Fitness, Grace, Health & Beauty

Book excerpt: Featuring 102 articles (123,000 words) written by more than 50 women from 1882 to 1900, this volume of the Sports She Wrote series highlights the role of physical fitness in beauty, health, posture, grace, hygiene, weight reduction, muscle-building and overall well-being. More than 85 illustrations demonstrate the exercise regimens, diets, fads, methods and equipment used by Victorian Era women, presenting a variety of theories and personalities that shaped the physical culture of the time. The eternal quest for beauty takes center stage in this collection, with a notable emphasis on the aesthetic effects of exercise on a woman’s ideal body shape, complexion and improved health. Stretching and the poetry of motion in dance movements are key components. Fencing was practiced for its contribution to coordination and calisthenic benefits. Spa days served the same rejuvenating functions as they do in modern times. Renowned columnists include Mme. Hygeia, Penelope Powelson, Shirley Dare, Diana Crossways and Annie Jenness Miller, offering advice on posture, walking, fashion, weight loss and maintaining youthfulness. Actresses Pauline Hall and Lillian Russell share insights into their personal diet and exercise routines, underscoring the pursuit of a slender figure for their theatrical careers. While physical strength was a primary objective, exemplified by strongwomen Charmion and Madame Yucca, the goal was not on excessive muscle mass as in modern bodybuilding. Charmion's renowned vaudeville trapeze act, blending strength and beauty, captivated audiences worldwide, while Madame Yucca, dubbed “The Female Sandow,” epitomized strength and athleticism in her performances. Additional related articles are available in the following volumes of the Sports She Wrote series: Diana’s Fitness, Fashion & Beauty; 7 Exercise Manuals; Physical Education & Culture; and Adelia Brainerd, The Outdoor Woman of Harper’s Bazar. Sports She Wrote is a 31-volume time-capsule of primary documents written by more than 500 women in the 19th century