>ifeet
feet
120. 6
121. 6K feet
swing
backflatagainst
6 feet by 5 feet
-Our
Complete, $35.00
S. 1916.
IN
8jOO
85
9.00
$75
5>^ feet
feet
6>i feet
feet
7
.....
,^
2,S
2.7S
3-00
3J2S
3.30
Gina
OFTHISBBOr
%ritl> tlie boy br maldos Urn take aoifte kind of esetciM. and If b ii on*
tnclmed to do
without nrsinc, pnride huB with uiitaMe appan^oa that ii at
the tame time intereatinc. it won't be long before 70a will tee the effect in hi*
improTcd physique, and no arcins vrill be necessary Co indoce him to show off
bis proweta on swinging rings or trapeze. The boy that started this way
grow* op widi Ibe incUnatioo for athletic exercise that .will keep bint in good
health daring the balance of hi* life^
Start
from 16
feet
down.
No. 201.
Trapeze.
No. 301.
Spalding
No.
1.
Made
together,
No. 2.
Each. $3.50
Wooden
of
one piece
solid
Pair,
With
Widi
With
With
S-foot ropes.
6.foot ropes.
7.foot ropes.
8.foot ropes.
Pair.
"
"
"
J^
11
V^-4^
'*"*'
.75
$1.00
6-in.
8.in.
Pair.
"
1.50
lO-in.
"
2.00
covered,
$1.00
or less.
No. IB.
$4.00
2^
Each. $1.25
No. 2B. 3
JH (l
a\ l
**
$3.50
3.75
4.00
4.25
No. 10.
No. 20.
No. 30.
o o
Made
3.50
Exercising Rings
of three
**
Each. $1.50
No. 3B. 3'A feet long, bars only.
Each, $1,7&
per
Spalding Mattresses
The
and bruises
mended for that purpose only. Sullied only in iizes and materiah specified. Covered with best No. 10 white duck, filled
with two layers of best one-inch hair felt, closely tufted and strongly sewed. Two inches thick.
No. 00. Size 3 X 5 feet.
Each. $8.00
No. 02. Size 5 x 6 feet
Each. $15.00
"
"
12.00
No. 03. Size 5 x 10 feet
25.00
No. 01. Size 4 X 6 feet.
Speciad Wrestling Mattresses
Cover heavy quality duck,
No.
WX.
Size 12 X 12 feet
PiMinATTENnOII6tlB]
Aifcomnmicineits^'
Complete with corduroy cover to lay ever mat and allow 6-inch
margin on all sides.
Each. $90.00
No. WXX. Size 15.^ 15 feet
cJ) $135.00
A.G.SPALDING
S^WfS. SdbMtl
&,
BROS,
meMnnEusrpF
eteustpfstdkhI
SHOBiK
DEfMTCNB 11
TRADEMARK
THE SPALDING
;UBSTITUTE
SPALDING
QUALITY
home on one
Consists
$10.00
Dumb
5.00
Bells.
Complete,
Board
As
10.00
7.50
itself will
all
attached.
$32.50
Each.
$10.00
is
made up and
carried in stock
by
2irticles
us,
equipped as
already attached.
same
An
^^
wound
with electric
tape and then covered with very
soft, smooth grade of horse hide.
Each, $5.00
6 or 8 lbs. weight
iron ball,
Spalding Bar
N'o.
20S.
Har4
pine, strong
Stalls
substantia.
with hair
felt,
A. G.
SPALDING
STORES
5.
1916.
IN
&.
BROS.
For
awmqatig
StJItUHESPALDINGI^JJTRADE-MARK
SPACDING TRADE-MARK INDIAN CLUBS
J
STAINED HNISH
The following clubd bear our Trade-Mark, are made of good material, and are far superior in
shape and finish to the best clubs of other makes. Each pair wrapped in paper bag.
Model BS
'4\h
Pair.
?< lb
lb
l>^ lb
2
lb
lb
3
* SS.S6 Doz.
