Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Military TrainingMilitary leaders figured out in short order that stronger soldiers were better soldiers. Here's a look at a military training center in Paris, France, circa 1901. Note the climbing ladders in the background on the far right.
Labels: Climbing Ladders, Globe Barbell, Military Training
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Tuesday, September 01, 2009
"Classic Gym"I don't know anything about this particular classic gym other than this picture was taken in 1889. Looks like a great place to train...
Labels: Classic Gym, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, Gymnastic Rings, Gymnastics, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture Equipment
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
1865 GymnasiumA look at a rare engraving of the Myrtle Street Gymnasium in Liverpool, England, circa 1865. Look closely and you will see climbing ropes and ladders, wall pulleys, dumbbell lifting and a variety of other interesting methods of training. It was at this Gymnasium where the first Olympic Festivals were held. These early athletic contests gave rise to the "Modern" Olympic games.
Labels: Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, dumbbell lifting, Gymnasiums, Gymnastic Equipment, Gymnastics, Physical Culture, Physical Culture Gym, Vintage Gymnasiums, Wall Pulleys
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Sunday, July 12, 2009
Early Physical TrainingSome of the early physical training "gyms" looked a lot like this one; essentially a big playground. The idea was to simply get your body moving in a number of ways. Notice all the different training methods represented in this rare engraving: balance beams, pole climbing, climbing ropes, the vault horse, climbing ladders, parallel bars, horizontal bars and bodyweight calisthenics.
Even with more modern methods - I'm talking with barbells and dumbbells etc - Getting out and learning to move your body through space in a vigorous manner is still a good idea today.
Labels: Bodyweight Calisthenics, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, Horizontal Bar, Physical Training, Pole Climbing, Pommel Horse
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Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Narragansett Machine CompanyAt the turn of the century, The Narragansett Machine Company was the very first widespread manufacturer of physical training equipment. They made everything from Climbing Ropes and Indian clubs to traveling rings, Wall Pulleys climbing ladders, and even sophisticated strength machines made very eloquently with oak and brass.
I didn't realize it until much later but my grade school gym was outfitted back in the 1920's entirely with classic physical training equipment from The Narragansett Machine Company -- and we were still using it fifty years later.
Labels: Antique Equipment, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, Gymnastic Rings, Indian Clubs, Narragansett Machine Company, Physical Culture Equipment, Physical Training, Providence Rhode Island, Wall Pulleys
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Brosius' GymWhat a great gym! - This fantastic facility was established by George Brosius, a pioneer gymnastics coach and famous "Turner" in the Milwaukee area. More on him and his amazing story at a later date. Gotta love the indian clubs, climbing ropes and medicine balls. This pictures dates from the 1920s.
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, George Brosius, Indian Clubs, Medicine Balls, Milwaukee, Physical Culture, Turnverein
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Sunday, November 04, 2007
Main Hall, Hemenway Gymnasium - circa 1880'sThe original Hemenway Gymnasium, which was completed in 1878, was the finest physical education facility ever created.
It contained every manner of physical training equipment: climbing ladders, tumbling mats, climbing ropes, flying rings, barbells, dumbbells, indian clubs, medicine balls... even early strength building "machines."
There was a running track, handball courts and rooms for fencing, wrestling, boxing and any other imaginable physical activity.
At the head of this fantastic gym was Dudley Allen Sargent, who virtually founded the discipline of physical education (more on him at a later date.)
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, Gymnastic Rings, Hemenway Gymnasium, Indian Clubs, Medicine Balls, Physical Culture Equipment, Physical Education, Tumbling Mats
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Classic Gymnasium from 1888Check out this wood engraving of a classic gymnasium: It was the YMCA at Longacre, London. This particular gymnasium was opened by the Prince of Wales on June 16, 1888.
Notice the variety of physical training going on: Indian Clubs, Tumbling, Parallel Bars, High Bar, Pommel Horse, Wall Pulleys, Climbing Ladders, Gymnastic Rings, Climbing Ropes and a rack of Barbells along the wall.
Labels: Barbells, Classic Strongman Gyms, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, Gymnastic Rings, Gymnastics, High Bar, Indian Clubs, Parallel Bars, Physical Culture Equipment, Tumbling, Wall Pulleys, YMCA
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
 Oldtime Physical Culture Gyms | "Mens sana in corpore sano" - Latin for a sound mind in a strong body. It used to be that physical fitness and education went hand in hand; a mindset that is not quite as common these days. In these oldtime gyms you would find a variety of training equipment: |
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, Indian Clubs, Medicine Balls, Parallel Bars, Physical Culture Equipment, Pommel Horse
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
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