THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS 



sets of muscles to perform their function over and over 

 that perfunctory development of these muscles is 

 effected. 



It appears, therefore, that physical development in 

 its essence is simplicity itself. Any motion that causes 

 a muscle to contract against moderate resistance ex- 

 ercises that muscle and causes it to develop. Any- 

 one by using common-sense may devise for himself 

 exercises that will develop the weaker muscles of his 

 body, though he be profoundly ignorant of anatomy. 

 Remembering that all bodily movements are caused by 

 muscles contracting on their long axis, he has only to 

 make such experimental movements as seem likely to 

 bring particular sets of muscles into play, and if suc- 

 cessful the muscles of the part in question will be felt to 

 swell and harden. Repeat the movement over and over, 

 and you develop the desired muscles. 



It is not even necessary to have apparatus of any 

 kind whatever. Quite as good exercises as dumbbells 

 or Indian clubs or pulley machines can give may be 

 devised by merely clasping the hands together in various 

 attitudes, and attempting to move one hand firmly, 

 while the other hand is made to as firmly resist such 

 movement. As a single illustration, clasp the hands 

 together in front of the chest, and alternately press 

 them firmly together (as if putting on a very tight glove) 

 and pull them against one another as if trying to sep- 

 arate them. Neither hands, arms, nor shoulders need 

 change their position more than a fraction of an inch 

 during this procedure, and yet almost every muscle of 

 the arms, shoulders, and chest is vigorously exercised. 



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