‘Seentth Rice THOMAS INCH Ex-World’s Champion Weight-lifter PRICE 1/- 4 KKSTRENGTH SECRETS By THOMAS INCH e Printed by the Kingston & Staines Press, Ltd., London Road, Kingston-on-ThamesTHE TRUTH ABOUT WEIGHT LIFTING Weight lifting has been a much maligned sport. Damaging statements have been made as to its making people slow, damaging hearts, shortening life. I am glad to think that, after useful pioneer work of pro- fessionals many years ago, sustained to this day, and the business-like campaign of the governing body, the British Amateur Weight Lifters Association, who have at last succeeded in placing the sport of lifting upon a scund basis from every point of view, the erroneous ideas are dying out. Many years ago I actually took in hand cases of heart weak- ness selected by the Editor of * Health & Strength” in con- junction with a heart specialist and, under sworn affidavit and strict medical supervision, readers of the journal mentioned were within three months brought to physical perfection with weak hearts made strong, using my advanced or weight-lifting system only. , Everyone concerned swore an affidavit so there should be no room for doubt, and I felt that the result was a great victory for weight lifting, proving that scientific use cf weights not only did NOT damage the heart, but that, provided the exercise was carried on under the care of a proper instructor, weights could even be used to tone up a weak heart without the least danger of strain. I then proceeded to introduce weight lifting into the training of athletes engaged in sports which, above all, required speed, sports such as running, boxing, cycling, swimming, and, particularly, boxing. Both Gunner Moir and Bombardier Billy Wells were in my care for a time, they both won the heavyweight championship of Britain at boxing, their names are well-known to-day for the wonderful things they did in the ring. I admit that the weights they used were not particularly heavy, still, they were disc weights, they assisted these famous boxers in their training, making them stronger in in-fighting, giving them a harder punch. Moir snatched 134 lbs. single-handed, and Wells performed a single-handed military press of over 80 Ibs., lifts which I do not think disgraced them, but which they could be proud of. 3This I imagined was a nail in the coffin of the attack upon lifting from the speed point of view, a proper answer to the sneer, " Weight lifting makes you slow.” As to weight lifting shortening life, the writer actually made a world’s record (276 lbs., two dumb-bells anyhow) at age 48. The last time he had a chat with the old-time amateur champion, Lawrence Levy, Levy was well over 70 years of age. A little while back “* Health & Strength” printed an article in connection with another old-timer, a professional this time Me Cann, of the famous brothers Mc Cann, who challenged Sandow, and one of the brothers actually met him in a weight lifting contest. Mc Cann claimed to have lifted weights till over 70 years of age. I believe he had reached over 80 and was still going strong! Need I say more as to the ridiculous statement that lifters die young? I could mention many lifters who made records at well over forty years of age. What other sport can be mentioned where this is so? The truth is that weight lifting can be made of special value to participants in most sports and games. It will tune up the muscle you already possess more surely and at a more rapid rate than any other known method, it does not, as is the case with many forms of light exercise, leave ycu with muscle which is only of use for show purposes, it gives real strength in proportion to the development. It puts the finishing touches upon such development as may have been gained from any other system or sport or game. It is a pleasant and interesting way of reaching a high stan- dard of strength and. fitness. It is not an expensive mode of training, there are plenty of opportunities for the ambitious in connecticn with champion- ships, records, certificates from the acknowledged governing body, also from the official organ cf weight lifting—* Health & Strength.” It is at once health giving and a splendid hobby. If you have not yet purchased an up-to-date disc bar-bell, the poundage of which can readily be altered at a moment's notice, and commenced work with same, watching ycur muscles grow and your strength develop, checked by entries in your diary, you have a treat in store! The only piece of advice or word of warning I can issue is this—it pays to obtain the services of a qualified instructer. I do not mean someone who advertises but who has yet to prove that he has any right to teach, advertisers who have never been seen stripped at any display, who hold no records, whe 4have not even tried to establish one—but the genuine lifter who himself holds records, an ex-champion who has proved his knowledge in many