RESULTANT BAD EFFECTS FROM THE USE OF HEAVY APPARATUS, WEIGHTS AND TOO STRENUOUS EXERCISES
Something similar to what happened to the frog that
wanted to be as large as the ox occurs in many a young man,
who begins to exercise with heavy apparatus and weights in
order to develop his muscles. Usually in the first or second
month there will be a marked increase of development of the
muscles and believing that this relative development will continue,
he becomes over-enthusiastic and works so vigorously
that he suffers from his mistake. Then, if the exercises are
suddenly stopped and not gradually decreased, and if the poisonous
substances and fatigue matter accumulated in the muscles
are not removed by massage, the result will be muscles that
are too hard and too stiff, with the accompanying ill effects.
Such exercises also place too great a strain upon the nerves,
heart and other organs of the body. The energy it demands
ought to be put to a better purpose; as Jules Claretie of the
Theatre Francais in Paris aptly said, when discussing some
rough sport, "Think though about other things."
Most apparatus used for exercise acts too artificially.
Because a person possesses great muscular strength, it does not necessarily follow that his organs and nerves have a proportionate strength and vitality. Many noteworthy examples of this falacy may be cited. Thus, for instance, Ellegaard, known as one of the best cycle riders in the world, some fifteen years ago, was rejected as a soldier. John L. Sullivan, the boxer, died of a weak heart. Les Darcy, the boxer from Australia, who was to have fought Jess Willard, succumbed
