Edwin Checkley

Edwin Checkley (1847–1925) was a British-born American athlete, physician, and the author of a book about strength-training. He was supposedly "one of the strongest men in America" in 1890.[1]

Edwin Checkley
Born1847
London, U.K.
Died1925
EducationLong Island Medical College
OccupationAthlete, physician

Life

Checkley was born in 1847 in London, U.K.[2] He emigrated to the United States in 1871, settling in Brooklyn, New York City.[1] He studied at the Long Island Medical College.[1] By 1890, he had become a long-distance bicycle rider; for example, he rode from New York City to Chicago.[3] That same year, he was "said to be one of the strongest men in America."[1]

In his 1895 book, A Natural Method of Physical Training, Checkley advocated light bodyweight exercises without dumbbells.[4][5] Nevertheless, the book inspired Alan Calvert, the founder of one of the first barbell companies in the world.[2]

Checkley died in 1925.[2]

Selected works

References
  1. "A Brawny Bicyclist". The Sunday Leader. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. September 7, 1890. p. 14. Retrieved January 10, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Hoffman, Jonathan; Gabel, C. Philip (2015). "The origins of Western mind–body exercise methods". Physical Therapy Review. 20 (5–6): 315–324. doi:10.1080/10833196.2015.1125587. PMC 5022134. PMID 27695277.
  3. "Results of Physical Training. Edwin Checkley Gives an Exhibition of His Remarkable Powers". The Buffalo Commercial. Buffalo, New York. August 29, 1890. p. 8. Retrieved January 10, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Janvier, Meredith (May 13, 1925). "Baltimore In The Eighties And Nineties". The Evening Sun. p. 19. Retrieved January 10, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Recent Publications". The Indianapolis Journal. May 31, 1890. p. 7. Retrieved January 10, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.


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