CHAPTER XIII.THE COMBINED DEVELOPER.
After considerable experience and exhaustive experiments with rubber machines, I have succeeded in inventing one which allows of a combination of dumb-bell and rubber exercises.
Exclusive rubber exercise has not the effect of producing hard, firm, and supple muscles, therefore I have patented the detachable dumb-bell handles, which are simplicity itself.
This developer can be so regulated as to prove equally beneficial to a weak man as to myself.
From an economic point of view it stands alone, as at a small outlay a Developer can be purchased, which is sufficient for a whole family, and constitutes an entire athletic outfit.
The detachable rubbers and handles allow of the machine to be fixed up to any tension, so that as one becomes stronger, one has ample scope for gradually increasing one’s strength. The fatal drawback to the ordinary rubber exerciser is that it only proves beneficial up to a certain point, and then it is not sufficient to carry one any further. Consequently one has to make another outlay in purchasing a heavier machine. My Developer has been designed to obviate this, as it can be regulated up to any strength.
The machine is simply made and easily fixed, causing no damage to the door or wall to which it is attached. There being no pulleys, no oiling is required, and there is no friction to wear out the covering of the cords. Thus the Developer is very durable.
Charts, illustrating Chest Expander, Dumb-bell and Developer exercises, together with a pair of nickel-plated dumb-bells, are given free with each machine. The dumb-bells being detachable can be used separately for the exercises as prescribed in this book. The exercises are specially arranged by myself, introducing several of themovements in my system of development which cannot be properly executed on any other machine.
In the charts are included special exercises for strengthening the legs; many pupils have found this very beneficial.
The above illustration shows the Developer as a Rubber Exerciser, Chest Expander, and Dumb-bells.
The above illustration shows the Developer as a Rubber Exerciser, Chest Expander, and Dumb-bells.
The great value of the Developer lies in the fact that it serves to render the muscles pliable, and the whole body flexible and supple. Certain movements with it, too, are difficult to perform satisfactorily with dumb-bells alone. I recommend pupils to use the dumb-bells and complete Developer alternately; by this means I find the most satisfactory results are obtained. Exercise with the rubber Developer affords a welcome change from work with the dumb-bells.