Robert J. Roberts

Robert J. Roberts (1849 – December 22, 1920) was a bodybuilder who was born in England and moved to the United States when young. Roberts served as superintendent of the Boston YMCA gymnasium and was in active service up to within a few days of his death. Roberts was a pioneer of physical training by experimenting on himself. Because of his clearly defined physique, Roberts was often a model for artists and sculptors. He was the first physical director to train men for health instead of for purely athletic events. In 1877, he was hurt by a fall from a swing in the gymnasium, and while on his back for many weeks formed the plans for making exercise in a gym "safe, easy, short, beneficial and pleasing".