The Way To Live

The Way to Live by George Hackenschmidt is one of the classic, and often quoted, books in any physical culturists library. The Russian Lion as he came to be known, or Hack, was a phenomenal strongman and wrestler. This book really comes in two parts, first the instructional, then the biographical and we'll deal with each in turn.

Hack was a all around strongmen as exemplified by his weightlifting feats and wrestling prowess. All of this required not only strength but agility and speed. One of the feats mentioned early in the book was turning a forward somersault with a pair of 50 lb. dumbbells in his hands. That sounds like something fun to try!

I. Introduction
II. Why Should we be Strong?
III. Adaptability and Characteristics
IV. Physical Perfection and Strength
V. Nutrition
VI. Rest and Wholesome Sleep
VII. Training
VIII. Exercise without Weights
IX. Muscle Exercises with Weights
X. Weights for Exercises
XI. Exercises for Athletes
XII. Time Tables for Training
XIII. Dr. von Krajewski, the Father of Athletics and his System of Life
XIV. The Story of My Life

Here are a few select quotes you'll find inside.

"Health can never be divorced from strength."

"I have come to the distinct conclusion, that the physical constitution of the human frame never was intended merely for study, but rather for manual and bodily exercise. I have found that those who have lived an active outdoor life have retained and enjoyed brightness born of health far longer than others."

"Never on any account continue the exercises until exhaustion sets in and always relax your muscles afterwards."

"Man is a creature of light and air, and I should therefore recommend little or no clothing when training."

"As a principal rule I should stipulate for regularity of training."

This is the only book ever written by Hackenschmidt. I guess with a title like The Way to Live he felt he have taught within a single volume all he needed to teach.