* J.9^ ""
$ .35
.40
A^-k
SSi^
.70*
4.44
5.76
.85
9J2
"
"
"
7.2/?
"
"
"
Dumb
Hangers
Bell
Japanned
No.AA
Savage Bar
Model BS
Bell
Especially designed by
Dr. Watson L. Savage
Model S. Has large pear shaped ends, with a flexible hickory shaft >^-inch in diameter, producing a vibratory exercise similar to that obtained with the French wand. Each, BOcicSS 40 Dos.
\
"
H^
^K^ No.
0=
Wand
School
No.
3,
black
Ea.c\x,
2.
5 feet long.
Calisthenic
No.
4.
finish
Wand
inch diameter.
Black
Each. 15c. -^ i'7.'/^ Z?<?^..
I
The prices printed tn italics opposite items marked with it vnU be quoted only on orders for one dozen pairs ar
more on sizes up to one pound, and on one-half dozen pairs or more on sizes over one pound in weight
On Wands and Bar Bells Quantity prices vuill be allowed on one-half dozen or more.
llPIIOMPTATtENTIONGIVEMTO
ANY GOMMUNIGATIONS
1
DUMB BELLS
GRIP
mvolved
is
what
is
No
MEN'S.
6.
springs.
No
5.
Nickel-plated
.
MEN'S.
seven
...
springs
No. 4. LADIES'
$2.00
Pair,
$2.50
Pair,
BOYS'.
2.
springs.
fiv= steel
springs
No.
steel
$3.00
Pair.
Black enameled.
Nickel-plated
.,...,..
four steel
Pair,
$2.00
Spalding Trade-Mark
Model
AW
rerial
and superior
kes.
lb. Bells.
lb. Bells.
40c
in
Wood Dumb
weight 25
"
Bells
lbs.
or
lb. Bells.
>^lb.BeU8.
Pair.
Byis
Pair. 45c
"
S-t .44
55c^
Doz
"
5.70
Made on
black enamel.
Over 40
Bells,
Doz
3 90
lb. Bells.
Dumb
Spalding Iron
Bar
Boys'
2.
(Stained Finish.) Spalding Trade-Mark quality. Made of good main shape and finish to the best wood dumb b.;ILs of othef
Elach pair wrapped in paper bag. "Weights specified &tc for each bell
;.
No.
5^:.
Ib^
Pound
lbs.
Bell,
Bar
Bells,
Bell,
on
application.
No.2N. 21b.
No.
No
28. 21b.
B.
"
SOc.it 5.40
No. 5N, 5 lb.
ranin ATTENTION
GIVEN
ANYGOMMyNICATieNS
A. G.
'
rkke*
in effect
JmioMy
&
19|w
No.4B.41b. "
1.2S*
S/6.20 Doz.
$1.50
/3S9 "
The prices printed in italics opposite items marked with it tvill beqnoted
only on orders (or one-dozen pairs or more on stzes up to one pcund, and
Qn Ofie-half dozen pairs or more on sizes cnier one pound in weight
Quantity prices will
be allowed on items
marked vnih it
NOT
NOT
STORES
IMJESSEPTdBS
50c it S5.40Doz.
" 75c.'* S.JO "
lb. Pair,
No. SB.
Bells,
"
No. 4N. 4 lb.
8Sc*
Pair. $1.00
SJO.SO Doz.
"
!N
Sulect tcfaMe
price*
FetCOMPlETEUSTOFSTOaESl
SE INSIDE FBONTCma
OF THIS
BOM
STANDARD QUALITY
given the appellation "Standard" is thereby conceded to be the Criterion, to which are
other things of a similar nature. For instance, the Gold Dollar of the United States is the Standard unit
it must legally contain a specific proportion of pure gold, and the fact of its being Genuine i
guaranleed by the Government Stamp thereon. As a protection to the users of this currency against counterfeiting and
other tricks, considerable money is expended in maintaining a Secret Service Bureau of Experts. Under the law. citizen
manufacturers must depend to a great extent upon Trade-Marks and similar devices to protect themselves against coun>
vyithout the aid of "Government Detectives" or "Public Opinion" to assist them.
lerfeit products
Consequently the "Consumer's Protection" against misrepresentation and "inferior quality" rests entirely upon the
integrity and responsibility of the "Manufacturer."
