EXERCISE FOR ANY GIVEN MUSCLES
there is in one set of muscles at least. All doubts are gone from his mind now as to whether one exercise he knows will call into play the muscles of his leg below the knee or not. It is equally plain that it is not his forearm, or upper arm, or the back or front of his chest which has been in action; for none of these have felt fatigue, the tire being all confined to the muscles in question.
Again, had there been beside him two men of nearly the same weight, but one of small and feeble calves; the other having them shapely and—not fat but—well developed; is there any doubt which of the two could have kept at the exercise the longer, yet with the less fatigue? Few need be told that a muscle, unused to work at first, can gradually, by direct and systematic exercise, be strengthened; but not a few there are who are unaware that, with the new strength, comes increased size as well.
Yet, to those familiar with athletic work, it is as plain as that you must have your eyes open if you want to see. A gentleman of our acquaintance, of magnificent muscular and vital development, was not satisfied with the girth of his calves, which was 14¼ inches. At our suggestion he began practising this simple raising and lowering of the heels. In less than four months he had increased the girth of each calf one whole inch. When asked how many strokes a day he averaged, he said, "From fifteen hundred to two thousand"; varied some days by holding in each hand during the process a twelve-pound dumb-bell; and then only doing one thousand or thereabouts. The time he found most convenient was in the morning on rising; and just before retiring at night. Instead of the work taking much time, seventy a minute was found a good ordinary rate;
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