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How to join a gym... 1950s and '60s-style

Thinking of kickstarting an exercise regime? Try not to be put off by these ancient ads.

WEIGHTLIFTING FOR WOMEN and saunas for the boys. The attractions of the gyms of the 1950s and 1960s don’t seem much different from those being marketed to us at this time of year.

But there is still something a little… off… about these gym demos, no?

Maybe it’s the VibroMassage machine from this 1960s push for men’s gyms:

image

Or is it this terribly saucy demo of strength-training from the 1950s (for both sexes)?

imageimage

Videos: British Pathé/Youtube

We don’t feel well.

Are you vowing to join a gym this January?


Poll Results:

I already am a gym member (1259)
Not after those videos I'm not (1176)
No (460)
Yes (61)

Column: The rise of bodybuilding shows strong is the new skinny>
Sweat, phones and keeping your clothes on: 18 rules of gym etiquette>

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Author
Susan Daly
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