a public display and contest. Such a man can save disappointment, wasted time and effort, and any danger there may be through using wrong styles, too heavy poundages, etc. Progress is naturally made at a far more rapid rate when your footsteps are guided by the hand of one who has been “ through the mill,” as the saying goes. There is in everything a right and a wrong method. This book will give a real insight into the methods of the best amateurs and profes- sionals, an individual course would put the finishing touches to your attempts to gain strength above the average.MUSCLE SPINNING AND MUSCLE TUNING This is such a big subject that I can only briefly deal with same in this small work. I am often asked the question, “Is weight lifting alone sufficient for heavy muscular development?” I will be quite candid and admit that it is quite possible for a man who confines his work to weight lifting only to develop remarkable strength, evidenced by wonderful lifts, and yet not be heavily muscled. I am personally in favour of varying the work by allo- cating a certain amount of time to other methods, such as moderately heavy dumb-bell work, use of a heavy expander, interest and participation in other sports and games. Thus development is hurried along at a more rapid rate than would be possible with actual weight lifting alone. In saying this I will again emphasise the fact that a man may, by light systems with many repetitions, develop size in muscle without accompanying strength in proportion. Which is tantamount to saying that no true physical cul- turist should consider his private gymnasium or system of training complete without weight lifting work. Because the very first thing weight lifting will do for you, whether you ever thoroughly master perfection in the science of lifting or not, will be to tune both muscle and sinew, thus making your muscular development more than mere ornament. giving you the satisfaction of knowing that you are not only better developed but also’ stronger than your fellows. It may be taken as a general principle in connection with muscle spinning that fast work, with many repetitions, keeps measurements down, it is the way one would work, with a cut in diet and liquids, for weight reduction. Such work includes running, skipping, Indian club swinging, long drawn-out light dumb-bell work or wall exercise work, shadow boxing, ball punching, boxing, etc. None of this kind of work is calculated to put on heavy muscular development, though it has its uses, it improves wind and speed, etc. Therefore, as will be seen from another chapter, I do not condemn it entirely for the weight lifter, because I have some- thing to say upon the advisability of deliberately including speed 6work in the curriculum so that, when record breaking is the objective, you shall not rely upon mere muscle, but add to your strength and scientific positions the valuable asset of speed. At the same time, the would-be strong man would be more or less wasting his time if he relied solely upon one of the systems of very light dumb-bell work with many repetitions, used Indian clubs, engaged in fast games such as tennis, boxing, etc., or performed daily upon a wall exerciser. I have known all the best and most famous strong men from the time of Louis Cyr, Sandow, Sampson, Lawrence Levy, Launceston Elliot, Tom Pevier, Prof. Szalay, Maspoli, Bonnes, Arthur Saxon, John Marx, Apollo, Appollon (the French Giant), Hackenschmidt, Lurich, Deriaz Brothers, Padoubny (Russian wrestler), and countless others down to the time of W. P. Pullum, Aston, Carquest, Samson, Rigoulet, Cadine, Gorner, and present-day Ronald Walker, Daniels, and other of our well-known amateur champions. I have been friendly with and practised with the majority of those mentioned, I know all heir methods, they were wonderful strong men, they could hardly be expected to improve upon the records standing to their names. Therefore, their methods must have been correct, and I will give some insight into such method of training in this book. There is nothing against including weight lifting practice with general physical culture work right from the outset of your training, although I do not advise weight lifting only for several reasons. Other work may be useful in giving good control, speed of movement, knowledge of anatomy—the lifting practises may always be relied upon to automatically tune the muscle as fast as you develop it. Only champions training to protect their championships are called upon to practise strenuously every day or to go “ all out ” consistently in their training, those who will be satisfied with a better development than over 90 per cent. of people possess with strength in proportion may look forward to enjoyable training which will give them much pleasure and enable them to surprise their friends with their prowess without undue effort. But in saying this, it will