Thread by @marinamaral2

Thread: let's take a look at some bizarre exercise equipment created by Gustav Zander in the Victorian Era. If you want to try these, suits and corsets are mandatory.

First: This will train your balance and pelvis at the same time as counteracting constipation and haemorrhoids.

"Come and get your stomach kneaded!"

"For those who are unable – or who don’t dare – to get up on horseback, this apparatus vibrates the rider’s body."

"Are you nervous, or do you struggle with constipation? You’ll find that this vibrating massage machine will work wonders!"

"Has the day at school left you a little tired and stiff? With a little torso-stretching, you’ll soon feel revitalised."

"Your sides will get a thorough stretching in this diagonal-suspension apparatus."

"It may look like a velvet-topped dining room table, but you can realign imbalances in your muscles, skeleton and joints with this side-pressing apparatus."

"Time for some strengthening arm-circling – dressed in corsets and long skirts, of course – to increase the mobility of shoulder joints."

"Step into the trunk-measuring apparatus and map the contours of your torso and the bends of your spine."

"In this elegant chest-expanding machine, you can raise your pulse by increasing the flow of blood to the lungs."

"Is this something from Count Dracula’s torture chamber? No, it’s just a device for realigning your ribcage."

"The old-fashioned form of core-training was performed with this fancy pelvis-twisting apparatus, made of wood with velvet trim."

"Exercises to flex the forearm, in waistcoat and suit. This is now more commonly known as bicep training, which is one of the most popular muscle groups to work on."

"Like a cook with his meatballs, by Zander we are formed,chopped, twisted and rolled, his wonders performed. We’re not here for comfort, as we meekly recline, to be pounded and prodded, on the stomach and spine."

"Lean back and feel the benefits of a circular massage to the lower abdomen."

Source: Tekniska museet