Every decade ushers in a new “revolutionary” exercise fad (or three). But as Mr. America, Mark Adams’s new biography, points out, most of them probably owe a nod to Bernarr Macfadden and his magazine Physical Culture.
BODYBUILDING
The Legend: Muscle-man Charles Atlas created the first home strength course in 1922.
Except That: Macfadden — who had been selling mail-order exercise plans for two decades — discovered Atlas at his “World’s Most Handsome Man” competition in 1921.
PILATES
The Legend: Joseph Pilates popularized core training in the ’30s and ’40s as Broadway stars and dancers with soft midsections flocked to his New York City studio.
Except That: Macfadden published the Encyclopedia of Physical Culture, with more than 100 pages devoted to firming up back and abdominal muscles, in 1912.
AEROBICS
The Legend: Kenneth Cooper published Aerobics in 1968 — against prevailing medical wisdom that a raised pulse rate was bad for the heart.
Except That: In 1919, Macfadden wrote about the need for heart patients to exercise. When President Eisenhower suffered a heart attack in 1955, Macfadden advised him to ignore any doctors who prescribed rest.
YOGA
The Legend: Fitness went multicultural in the early ’90s with yoga.
Except That: Physical Culture published tai chi articles starting in 1902 and its first yoga article — including poses — in 1931.
CROSSFIT
The Legend: Cutting-edge CrossFit regime promises to boost not only athletic ability but general wellness by combining various sports disciplines.
Except That: Most of its ideas — and many more — appeared in Mac-fadden’s 1915 classic Vitality Supreme.
(Mr. America; $25)
This article originally appeared in the April 2009 issue of Men’s Journal.
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