Category Archives: Physical Culture

“A Hove Gymnasium: Mr. Percy S. Rolt’s Successful System” (Brighton Gazette, September 21, 1912)

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Bartitsu Society

In December of 2017 we were pleased to publish an article confirming former Bartitsu Club member Percy Rolt as the “missing link” between the Bartitsu Club and Indian Police Superintendant Herbert Gordon Lang’s 1923 book “The ‘Walking Stick’ Method of … Continue reading →

Posted in Antagonistics, Bartitsu School of Arms, Boxing, Canonical Bartitsu, Editorial, Fencing, Jiujitsu, Mysteries, Physical Culture, Savate, Vigny stick fighting | Comments Off on “A Hove Gymnasium: Mr. Percy S. Rolt’s Successful System” (Brighton Gazette, September 21, 1912)

The Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame in Belfast, NY

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Bartitsu Society
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The Oldest Gym in America?

Posted on December 29, 2020 by Bartitsu Society

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Tuesday, 21st April 2009  Among the interests of the Bartitsu Society is the study of 19th century physical culture; the panoply of diverse exercise systems that were practiced in public and private gymnasia throughout … Continue reading →

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“A Fight in the Gymnasium”

Posted on December 28, 2020 by Bartitsu Society

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Thursday, 29th September 2011 A curious illustration of unknown provenance, presumably from a circa 1900 book or “Boy’s Own” magazine story. Either the fellow in the red shirt is far stronger than he … Continue reading →

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“Art of Manliness” Guide to Basic Indian Club Swinging

Posted on December 27, 2020 by Bartitsu Society

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 19th March 2012

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The Bartitsu School of Arms 2012 in Text, Video and Images

Posted on December 27, 2020 by Bartitsu Society

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Sunday, 16th September 2012 The second annual Bartitsu School of Arms and Physical Culture was a three-day conference and training seminar held in Chicago between September 7-9, 2012. The event was hosted by … Continue reading →

Posted in Antagonistics, Bartitsu School of Arms, Boxing, Canonical Bartitsu, Jiujitsu, Physical Culture, Savate, Seminars, Sparring, Video, Vigny stick fighting | Comments Off on The Bartitsu School of Arms 2012 in Text, Video and Images

Protecting History: Vandalism at the Historic Hegeler-Carus Mansion Gymnasium

Posted on December 26, 2020 by Bartitsu Society

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Saturday, 2nd February 2013 The Hegeler-Carus Mansion in the town of La Salle, Illinois, contains what is believed to be the oldest preserved residential gymnasium in the United States. As the only known remaining example of … Continue reading →

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Exercising on Board the Titanic

Posted on December 26, 2020 by Bartitsu Society

Courtesy of 3Dhistory.de, a colourised image of the on-board gymnasium of the ill-fated RMS Titanic. As a physical culture enthusiast, it’s likely that former Bartitsu Club member Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon would have made use of this gym prior to the night of April … Continue reading →

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The Forteza Gymuseum

Posted on December 26, 2020 by Bartitsu Society

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Wednesday, 27th March 2013 The Gymuseum at the Forteza Fitness and Martial Arts studio in Ravenswood, Chicago is a unique “living museum” collection of antique physical culture apparatus, mostly dating from the period 1880-1910. Many of the … Continue reading →

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Indian Clubs in “Doctor Who”

Posted on December 26, 2020 by Bartitsu Society

Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 31st May 2013 The malicious minions of the evil Mrs. Gillyflower (Dame Diana Rigg) wield Indian clubs as weapons in this nicely-researched scene from the Doctor Who episode, The Crimson Horror. In reality, Indian clubs … Continue reading →

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