GYMNASTICS (Lat. gymnasticus, from Gk. yugvacrrucbs, gymnastikos, relating to athletic ex ercises, from -yutocirew, gymnazein, to train). Indoor exercises for the development of physiques by the aid of suitable appliances. A room or building set apart for such purposes, and fur nished with the requisite appliances and para phernalia, is termed a gymnasium. In the train ing and development of the athlete, indoor exer cises occupy a position of paramount importance; indeed, supremacy in field sports, or outdoor games, is rarely possible unless the progressively systematic exercises of the gymnasium are made a part of the training. The preeminence which classical antiquity gave to systematic training, and which resulted in the physically magnificent specimens of humanity common to the Greek games and Roman gladiatorial combats, became lost to the world with the decay of those na tions. Gymnastics as practiced to-day may be said to date from the middle of the nineteenth century, and to be a product or result of modern life and conditions. The increasing number of densely populated cities, the stress of industrial conditions requiring a correspondingly complex and exacting mental or technical preparatory education, as well as a lifetime spent under con ditions frequently injurious to good physical health or development, have all contributed to render the practice of gymnastics an absolute necessity to the individual, and a subject of serious importance to the nation at large.
At the beginning of the twentieth century it is an important feature of the educational system of every nation in the world, receiving its origi nal impetus in Europe, but reaching its highest development thus far in America. Gymnastic exercises may be divided into three general classes: (1) Free gymnastics, under which is included every exercise that is performed with out apparatus; (2) Calisthenics, under which are included exercises with dumb-bells, Indian clubs, wands, etc.; and (3) Gymnastics proper, by which is meant every exercise in which the body is the resistance moved, and in the execution of which a fixed apparatus is necessary. Indiscriminate gymnastic exercises are rarely beneficial, and frequently injurious, if indulged in by any one who is not qualified by physical capacity, or who has not the knowledge or experience necessary for profitable practice. A physical examination is always a wise preliminary to a course of work in the gymnasium, and where possible a system of exercise should be outlined which will be within the physical capacity of the student, and at the same time beneficial to his physical con dition and general health. A physical director
or instructor in gymnastics is now a regular officer in every well-equipped modern gymna sium; and his presence is the more indispensable when the fact is borne in mind that while some particular muscle or group of muscles may be developed by one form of exercise, another exer cise may result in stiffened joints. In a well arranged system the exercises are such as will gradually develop the athlete from a condition of weakness to one of long endurance, producing powerful muscles and general suppleness of body. Gymnastic exercises, moreover, play an equally important part in the general health of the body by helping the system to throw off its waste material, improving the circulation of the blood, and promoting growth by feeding new material to all parts of the body, thus supplying the entire system with exactly what its needs de mand.
In order to make the gymnasium a popular institution, and supply a needful variation in its work, the different exercises are usually ar ranged with a view to making them as entertain ing and amusing as possible, the monotonous drills of dumb-bells, Indian clubs,• ete.,, being performed to music. An important principle is that gymnastic exercises, if they are to be of permanent benefit, shall be practiced every day; but where this is not possible, some of the exer cises of free gymnastics will be found particular ly profitable. After each period of exercise a short rest should be taken, or if the heart gives .signs of being distressed, the gymnast should gradually reduce the severity of his drill by milder exercises, rather than cease work sudden ly. Heavy gymnastic exercises should never be gin nor stop suddenly, and in any case should not be continued beyond the first slight sense of fatigue. Authorities are all agreed that the best time for exercise is as follows: For school children, during the intermission between studies; for adults, the morning hours from 10 to 12 when possible; and for those whose occupations will not permit any daytime exercise, the hours from 8 to 10 o'clock in the evening are considered more helpful than any hour before 7 in the morning. Care should he taken, however, that when exercising at night a sufficient period should elapse before going to bed, in order that the ex citement incident to the exercise may have sub sided. Gymnastic. exercises should never be at tempted ' liately before or after meals.