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Story: Gyms

The Sandow system

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The Sandow system

When Eugen Sandow visited New Zealand in 1902, J. W. M. Harrison's Gymnasium and School of Physical Culture claimed to be the only place in Wellington teaching the 'Sandow system' of bodybuilding. Sandow was highly influential and his public appearances generated enthusiasm for gym exercise.

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Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: Eph-B-VARIETY-1902-01-013

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

David Green, Gyms – Twentieth-century developments, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/ephemera/41026/the-sandow-system (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by David Green, published 7 March 2013.