Parents who desire to see their little ones grow into well-developed men and women may be advised to buy their babies light wooden dumb-bells as playthings. The exercises themselves, of course, should not be attempted until the child has reached the age of six or seven. Parents especially would do well to remember, as has already been said, that the tables are only intended as a guide, and they should exercise their own discretion with regard to the weight of bells used by their children, and the number of times the exercises should be done. In some cases a girl or boy of ten years may be so delicate as to have no more strength than a more sturdy child two or three years younger; in such cases the table for the younger child should be adhered to. From that age onwards be guided in the amount of practice by the tables. In order that every reader may understand the exercises easily, the leading muscles only are mentioned in the chart.
Pupils should guard against over-exertion; and, above all things, should not exercise violently. It will be found convenient to let each arm (not both arms) move once in a second. Thus, for example, the time of ten movements with each arm of the first exercise would be twenty seconds. As a general rule, this time will be found to give just the exercise that is needed. Faster movements are not recommended for either young or old. Be careful also not to jerk the movements. Always exercise easily and gracefully, and when contracting the muscles take care not to hold the breath. Many pupils are inclined to do this unconsciously when bringing their minds to bear upon the muscles, but it is quite wrong, and the tendency must be striven against until it is overcome. In one or two exercises, as will be seen on the chart, there are special instructions with regard to the breath; in all the others the breathing should be perfectly natural.
Table 1.
For Children of Both Sexes
Between the Ages of Seven and Ten.
(Using one pound dumb-bells only.)
When the maximum has been reached, the child should continue to use the same weight bells and the same spring in the “Grip” dumb-bell until it arrives at the age at which it can follow Table No. 2, and so on with the other tables.
| No. of Exercise. (See Chart.) | No. of Movements with each arm. | Increase of Movements. (Not to exceed 30 for No. 1, and other Exercises in proportion.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | One every three days. |
| 2 | 5 | ” |
| 3 | 5 | ” |
| 4 | 4 | One every five days. |
| 5 | 4 | ” |
| 6 | 10 | One every three days. |
| 7 | 6 | One every five days. |
| Exercises 8, 9, and 10 are not advised for young children. | ||
| 11 | 5 | One every five days. |
| 12 | 5 | ” |
| 13 | 1 | One every fortnight. |
| 14 | 5 | One every three days. |
| 15 | 3 | One every fortnight. |
| 16 (boys only) | 3 | ” |
| 17 | 10 | One every three days. |
| 18 | 10 | ” |
Table 2.
For Children of Both Sexes
Between the Ages of Ten and Twelve.