Tag: The Washington Gymnasium

One of the very first gyms in the United States was opened by Abner Brady in 1865: “The Washington Gymnasium” in Washington D.C. (right on Louisiana Avenue and within sight of the U.S. Capitol) featured a great variety of exercise opportunities. The exercising room was 40 feet by 108 feet and featured all manner of manly pursuits: look closely and you’ll see dumbbell lifting, rope climbing, gymnastics, calisthenics, pulley weights, fencing, wrestling and boxing (among others.)

According to Brady’s advertising: “[This Gymnasium is especially adapted and designed] to the persons of sedentary habits, and those whose occupation and pursuits confine them to the office, or deprive them of proper physical exercise.”