8.21.2012

1943 workout

Photobucket

A few months ago my mother got me the book "Personality Unlimited", a perfect self improvement guide from 1943. The photos of the exercises are what I found most appealing, and imagine my surprise when I looked and they were by the Nina Leen (she joined Life Magazine in 1945, love her work!). 

Not only are the photos by a legendary photographer, but can we just talk about how cute these girls are? I mean, my hair totally looks that perfect when I work out. Yours does too right? 

Also, swimsuit with socks and keds. It's cute. Let's bring it back. 
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
...maybe don't try that one... Photobucket
Photobucket

23 comments:

art deco dame said...

I love Keds!I only wish my hair looked so good when working out.

Maejean Vintage said...

Lol, they are so cute!

Thanks for sharing :-)

Sarah said...

:D Love these, especially the one under the door-hanging photo. The look on her face is so cute (and the exercise so bizarre... the old "pretend to be Superman and yet simultaneously restrict oneself" exercise)
x

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love these. hanging on the door in a swimsuit. I love the little diving girl on the bottom of the keds woman's swim suit. Thank you for sharing :)

Romance Dame said...

Awesome photos! Love what they're wearing too.
The first photo reminds me of that famous Marilyn Monroe swimsuit pose :)

susie said...

That one with the door is too funny! I love that this was "working out" in 1943. Nothing like the tanned, hard bodies you see in the gym today, but of course I think these girls are much prettier.

Sarah Dee said...

I agree! These girls are adorable!

xoxo Sarah
theantiquepearl.blogspot.com

My Kinda Vintage said...

Love it! These pics will inspire me to wear lipstick when working out.

Vintagesuburbia said...

That really brought a smile to my face and made my day, thanks so much. I am a bit of a 'gym junkie' (Australian speak for someone who works out a lot), which I have to be as I love food and wine and ALSO 26inch waist 50s dresses! But I can tell you, no one would want to take a photo of me working out - I go beetroot red in the face. Not a good look. But these girls are adorable!!

Witchcrafted Life said...

So fun! Why go to a gym when you can look this cute and have such a blast working out at home?


♥ Jessica

K.J. V. said...

My grandmother, 85, still does all of those exercises! She must have read this book!! Yeah she even did that door one until like ten years ago!

Unknown said...

Oh, I could just see me now, hanging from my door. It would definitely come off its hinges. lol

Denise
retrogran.blogspot.com

Story Tellers Vintage said...

I just love some of the facial expressions...makes working out look so fun :) Thanks for sharing!

Sarah said...

Oh I love this!

Anonymous said...

Keds and socks… so adorable!
Why is she hanging off the door?!

Martha said...

I have the cutest book by Betty Cornell (1951), called "Betty Cornell's Teen-Age Popularity Guide," and her exercises are just stretches. I mean, at least you have to hang onto the door in this one! ;D

Janice said...

I love these! We still use the first exercise in jiu jitsu as part of our grappling drills.

Wildfell Hall Vintage said...

not sure about the high waist shorts cutting in as you bend over...looks a bit stiff! ha! I am enjoying her hanging off that doorway in the floral number, amazing!

Nikki @ Penelope Cat Vintage said...

These are adorable but I can't get over that door-hanging move. It looks quite complex too. Pretty sure our doors couldn't take the strain!

Nikki x

Unknown said...

love love love these. so very much. Cant get over how much vintage is beautiful. Im new to this whole blogthing but I am loving findings blogs like these. xx kaz xo

Anna said...

If you haven't seen the '39 film The Women, you absolutely must. It contains two scenes of society ladies doing the most absurd work outs in cute outfits no less.

debra mejia said...

I love these photos and the fact they are all working out in pretty makeup too!

Unknown said...

These photos are adorable! They remind me of the all the beautiful Strongwomen from the early 20th century. For instance, Charmion, as early as 1901 was doing feats of strength on a trapeze, while stripping (her act was commissioned by her biggest fan, Thomas Edison)! Vulcana and Katie Sandwina are other great examples of fancy-lady-fitness... but my all-time favorite is Joan Rhodes (she rose to popularity in the 50s) and her burlesque act, Iron Lady in a Velvet Glove: http://youtu.be/TsJuHSgjaXw