item details
Overview
Eugen Sandow - 'physical culturalist'
This is an example of the exercise equipment patented and marketed by Eugen Sandow, an early 20th century 'physical culturalist'.
Sandow achieved international fame as the world's reputed first 'strong man' at a time when concerns about 'racial fitness' were rife.
He started his career as a sideshow strongman. Early on, he began building his muscles to the same proportions as those of the men in classical Greek and Roman art, and as part of his act he imitated their poses.
'The Sandow System' of exercise
Sandow was also an astute businessman and a passionate advocate of physical health. He developed a fitness regime that he called ‘The Sandow System’. He wrote books about it, published a magazine, and patented his own brand of equipment. In 1887, he opened his own fitness school in London - Sandow’s Institute of Physical Culture. In the summer of 1902-3, Sandow toured New Zealand for seven weeks as the star attraction in Mr Harry Rickard’s No. 3 Vaudeville Act. By that time, there were several Sandow Schools in the country, and his exercise equipment was available in several local stores.
A 'Complete Athletic Outfit'
Sandow's Developer includes a three month home exercise programme for the 'organically sound man of average physique', and equipment and charts for a series of chest, wall and body exercises.