WHAT EXERCISE TO TAKE DAILY
each pupil; and even, for many of them, that high with one hand. The running should have improved correspondingly, so that five minutes of it at a respectable pace, say at the rate of a mile in seven minutes, would not trouble the girls, and even ten minutes of it not distress the boys.
Now, what have these few exercises done for the muscles and their owners?
Well, the straight-arm work on the parallels, by throwing the whole weight on the hands, told directly on the upper back-arm, while the dips brought the same region into most vigorous action; and at the same time opened and strengthened the front of the chest very markedly; tending to set the shoulders back, and enlarging the chest-girth under the arms. The high-bar work told equally upon the biceps muscles, or those of the front of the upper arm; and likewise on the front of the shoulders. The vaulting made the vaulter springy; and strengthened his thighs and calves materially; and his abdominal muscles somewhat; while the more advanced work on the rings brought both the biceps and abdominal muscles into most energetic play. The running was excellent for the entire legs, and the abdominals; while as a lung-expander it is difficult to equal.
Those proficient at these few exercises, if they have heeded the endeavors made to secure at all times an erect and easy carriage of the body, need but one more thing. With regular and sensible habits of eating, sleeping, dressing, and bathing, they would be almost certain to be at once well and strong. The thing wanted is daily constitutional out~of-door exercise; whether taken afoot, on horse-back, at the oar, or on the bicycle, it matters little, so long as it is vigorously taken and faithfully
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