Eugen Sandow : Strength and How to Get It

The man was ahead of his time. He knew that really was about mind over matter :

HUNDREDS of letters reach me daily, asking "Can I become strong?" Yes; you can all become strong if you have the will and use it in the right direction. But, in the first place, you must learn to exercise your mind. This, first of all lessons in physical training is of the utmost importance. For on it the whole of my system depends. If physical exercise alone and unaided could achieve the desired end, then would every one who, like the breaker of stones, has to use his muscles to earn his daily bread, become, in a popular acceptation of the term, "a strong man." The breaker of stones, however, never uses his mind. He has to get through a given amount of work, and his method is purely mechanical. Though he may use his muscles in hard work every day of the year it is unlikely that his strength will ever materially increase.

Exercise, indeed, without using the mind in conjunction with it, is of no use. It is the brain which develops the muscles, Physical exercise must be commenced by degrees, first bringing into play one muscle, then two, then three, and so on, being careful all the time to put the mind into every movement. Let me strongly advise every student to study well the anatomical chart which is published with this book. By its aid you will be able not only to receive a useful lesson in anatomy, but you will also be able to see at a glance the exercise by which each muscle may be developed.

So charming, the last word :

The reader will probably ask if special means were adopted during this and succeeding engagements to maintain my strength. The answer is very simple : The performance itself provides the necessary amount of daily training. I eat, drink, smoke and sleep quite in the ordinary way, taking care to observe in all things that guiding rule of moderation to which reference is made in the preceding chapter. I only practice, in order that grace and perfection may be attained, when some new feat is introduced. Personally, it may be added, I find that the best time for a performance is about three hours after a meal.