Gymnasium

Salisbury, N.C. Graded School Gymnasium

Exercise class using Indian clubs circa 1907. 

The Indian Club is an exercise devise with a fanciful tale attached to it in the “Emperor’s New Clothes” tradition.  It seemed that the luxurious job of being king soon became taxing for one Indian ruler and he lost interest in his lifestyle.  A wise man showed up to offer a cure—a bowling pin shaped club.  The wise man told the king that it had potent drugs in the handle and he was to swing the club out in the garden at regular intervals.  Of course the fresh air and exercise was the potent drug.  The English army adopted the Indian club exercise method soon after the occupation of India by the English.  Others also found the exercise beneficial and followers soon brought it to America where it ended up in exercise programs even in the schools.

Postcard series no. 0162 Raphael Tuck & Sons

Source: 

Riverside Magazine for Young People Vol. 3, 1869

Theo Buerbaum

The materials in this collection are made available courtesy of Rowan Public Library for use in research and private study. Images and text may not be used without prior permission from Rowan Public Library, Edith M. Clark History Room.

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