As far as I'm concerned excercise of any kind is silly, but as you can see, the physical regimes of yesteryear are falling-down funny.

These pictures are from MacFadden's seventh edition, published in 1926 (the first edition came out in 1911), subtitled "A work of reference, providing complete instructions for the cure of all diseases through physcultopathy, with general information on natural methods of health-bulding and a description of the anatomy and physiology of the human body." Phew!

Chapters include "Exercises and How to Use Them," " Building a Powerful Physique," "Physical Training for Women," "Dancing as an Art and as an Exercise," "Vocal Culture," and "Beauty and How to Attain It" (directed only at women) which contains this useful advice:

This book came with the dried flowers seen on the left pressed between its pages.