Comments on: Old School Workout: Daily Exercises for Young Men From 1883

By: Curt

Curt — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:25:58 +0000

Great article. It’s always great to ready articles about simple yet effective ways to train. Some other exercises I like from the ‘past’ are: Good Mornings, Hack Squats, and Kettlebell Swings.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:20:55 +0000

I like the fact that its quick. I don’t work out to get huge anymore, but to envigorate my body in the morning. It pulls me out of that zombie phase quicker than a shower or anything and then I feel great the rest of the day.

By: LB

LB — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:22:11 +0000

I’ve been doing these exercises for the past few days, and I’ve already noticed improvements in movement, flexibility, stamina and strength. Admittedly I’ve been starting at a much lower base due to pre-existing fitness levels, and using lighter weights, but it is so much easier to actually get exercise done when I don’t have to go to some damned gym.
Much more manly, I think, using only ones body and a set of dumbbells. I don’t want bodybuilder type muscle size anyway, it has always struck me as unnecessary (one of the strongest men I know is almost a waif, metalworker by trade) and incredibly vulgar.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:07:58 +0000

All: I’d like to share workouts, specifically those involving a KettleBell (16kg)
I have files to share as well.

Thx

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:52:38 +0000

@ Redrum: walk 5 miles at 4 miles per hour, so walk 5 miles in an hour and 15 minutes.

By: Redrum

Redrum — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:12:47 +0000

What is a 5 mile walk at a 4 mile pace?

By: Gentlerider

Gentlerider — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:30:57 +0000

On returning home, by bicycle, totaling 5 miles at a brisk pace (half hour), I braced myself, stripped off my clothes and lifted one-fifteenth (30lb dumbells, each of about).
I did them of my own order and started the whole routine off with pushups. I found it challenging, especially number 3 (barely could I complete 10), since I am not even sure I did it of a right way. I was imitating the photo. I consider myself to be of vigorous shape having regularly lifted, cycled, scrambled, calistheticised and played tennis.

By: Marc

Marc — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:31:19 +0000

I like doing some morning exercise for 20-30 minutes or so, (especially in the winter time). I like body-weight exercises, jogging on the spot, jumping jacks, etc.

But most of the year I use simple bicycle commuting to get a work out. Its a half hour ride at a brisk pace (5.5 miles) to my work on my old commuter bike. I do this most days of the week eight months of the year. When I lived closer, I walked to work and back. Many men could be much fitter if they got to work using human power. Saves time of going to the gym. I then can do muscle-toning stuff in the evenings or go for a nice long walk with my dog. Or my family and I go to the pool for a swim.

Many opportunities to stay fit….more opportunites than exuses I say.

By: Zach B

Zach B — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:56:25 +0000

@Jackie Treehorn

You hold the dumbbells at your sides – and you DO bend your knees. It’s a weighted deadlift/squat.

By: Jackie_Treehorn

Jackie_Treehorn — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:28:00 +0000

I don’t understand #2. How am I supposed to lift the weights without bending my arms or my knees?

By: Phillip

Phillip — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:17:43 +0000

I’m sorry to say, but most of these exercises are either not veyr functional, not safe, or done with so little weight as to be of much service. If you want to make maximum gains with very few exercises and equipment, use a kettebell or dumbbell of sufficient weight, and perform 5 sets of 5-10 kettlebell/dumbbell swings, perform 5 sets of pulls ups, and then 5 sets of kettlebell/dumbbell,standing over head press. You’ll work a large majority of your muscles, and work on developing some power, and if you do it in a circuit, you’ll be done in about 15 minutes and get cardio benefits too

By: MIKEY

MIKEY — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:12:56 +0000

“leafs and loins” okay I know what a loin is… but not sure what a leaf is… and hey guys notice this workout is addressed specifically to “youth”… nevertheless even an old fossil like myself could probably do this one… not as quick as i useta be… but doable!

here’s one i haven’t tried yet:

60 jumping jacks
10-15 spiderman pushups
10-15 walking lunges each leg
10-15 spiderman climbs
squat hold on wall 45 seconds
plank hold 60 seconds
burpees (til you drop i guess)
run in place with high knees 25 per side
rest 60 secs do 2X more… then run 2.0 miles… or as many as you can hu-manly can stand..

for stamina and more of a mental exercise… i get on a treadmill set it at 8mph and do that for that 3 minutes without stopping… work like a dog, sweat like a pig, suffer like a saint!

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:26:54 +0000

@ACTUALLYLIFTSREALWEIGHT: Sure, workout technology has improved over time, but done swiftly with low weight (“one-fifteenth his own weight” is a good start) and good form, this would actually be a good overall cardio/endurance workout, a la the CrossFit “girls.”

Then, taking these same moves but subtracting reps and adding weight, they could be done for strength. Alternate the two types of workouts and the run, and you almost have a complete routine.

By: Zach B

Zach B — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:50:19 +0000

@Nik: Thank you, sir. Excellent observation. I tell you what though: either way, the movement will light up your upper back!

@Eric: Thank you for your comments. Different strokes for different folks.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:40:32 +0000

I enjoyed the article, but comments are always more entertaining. Please notice that wieght lifting evovles as do other aspects of life. In the late 18 and early 1900s, stamina was a more important part of life than impressive lifts with few reps. (Not eveyone likes bulk in modern life, too.) A good basic routine, but like diets and interests, work outs need to be custom designed to make the individual happy.