be seen from a further chapter that when astonishing strength above the average is desired, or when records are to be made or feats of strength performed upon the stage, then it is necessary to endure special testing exercises with weights a little outside the usual run of the average physical culturist’s regime. Because this is the only way in which muscles can be tuned to the highest pitch, and particularly applies to sinew and tendon tuning, about to be dealt with.Above all, you must observe gradual progression—work to a system where you have a definite aim, and consistently add poundage both to exercise weights and to weights lifted in actual practise of various lifts. Whilst on the subject of muscle spinning, I had better remark that diet is of importance, although I have not the space to deal specially with the sub- ject here, I feel I must draw attention to a very simple aid which is so help- ful that, even when mistakes are made and the diet is not quite up to the standard required to repair broken-down tissue in the case of the busy physical culturist, this hint will do much to put things right. I refer to the inclusion of Bovril, the athlete’s stand-by. It has been proved beyond shadow of doubt that Bovril immediately brings up the nutritive quality of any meal, what is more, you benefit in a remarkably short space of time. This is interesting news to the strong man desirous of taking something shortly before a record attempt, or participation in a contest or competition. Both the health seeker and would-be strong man will un- doubtedly benefit by including Bovril in their dietary. It is well known that many record breakers are also Bovril medalists; the company issue a much- coveted medal award for which any Bovril user may compete, awarded for any 1/ meritorious” feat of the right standard; applications should be made to the Manager, Bovril, Ltd. Old Street, London, E.C.1.TENDON STRENGTH —A GREAT STRENGTH SECRET Many people are puzzled when a man exhibits great strength but does not quite look the part, by which I mean the performer's measurements are not particularly impressive. The explanation is in- variably to be found in tendon strength, and several instances of this immediately occur to the mind—Samson, appearing to-day in his show break- ing chains supporting weights, etc., in a sur prising manner, and yet apparently only a middle weight. Then we have W. P. Pullum, who won many titles and made many records without ever show- ing what one might term heavy muscular develop- ment; true, his. positions in weight lifting were sis practically perfect, but The late Arthur Saxon— there was an additional “ World’s Strongest Man:”” reason—tendon strength. Once a strong man appeared at the Coliseum, London. He boasted that his biceps were only a mere 12 inches, and chest about 36 inches. Yet he lifted huge weights, particularly in positions such as dead lifts, i.e., just off the ground, supporting heavy weights, etc. In every case there was sufficient muscle for the purpose, it had been tuned to perfection, scientific positions thoroughly mastered, above all, sinews and tendons were capable of resist- ing enormous pressure. A little thought will make it obvious that no matter how much muscle a man may have, he cannot properly exert same if his tendons are soft or weak, his strength is governed by his tendon power.I do not think I can possibly do better than quote the case of the late Arthur Saxon, once known as the world’s strongest man, because I was more intimately associated with Saxon than any other strong man I have met, he was my friend, we prac’ tised together, took holidays together. I certainly may claim to know more about his training methods than anyone else in the physical culture world. Saxon lifted 370 Ibs. overhead with the single-handed bent press from the shoulder, he military pressed over 250 Ibs., raised 448 Ibs. in the bar-bell and ring weight style two hands anyhow, truly a prodigious set of lifts, he was never defeated. One of the feats he performed nightly was to support a heavy plank upon his feet with some 10 or 12 men thereon, and a 300 Ib. bar-bell in his hands and three men seated on that. His measurements were not remarkable considering his extra- ordinary power, a 17 inch biceps, 44 inch chest, 16 inch calf, weight only 14 st. 4 Ibs. Another example of tendon strength. So I will proceed to analyse his method of developing same as practised in my presence upon very many occasions. Apart from regular lifting practice, always working up from a light weight to his heaviest lift on any selected set of lifts to ensure plenty of practice at scientific positions, and always aiming at (1) a better position; (2) greater speed, Saxon used to include :— The deep knee bend. This consists of placing a heavy bar-bell upon the shoulders, holding same there with both hands and dipping up and down, allowing