Health and Wellness–Then and Now

Just for fun I recently went through my collection of vintage magazines—some of my favorites, the Strength and Health magazines from the 1940s. I love reading them on occasion. Many things have changed in the health and fitness industry since then, and yet, much remains the same.

Check this out, in the December 1942 Issue, page 3, Editorial by Bob Hoffman. The title is How Old Are You? In the editorial, Mr. Hoffman asks his readers, Do you measure your age by the calendar or by how you feel and the way you look?

He recommended that you forget the calendar age and keep the mind and body young through exercise, keeping active and surround yourself with like-minded people. Be youthful in mind, body, and spirit. Be moderate in all things and respect your body. Don’t worry; he states that’s the best way to live a hundred years. Eat moderately, under happy and contented conditions.

Avoid becoming grouchy.

He also asked, How long should you live? How many of your later years should you enjoy life? He states you should work to have the power and endurance to back up your enjoyment. Mr. Hoffman’s advice to his readers is that training with weights is the best form of insurance you could practice; the best way to make you super healthy and make you live longer.

What Mr. Hoffman stated 78 years ago is still true today, exercise with weights, good healthy nutrition, and mindset skills are the focus of fit and healthy people who want to live and enjoy a long healthy, happy life!

Flipping through these 1940 Strength and Health magazines, rarely will you find mention or see a photo of a woman. I found a short spotlight sent in by a reader. Bob wanted to recognize Wanda Kupin from Pittsburg, PA. She’s 5’5” and weighs 130 pounds.

He bragged on her lifting clean 150 pounds, squats with 180 pounds, deadlift 285, and can raise 305 from the floor. WOWZA, I say! Today women are predominant across all sports to include weightlifting and bodybuilding. Now, women are in health and fitness magazines all over the world. We have come a long way, baby!

The price of barbells and dumbbells jumped off the page at me. Back in 1940, you could buy a 200-pound Hercules Health and Strength Building Outfit for $24.80 and a 300-pound Hercules set for $32.50.

These sets included the bar and a full set of various size plates. A competitor, York Victory Barbells set cost $10.00, which included four of each plate and the handles. A 70-pound set total. York 200 Pound Victory Barbell would cost you $19.30. Today’s prices are about $1.00 to $2.00 a pound just for the weights.

If you have been shopping for gym equipment since March 2020, when the gyms closed, you know all too well the demand.

Here’s one that grabbed my attention. I saw an ad the other day for a shoe that you could clip weights on to the bottom to perform leg extensions, replacing the machine at the gym. These Iron Boots have been around a long time. Back in the 1940’s you could pick up a pair for $5.00. If you are in the market today on eBay, you can find vintage Iron Boots starting at $40.00.

For giggles, let’s look at something unusual. In 1940 you could buy a device for Teeth Lifting. They claim it will build up your neck and jaw strength. When you placed your order, you were to mail in a piece of soft cardboard with your teeth impression in it. They custom made the device just for you. It came with a chain and hook for a low price of $2.50.

Oh, one last detail, it will hold over 500 pounds! I’ve worked in the dental industry since the ’70s and found this fascinating. I must add, never once did we recommend this device to patients.

It’s fun to look back and see how far we have come. I’m grateful to all those who paved the way in the health and fitness world. From crazy gadgets to the basics, somethings change, but the basics stay the same.

Here at the K Factor, we are Certified in and teach the Body for Life. This program was written by Bill Phillips 20 years ago. It worked then, and it works today. It is proven to be safe, efficient, and effective over time.

Contact us today for your FREE consultation and trial session. We’ll teach you, guide you, and be your support system all the way!