In the decades following the American Civil War, reformers championed the explosion of public gymnasiums and fitness centres in cities all across the country. In the opinion of many reformers, being truly fit was not only of physical value, but wa......

In the decades following the American Civil War, reformers championed the explosion of public gymnasiums and fitness centres in cities all across the country. In the opinion of many reformers, being truly fit was not only of physical value, but wa......