buttocks to touch or nearly touch the heels, Upon flat feet. Gradually increase weight of the bell, and if necessary have it placed upon the shoulders and ends watched by your catchers. Various lifts and supporting movements laid upon the back. Saxon was very partial to work when laid flat upon the floor. He claimed that there was less heart strain and in this posi- tion, in comfort, weights could be handled which would not be possible stood up- right, his whole aim in the set I am dealing with was to tune not only muscles but SINEWS AND 16TENDONS. It was one of the great secrets of his enormous strength. He would place a bar-bell upon the feet and then, watching same carefully, press it up and down until the legs were tired, He would also allow at least one man to sit upon the bar in the middle near his feet. He pulled over a very heavy bar-bell with large discs and practised the two styles of lifts upon back, with and without bridge. HE ALWAYS MADE A PRACTICE OF ALLOW- ING TWO OR THREE MEN TO SIT UPON THE BAR-BELL BEFORE RELEASING IT. I am going out of my way to describe his favourite exercises with heavy material in tuning positions because they are not only the key to record lifts but also pave the way to giving a strong show of an impressive character. : Another supporting position is to stand upright and have a bar-bell lifted up to you, you to hold it in both hands overhead, and then, by yourself, change over to a single-handed hold up, pass the bar back to both hands position and have it taken away by catchers. I hope it is clear that in these positions light weights would be useless, you have to deliberately use as heavy a weight as you possibly can to benefit properly, further, to gradually increase the poundage, never rest content. It is hard work, but the only way to ensure success. The same principle applies to expander work, the usual light expander pulling with a single strand is of no use to the physical culturist who wishes to shine at record lifts and to tune muscle and sinew. He will find it necessary to ascertain the positions where the utmost possible leverage can be applied, and in those positions use a particularly heavy machine, as much as he can possibly pull, in order to improve pushing power for weight lifting purposes, strong shows, etc. 11SPEED IN RELATION TO STRENGTH It is now generally recognised that speed plays a very impor- tant part in connection with weight lifting championships and records. I wish those who imagine that lifters are slow could be induced to visit one of the B.A.W.L.A. championships and watch competitors perform the double-handed snatch, or two hands clean and jerk—the speed is amazing. For speed you need supple muscles and energy. I caused considerable interest some time ago by delivering a special lecture on the attainment of great strength, where I dealt specifically with this important matter of speed, and this leads me to believe that it will be appreciated if I include some of the remarks referred to in this small booklet. I advised my audience, mainly. composed of strong men and lifters, to deliberately train for speed, as well as for muscle, scientific positions and tendon tuning. Sports or games which would help develop speed are boxing, tennis, sprint running, fives, football. One has to specialise nowadays, I know, so you will only be able to devote a little time to the foregoing. If you don’t find it convenient to practise boxing, obtain and use a punch ball, they are inexpensive, it forms an agreeable change of work, it will certainly help you. As would cycling—this outdoor exercise gives energy, quickly tuning the large leg muscles used in lifting. I have always admitted the benefit which I have personally derived from cycling, and I have been a cyclist all my life, over 40 years’ cycling experience, I don’t think there has been a single match or record where I have not used my B.S.A. cycle as part of my training. I know other lifters who-say:the same thing, and one keen devotee to the wheel was the late Arthur Saxon, who rode to London from Manchester one hot day using a gear in the region of 100. A little loose work such as shadow boxing, stationary, running (the W. G. George 100 up, bringing the legs up with knees waist high each time, right up on the toes), practising short sprints, ie., getting off the mark at word of command and running smartly about 20 to 30 yards then returning to the mark for further starts—all this would help materially. Above all, include self-massage in your routine. You do not need to be told that no professional boxer would think of training for an important contest without massage. 