Page:How to Get Strong (1899).pdf/67

 these cannot readily be changed. Perhaps not quite so readily; but actual trial will show that the difficulty is largely imaginary. To many, indeed to most women, the idea is absolutely new; and they never supposed such change possible. But why so, when here and there all over our land skilled physical directors are building up, in barely an hour each day for one short year, here a thin arm, there a poor neck; here a weak back, there a flat chest; turning out in-turning feet; and substituting blooming cheeks for a dried-apple skin? Indeed in many cases are turning a weak woman into a tower of strength.

But is great and unusual strength, especially of the arms, desirable in most women? Not at all. If these could and did thus lay in such a stock of strength and vigor; and others of whom we do not hear are quietly doing the same thing; they are doing more by far than would be needed to make most women, not as strong as acrobats and performers; but—a far more important matter—reasonably and comfortably so; sufficiently to keep nervous disorders away; to enable them to be far better equal to the daily duties; and to spend life with an appreciation and zest too often unknown by the weak woman; finally, to preserve for a woman the bloom and healthy look and charm which once in a while she sees—but only once in a while—even in a woman of advanced years; and which would be her own in her later life if she uses the means to have it.

And what should a woman do to get this health and strength and bloom? Just what is done by the young girl. Indeed, there are a hundred exercises; almost any of which, faithfully followed up, would help directly to bring the desired result. With her, as with girl or man or boy, the first thing is to symmetrize; to bring