The Fitness Influencer who was a Muse for Artists
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During the first half of the twentieth century, an Italian born man living in Brooklyn, named Angelo Siciliano, went through a profound physical transformation that turned him into one of the most iconic figures in fitness history.
In addition to shaping his body, he developed a workout program, known as "Dynamic Tension," and encouraged others (like champion boxer, Joe Lewis) to get stronger through isotonic, isokinetic and isometric (see: “Static Strength Training”) exercises. Fitness coach Chrys Johnson gives a great overview of the theory and methodology behind the Dynamic Tension program on his YouTube channel, No Limit Squad.
You’ll likely only recognize Angelo Siciliano by his alias, Charles Atlas. Siciliano changed his name to Charles Atlas, because he was captivated by a statue of the Ancient Greek Titan, Atlas atop a hotel in Coney Island, Brooklyn.
Atlas’ relationship with art came full circle, by becoming a muse for major artists of his era. His muscular physique was the basis for the creation of several sculptures, such as Alexander Calder's Washington at Peace (1917–18), Pietro Montana's Dawn of Glory (1924) and James Earle Frazer's Alexander Hamilton (1923). He also inspired a short and witty track on The Who’s 1967 album, The Who Sell Out, which is probably my favorite album of theirs.
While these works of art are certainly impressive and intriguing, I connect more personally with the illustrative art that Atlas inspired. I collected a significant number of comic books while growing up. I remember flipping through vintage comics and seeing comic strip style advertisements for Atlas’ strength and conditioning program. The strips show a skinny guy getting picked on by bullies, which is said to be based on Atlas’ own experiences being bullied.
These comics within a comic have a narrative that is similar to my own situation growing up. I was a skinny kid who started to get teased for it as early as elementary school. One of the worst instances came in college, when someone referred to my body type in conjunction with emaciated victims from concentration camps. As a Jew with a history of body image concerns, I was absolutely devastated by such a callous comment.
Looking at the Charles Atlas print advertisements, I see my own fitness origin story.
We all read that comic advertisement back in the day! Grown men kicking sand on other grown men. And none of us questioned it haha