12I mention this because of all sports or games boxing is the speediest, a blow is delivered in the fraction of a second. But I have always felt that weight lifters have neglected this aid to suppleness and speed. I have never done so myself. I have admitted the benefit derived from its practice all my life. I have even stated that without massage I would never have been able to make world’s records at age 48 and continue with my shows and challenge feats to over 50 years. There'is a foolish notion that one needs a masseur, expensive of course, but this is not at all necessary. Those interested had better write to Elliman, Sons & Co., Ltd., of Slough, England. They not only make the very best embrocation for athletes which it is possible to procure, but they issue, entirely free of charge, a most helpful book on self-massage. Merely mention my booklet in applying. Of course, if you only practice slow pushing types of lifts such as the dead lifts, single and double-handed military, holding at arms’ length, two hands push or press, either stand- ing or upon the back, curl to the shoulders, rectangular fix, etc., you will naturally stiffen somewhat, you are doing nothing to limber up and develop speed. But if you will see to it that you include plenty of single and ‘double-handed snatching, two hands clean, the jerk lifts, dumb-bell swings, and never allow yourself to forget for a single moment the value of SPEED, you will not only counteract any slowness which might tend to creep in but you will find yourself splitting the feet like lightning, getting under a weight like a flash, whipping the elbows beneath the bar when pulling in, in a way which will be a great advance upon old-style methods, but will also help you to go up substantially in your poundages. Self-massage with Elliman’s will in any case add a definite percentage to speed and suppleness. 13MENTAL EFFICIENCY AND GENERAL ADVICE I found the audience referred to in a previous chapter intensely interested when I discoursed to them upon the advisability of their studying psychology. I explained that the first-class athlete, no matter what the sport may be, needs concentrative power beyond the average, a strong will, ability to control the emotions during a contest. Such a man has a decided advantage over his competitors who enter a contest doubting themselves, wondering whether they will, or will not, win or succeed with their record lift. I explained that it is just as easy to make a study of practical psychology and apply it to athletics as it is to develop the body. There are cheap books to be had upon the subject, my own system carefully covers the matter in a style which is at once interesting and effective. I have always seen to it that Inch students received the right instruction here because I know how much it means to them if they intend to take their athletics seriously. The foregoing is worthy of serious consideration. The lifter mentally efficient as well as physically fit has the advantage of being immune against stage fright, able to cope with any dilemma which arises, he gets the last ounce out of himself, he is up-to-date and not behind the times. Efficiency (both mental and physical) can easily be spoilt by carelessness in diet. It is remarkable how many physical culturists and even well-known athletes imagine that, provided they work hard enough physically, they have nothing else to worry about, and they are apt to ignore the help which a carefully-balanced diet can give. All such ought to be warned that it is actually dangerous to push exercise to extremes upon an ill-chosen diet. Whilst I am not able, in the short space at my disposal, to deal thoroughly with this, a rather big subject, as it is a very important one, I can give one piece of advice which I am confident readers will thank me for—to make Hovis the base of every meal. After over 35 years’ experience of diet in general, and Hovis in particular, I am firmly convinced there is no other bread to 14compare with it, there is a scientific reason for its food value— 25% of added germ of wheat content, its vital properties are more or less missing from other breads. Hovis is more palatable than ordinary bread. I am con- stantly receiving letters praising its good qualities, there can by no mistake with so many athletes and physical culture authorities in agreement—my suggestion is that the health and strength seeker puts it to the test and judges it on results. Don’t confuse Hovis with brown bread—insist on HOVIS. 