EXERCISE FOR WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 88, 15 April 1899, Page 3 (Supplement)

EXERCISE FOR WOMEN.

'George Paston' writes on the advantage of exercise for women in the 'Lady's Realm' for February. It is now generally conceded, she says, that exercise is one of the necessities of existence, but it is not so commonly understood how the physical powers may best be cultivated. The type of middle aged woman, purple and plethoric, that disgraced her sex in the last century, has not wholly died out, but she has descended to the level of the lower middle classes, and even there has almost the effect of an anachronism. We travel with her by omnibus or underground sometimes, and rebel against the double allowance of space occupied by her unwieldy proportions. We have no pity for her helplessness or shortness of breath, for we recognise in her the product of culpable indolence and self indulgence, Of sedentary habits, stuffy rooms, and heavy mid day dinners. The most common forms of exercise taken by womep nowadays, walking and cycling, develop the muscles of the legs and of the .

LOWER PARTS OF THE BODY, but are of little use for the arms or the muscles of the upper part of the body. The evil results of these partiaWmethods of exercise may be gathered by a Visit to any exhibition of modern pictures, and an examination of the portraits of women in evening dress. In every case the arm is represented as a stiff, feeble looking limb, covered with soft, and flaccid flesh. The biceps are faintly indicated, the triceps not at all. In a word the muscle, upon whose condition the firmness and beauty of the flesh depends is not 'alive.' I quit© admit that there is not much aesthetic charm in the abnormally developed arm of a professional 'strong woman,' but I maintain there is still less charm in the arms, practically crippled through disuse, that are to be seen in the portraits of fashionable " women. A properly developed woman should at lease be able to support her own weight, and while hanging from a bar, should be able easily to draw herself upwards until her chin is above the level of the bar. If she cannot do this, her arms are not of much more use to her than if they were made of kid and

STUFFED WITH SAWDUST. In the gymnasium We find the opportunity of taking scientifically regulated exercise, combined with all the amusement of the childish games which wo very mistakenly put away With other childish things when we come to Woman's estate. With the help of ropes and bars and swings we can indulge in a very fair imitation of our childish romps, and we do so with the comfortable conviction that we are fulfilling a' duty, and not wasting our time. If we have persuaded friends to join US, our pleasure is enhanced by congenial companionship; there are also the strenuous joys of emulation, and the generous admiration of another's prowess. Music adds to our enjoyment," and our costume alone is enough to ensure high spirits for the time being, allowing as it aoes full liberty of limb.