Top of page

Category: 18th Century

First Division school class exercising with barbells in schoolyard, Washington, D.C.

Club-Swinging for a New You!

Posted by: Amanda Zimmerman

During the 19th century in both England and America, physical fitness became an important aspect of structured health and education programs. In 1880, recognizing the public's growing interest in the use of dumbbells and clubs, New York City champion strongman Guss Hill (1858 – 1937) made his publishing debut with an early exercise book.