15SECRETS: OF THE MUSIC HALL STRONG MAN HOW TO GIVE A STRONG SHOW I suppose it is only natural, after spending much time and a certain amount of money, when success attends your efforts and you find yourself with superb development and physical powers obviously out of the ordinary, that you should desire to demonstrate same. The more physical cul- turists who can go about performing private, semi- private or public feats of astonishing strength, the better for the iron game and physical _ culture generally. It is all good propa- ganda work, and there are many displays running throughout the year, in every part of the country, where they are only too pleased to secure the co-operation of those who can entertain audiences. The trouble is that it is not everyone who possesses show- manship, the art of setting your wares out to the best advantage before an audience. You will be glad to know that there is a science in feats of strength just as there is in lifting itself, and I will explain a number of striking feats which will enable a well-developed lifter to easily give a good show, he will be interested to hear that he will be able to master many of the feats which made strong men famous. Not long ago it was considered “the thing” to wear a pair of pink coloured tights and a leopard skin, to-day physical culturists solve the difficulty of suitable costume by merely wearing a dark slip, and, perhaps, a pair of sandals. 16A plain black background helps to show off development, particularly if you intend to put in a series of poses as ani introduction to your act. With or without a pedestal, you may arrange a set of either :— (1) Muscular poses and controls without apparatus. (2) Poses with apparatus, such as sword, spear, club, bow and arrow. It is sometimes effective to use special costumes for posing, such as Roman armour, to utilise the services of an assistant to pose with you, or to intermingle both the muscular poses and the figures depicting well-known characters such as “ The Archer,” “ The Swordsman,” etc. When I say that every Physical Culturist can give a strong show, I do not mean that actually every one of the feats that strong men perform on Music Hall stages can be duplicated by any Physical Culturist, but I do say that any ordinary Physical Culturist can get together by the help of these instruc- tions a very interesting and surprising exhibition of strength. If the feats cannot be duplicated as they stand they can be performéd with some slight alteration, whilst in the case of well developed and strong Physical Culturists who have done a little weight lifting, there is not the slightest doubt but that a splendid show can be given. 1.—CARD TEARING. This is a feat which may be called a drawing-room feat because it can be done anywhere at any time. A pack of cards is always handy, and it is surprising what a terrific name for great strength a Physical Culturist immediately gets who can tear in two a pack of playing cards, fifty-two in number. The feat, I believe, was introduced by Sandow, the well- known strong man, but it will be encouraging to learn that practically anyone can tear a pack of cards once they knew how. I may at once state that the secret is ‘* kinking” the cards. 7This is done by pulling the cards one way with the right hand and pushing them the other way with the left till they take the form of an elongated “S,” after which the cards will commence to tear, and it will be a simple matter to finish them off. The whole secret is in starting them as explained. The cards should be held on the left knee. 2.—EXPANDER. PULLING. A splendid feat is the “strong man’s chest expander.” Tf you wish to perform this feat you must practise regularly m= with a strong chest expander and keep adding rubber until you can only just press the ex- pander out once. See to it that the rubber cords are all of short length as your reach will enable you to press out, as the longer the cords are the easier they are to pull out. The position in which the ex- pander must be pressed is that shown in the accompanying il- lustration _™ the back press,” and the secret of this feat is to jerk the shoulders together, compressing the shoulder blades AND THUS SHORTENING YOUR REACH, so that you can press out a much stronger expander than otherwise would be the case. The expander must be held by two men at the start who must pull one at each end in a tug of war, and it will be found that they will hardly stretch it at all. Now for more secrets:—The men, in pulling, will “ warm up” the rubber cords so that when the expander is handed to you, you will easily pull it out, so that you therefore can always have one more strand on than you are in the habit of pulling in the ordinary way. It must be explained that it is almost impossible to get men of even weight, and the heavier one will pull the lighter one without straining the expander, and there is not the slightest reason why you should not work up to an expander which two, or even three, men at each “Finish of the back press” 18end will fail to pull, provided the men ARE OF UNEVEN WEIGHT. I will explain one or two feats with the giant expander, as I used to term it, which I used to demonstrate in my own strong show, and which invariably drew plenty of applause. Make use of a short strap attached to the end of one of the handles. Pass one finger through same, first holding it up for the audience to understand the nature of the feat, ask a member of the audience to take hold of the other handle, then with a vigorous tug pull your man violently towards you, letting him go right past you to the amusement of the audience. I used to pull three men like this, taking them off their guard somewhat, and once on the run they had no chance to recover. Another sensational feat was to press out the heavy expander in the easy back press style, and then allow two men to hang upon my arms, they took hold near the elbows to reduce leverage and as they did so I allowed the strands to assist by raising my hands upwards, and then it will be found the strands take a large portion of the strain. This is the first time this secret has been disclosed. For illustration see book, “* The Art of Expander Pulling.” 