Way to Live

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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.

George Hackenschmidt: The Russian Lion - "Back in an age when ... few if any Far Eastern Masters of Martial arts were known to the rest of the World. ... One man in particular, a master of his own most ancient fighting skill, ... possessed the same qualities ... to be recognized {by} Japanese/Chinese martial arts masters ... He had the total formula for combat domination, winning over 3000 bouts between 1889 and 1908. That man, George Hackenschmidt was destined to become famous throughout the World and take his place in fighting arts history as THE RUSSIAN LION and unlike many of his opponents and contempary wrestlers, 'Hack' was never mean, vindictive or unnecessarily rough in his wrestling bouts, contrasting his physical prowess and fighting skills with a quietness of spirit. George Hackenschmidt was the epitome of calm, self-assurance and inner peace, with full awareness of his own capabilities and thus like all masters of combat found NO NEED FOR MACHOISM or outward aggression. His tactic to win was skill and speed, born of confidence in his own ability and fighting prowess. He spoke softly, so that you were forced to listen and pay attention, rather than raise his voice to be heard. His serenity was 'catching', calming all those in attendance at his lectures...and it was a developed calmness. A true warrior has to struggle and EARN the wisdom to do battle, with not only his adversities, but with LIFE ITSELF. Of German/Swedish descent,(which accounts for his un Russian name) the fighting legend Georges Karl Julius Hackenschmidt (aka Hack or The Russian Lion) was born 2nd August 1878, or using the older style Russian calendar July 20th 1872, at Dorpat in Estonia. Genetically favored from his grandfather's physique, he soon excelled at gymnastics, athletics and weight lifting. Beginning a career in the oldest martial art of all, wrestling. which was to bring him a fortune and enduring fame". - David Gentle