Old Exercises Rediscovered: Eugen Sandow Flyes

Ready for another round of Victorian strength training? Then let’s check Eugen Sandow’s standing flyes.

Eugen Sandow’s Standing Flyes

Today we continue what we started with Sandow’s biceps curls and go back to another exercise the world hasn’t seen in a long time.

For those of you wishing to follow Eugen’s workout plan to the t, this again should add some visual help:

Is This Like A Cable Flye?

No, it isn’t a cable flye. With those your chest has to work against a resistance coming from above / behind. With Sandow’s standing flyes most of the work comes from the shoulders. The chest at best assists them.

Again: Should You Do This?

Work from the shoulders? Yes. Already when I demonstrated Eugen’s curls above, I said that I noticed a lot of his exercises are stress for the shoulders. As hinted in the video, you need to watch how your body (especially the shoulders!) reacts to these and what they do for you.

Picture courtesy of the Library of Congress.