3. SUPPORTING WEIGHTS. It must have been noticed that about 90% of strong men’s feats are in the nature of supporting weights. There is a very simple reason for this, Le., one can support many more times than one can lift, therefore it will pay you not to go in much for lifting weights in any posi- tion, but, instead, support weights. ON THE BACK. A very simple feat is to take a light bar-bell and lift this overhead, laid on the back, after which let a man sit at each end of the bar-bell. Very little practice will enable the Physical Culturist to do this, trying at first light men and then heavier men, whilst in course of time the bar-bell may be a larger and heavier one too. “World's record. hold-up by Inch” 19STANDING UPRIGHT A variation of the foregoing is to place the. bar-bell across the shoulders, first placing a small pad on the shoulders. Then the men must hang on with the feet clear of the ground, after which you will easily revolve on one foot—a feat which never fails to elicit applause. THE BOARD FEAT. The sketch herewith shows the kind of board to be used: I have had many enquiries about this particular feat, and care- a fully show how the parts for the knees and shoulders should be padded and a space cut out for the head to fit through, and, beyond this, ledges to prevent the weights slipping about. This is a very taking feat, and provided you are content to work up little by little there will be no danger, and you and your audience will be very much surprised at the amount of weight you will succeed in sustaining. HERE IS THE SECRET OF THIS FEAT.—Most of the weight must be kept over the feet so that it rests on the knees, and the smaller portion of the weight bearing on the arms, which are the weakest. The bones between the knees and the ankle cannot very well break, and, therefore if you keep still and do not allow the board to sway about, there will be no danger. If live weights are to be used the men must, get on two at a time, first joining hands and then stepping on at exactly the game time, without any rush or flurry. Any man in the street can, at a moment's notice, support four 10-stone men, and a physical culturist should have no trouble in supporting four men, one at each corner, and the whole of his set of bar-bells, etc., or six men and the whole of his weights, as we have seen enormous weights supported at Music Halls, and it stands to reason that the Music Hall strong man cannot be at the outside more than twice as strong as the ordinary physical culturist. 20This is easily proved by the fact that the ordinary physical culturist will raise with two hands overhead 140 Ibs., but there are very few Music Hall strong men who can raise 280 lbs in the same way. CARRYING WEIGHTS. One of the most taking feats that I know, not difficult of perfermance, is to select two men of light weight (only 8st. or 9st. each) and let them stand on two chairs. Then they must take hold of a light bar, atfer which you get beneath same and carry the men off the stage—a very fitting conclusion to your entertainment it will be found. They face the audience and place folded arms over the bar, which makes contact on the chest, or they may reach up, take hold and hang facing each other, then draw up the legs at a given. signal. 4.—LIFTING HUMAN WEIGHTS. Once the bent press is mastered it is a very simple matter indeed to raise a light man overhead with one hand. This can be done by laying him on the palm of your hand and letting him take hold of your wrist or else by lifting him in the form known as the human ring weight. It should be mentioned that you will always get more applause for lifting human beings than you will get for lifting iron weights of the same or even of much heavier poundage. 5—_CABINET POSING. Having received so many enquiries about this very interesting feature of a strong shew (i¢., at the commencement or con- clusion of same), I propose to explain how it is done. Dark plum coloured curtains should be arranged in semi circular form with a small flat curtain to pull on, on a brass rod at the front, The light or lights should be right overhead to show up plenty of dark shadows when, if a physical culturist is at all well developed, he will look a lot better than he really is. After everything is ready the curtain should suddenly be pulled on, disclosing you in cne of your favourite poses. This pose should be practised for hours in front of a good looking-glass and learnt off by heart, and all the time you should carefully study to find cut poses which suit your par- ticular kind of physical development. The best costume for the foregoing is a simple imitation leopard skin loin cloth and a pair of strong men’s sandals. 