Building Up Strong and Shapely Legs

Most persons have more developed legs than theThe pressure exerted should be equal to that
arms since the legs are frequently exercised in arequired in climbing stairs or a steep slope. This
person's daily waking routine. But the mere exerciseexercise, if persistently and regularly prac¬ticed,
of walking will not develop the large muscles at thewill surely improve the symmetry of the legs. And it
front of the thighs and in the calves of the legs, orwill give one the ability to climb stairs or steep hills,
the "climbing muscles". Walking or running, may bringwhich cannot be acquired by the same amount of
those muscles into action, but does not place anywalking or ordinary gym running exercise. It should be
considerable tension upon them.practiced both with the left and the right feet.
The leg muscles of the runner are more elastic, andOtherwise the development will be unequal.
capable of more rapid action than are those of theIf the cord and pulley weight handle is inconvenient,
"athlete of the hills". But the former soon tires undersimply rest the ball of the foot against the
the strain of a steady climb, whatever his physicalfoot¬board of the bed and alternately press
condition may be, simply because he has notand re¬lax. Or here is still another and easier
developed the muscles then called into action.way - lying on your back or partially on the side,
This capability cannot be credited to natural ability butplace the ball of the left foot on the upper part or
to special training and exerted effort.toes of the right. Tense the muscles of this right leg
It may not catch everyone's attention when I sayand foot so that it may afford support. Then
that the exercise I designed will develop thesealternately press and relax with the left foot. Repeat
"climbing muscles". But when I'll say it can add to thethe exercises with the other leg.
proportionality of the legs, it will perhaps generateThe cord and pulley weight handle device is far more
interest. The build-up of the muscles on the thigh andeffective and can guarantee quicker development.
the calves relies deeply on the ball of the foot. AndBut the last two exercises can be practiced under all
the exercise I designed can be practiced while lying incircumstances and will ap¬peal to the members
bed.of the greatest organization on earth: the lazy
Attach to the foot of your bed a cord aboutpeople, of which the writer is a member and a good
1½-feet in length, attaching a pulley weightexample.
handle. Lying on your side, hold this handle then pressThe foremost reason why these exercises were
firmly against the foot¬board of the bed withdesigned is to get the desired development with
the ball of the foot, and alternately relax theminimal effort exerted. Some people may say it is a
pressure. This alternate pressure and relaxation willlazy man's system but it is mainly designed for people
actively exercise the muscles in question. It will alsoof more advanced age, who are not anymore fit
imitate the action of climbing, the leg being exercisedenough to undergo rigorous and strenuous exercises.
as such. And it will bring no strain or possible injuryJust the same, you are guaranteed that the
upon the heart - a danger ever imminent in hillexercises are remarkably effective. Finally, people of
climbing.all ages can use these exercises to great benefit.