A. G. Spalding & Bros. have, by their rigorous attention to "Quality," for forty years, caused their Trade-Mark to
become known throughout the world as a Guarantee of Quality as dependable in their field as the U. S. Currency is in its field.
The necessity of upholding the guarantee of the Spalding Trade-Mark and maintaining the Stemdard Quality of their
Athletic Goods, is, therefore, as obvious as is the necessity of the Government in maintaining a Standard Currency.
Thus each consumer is not only insuring himself but also protecting other consumers when he assists a Reliable
Manufacturer in upholding his Trade-Mark and all that it stands for. Therefore, we urge all users of our Athletic
Goods to assist us in maintaining the Spalding Standard of Elxcellence, by insisting that our Trade-Mark be plainly
stamped on all athletic goods which they buy, because without this precaution our best efforts towards' maintaining
Standard Quality and preventing fraudulent substitution will be ineffectual.
Manufacturers of Standard Articles invariably suffer the reputation of being high-priced, and this sentiment is fostered
and emphasized by makers of "inferior goods," with whom low prices are the main consideration.
manufacturer of recognized Standard Goods, with a reputation to uphold and a guarantee to protect, must nece*.
sarily have higher prices than a manufacturer of cheap goods, whose idea of and basis of a claim for Standard Quality
depends principally upon the eloquence of the salesman.
-^
"*
know from experience that there is no quicksand more unstable
^^^5^^--^;^^^
f^ <^^^^^^^*^^^ ^^^^4^C^than poverty in quality and we avoid this quicksand by Standard Quality.
An
compared
all
ol currency,
because
We
^y^
^^V,
^>^
STANDARD POLICY
A Standard Quality must be
is
/-
decidedly for the interest and protection of the users of Athletic Goods, and acts in two ways:
All retail dealers handling Spalding Athletic Goods are requested to supply consumers at our regular printed catalogue
prices neither more nor less the same prices that similar goods are sold for in our New York, Chicago and other stores.
All Spalding dealers, as well hs users of Spalding Athletic Goods, are treated exactly- alike, and no special rebates or
discriminations are allowed to anyone.
This, briefly, is the "Spalding Policy," which has already been in successful operation for the past 1 7 years, and wiB
be
indefinitely continued.
In other words, "The Spalding Policy" is a
& BROS.
LIBRPRY
ATHLETIC
A separate
and
1/
GRAND PRIZE
l^^mt
,T.L0U^1904
JU
Jb^urTL
JLI
1 iN VJ PARIS,
PARI S 1900
,
ATHLETIC GOODS
A. G.
Spalding
Bros.
STORES
MAINTAIN WHOLESALE
RETAIL
NEW YORK
ST.LOULS
CHICAGO
MILWAUKEE
KANSAS CITY
BOSTON
SAN FRANCISCO
PHILADELPHIA DETROIT
LOS ANGELES
NEWARK
CINCINNATI
ALBANY
CLEVELAND SEATTLE
SALT LAKE CITY
COLUMBUS
BUFFALO
INDIANAPOLIS PORTLAND
SYRACUSE ROCHESTER
BALTIMORE WASHINGTON PITTSBURGH MINNEAPOLIS
ATLANTA
LONDON, ENGLAND
LIVERPOOL. ENGLAND
BIRMINGHAM. ENGLAND
MANCHESTER. ENGLAND
BRISTOL. ENGLAND
NEW^YORK
BROOHLYN
TORONTO. CANADA
srOTI.ATsrn
'K
DENVER
DALLAS
MONTREAL. CANADA
NEW ORLEANS
EDINBURGH. SCOTLAND
GTASGnw
ST PAUL
LOUISVILLE
PARIS, FRANCE
SYDNEY. AUSTRALIA
A.G.Spaldi
CHBICOPEE. MASS.
JiONDON, ENG.