216.—JUGGLING. The apparatus generally used by jugglers consists of what are known as kettle weights, and whilst no particular strength is necessary to juggle with kettle weights or even bar-bells or dumbbells, a lot of practice is necessary, and this must take place where it will not matter if the weights are dropped. Kettle weights are spun in the air and caught by the hands, first in one hand and then in the other, always spinning the handle away from you, NOT towards you. Bar-bells are thrown from one hand to the other overhead, allowed to drop in the bend of both arms, elbows held near the hips, then thrown up again and caught with one or both hands overhead, whilst a very taking feat is to rest a light bar-bell at the back of the neck and. then to allow it to roll down the back into. the hands held ready to catch the weight. 7.—CHAIN BREAKING. This is in many cases nothing more nor less than a conjuring feat, but supposing you wish to break a chain which is not so strong as to make it ridiculous to try,.the very best possible method of doing so will be to fasten one end to an iron bar upon which you must stand. Fasten the other end on another piece of iron rod, making the chain of such a length that the top bar just passes over your two knees. Now twist the top bar round cnce so that a kink comes in one of the links, after which stoop down and get as much of your thighs beneath the top bar as you possibly can, when you will find that by straightening the back, pulling with arms, and thrusting with the legs, the chain will snap. In this position you can use a chain which has impressed your audience by resisting 6 or even 10 men. 8.—TRESTLE ACT. A very simple and interesting feat is to place the neck on one padded trestle and the heels cn another, and then support on the body a number of men. At first sight the above statement may scare you, but you will remember I promised to explain how Music Hall feats may be performed by the every-day physical culturist, and though it would appear to the audience that the neck and heels rest on the trestles, in reality the shoulders and ankles rest on the trestles. 22The men are taught to distribute their weight care- fully. They have slippers and not boots, and they stand near your shoulders and near your heels, so that the weight goes directly on to the trestles, and they get as far away from the abdominal muscles as possible. Any physical culturist should not have the slightest trouble in supporting three men, one on the chest, one on the legs, and the remaining one on the stomach. The one in the middle must put his hands on the shoulders of the other two and put as much his weight as he possibly can on those two men. Whilst in the above position you can make the feat much more attractive and startling by holding up a light bar-bell in your hands, which you can easily do. 9—BENDING AND SNAPPING POKERS. Before explaining this feat, we should say that steel or cast iron pokers snap, but wrought iron pokers bend, so that you must explain to the ironmonger which kind you want. It is dangerous to break steel or cast iron pokers because the end that flies off may strike someone a nasty blow. Whichever kind you chcose, choose one with a heavy end, because it will be easier to bend or break. Take hold of the handle part and hold the poker overhead. Bend the left leg and thus bring the poker down on the thick and fleshy part of the thigh. Commence with a light iron rod and get used to this feat, and gradually work up to thick strong pokers. The feat is much easier than it locks, 10,—RESISTING THE EFFORTS OF TWELVE MEN. In this feat, as in all others, you must commence lightly and gradually work up. Start with two or four men and see how long it takes you to work up to six men on each side. What you have to do is to resist the combined pull of twelve men. To do this have two ropes both with looped and padded ends which you must pass round the bend of your arm at the elbow. Then clasp your hands together on the chest, taking hold of a loop of rope. 23The men must be instructed not to jerk but to pull steadily, and you will find that it will not take long to get in the swing cf the thing, and to resist the combined efforts of from eight to twelve men. I once had a pupil who did this feat with two strong ponies, one on each side. “It is a splendid exercise and showy feat to lie down and regain upright position folding a | dumbbell overhead.” 24