5xbplan For Women

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The kind permission of the Royal Canadian

Air Force to make the text of this training
pamphlet available to the public is gratefully acknowledged.
CROWN COPYRIGHT
This book, or parts thereof, may not be
reproduced in any form without permission.
--
The RCAF acknowledges the contribution

made to the preparation of the XBX
Pamphlet by N. J. Ashton, B.Sc., M.S.,
Physical Education Specialist, and the art
work of P. J. Carey, D.A., Art and Craft
Specialist.
Revised 1962
Reprinted 1965
Reprinted 1966
Reprinted 1967
Crown Copyrights reserved

Available by mail from the Queens Printer, Ottawa,
and at the following Canadian Government bookshops:
HALIFAX
1737 Barrington Street
MONTREAL
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TORONTO
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or through your bookseller
A deposit copy of this publication is also available
for reference in public libraries across Canada
Price 35 cents
Catalogue No. DC72-267
Price subject to change without notice

ROGER DUHAMEL, F.R.S.C.
Queens Printer and Controller of Stationery
Ottawa, Canada
1967
FOREWORD
Physical fitness does not mean bulging muscles nor is it the
exclusive property of men.
Physical fitness has a positive effect on mental fitness. It also
enhances and improves such desirable qualities as vitality, appearance,
and personality.
The ten exercises in this booklet have been carefully selected and
their manner of use has been designed to enable women to achieve
physical well being for optimum living.
Although the Royal Canadian Air Force demands a high standard
of physical fitness for its women personnel, this standard is no higher
than that desired by women for themselves.
The only known way to physical fitness is through physical exercise.
The exercise plan outlined in the XBX booklet provides women with the
opportunity to achieve physical fitness in an enjoyable, interesting
manner for a total investment of 12 minutes a day.
Wishing is not good enough.
(W. A. ORR)
Air Vice-Marshal
for Chief of the Air Staff
The XBX Plan for Physical Fitness has been

designed for varying age groups covering women members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian
Air Cadets, and dependent children.
A similar exercise program for RCAF male personnel has been published under the title 5BX Plan for
Physical Fitness.
CAUTION
Before You Start
If you have any doubt as to your capability to
undertake this program, see your medical adviser.
You should not perform fast, vigorous, or highly
competitive physical activity without gradually developing, and continuously maintaining, an adequate level of
physical fitness, particularly if you are over the age
of 30.
Physical Fitness - What it Means

The question is frequently asked, What is meant by physical
fitness? Technically, physical fitness involves measures and levels of
muscular strength and endurance, muscle tone, heart action and response
to activity, agility, balance, co-ordination, and so on. But fitness is also
a personal thing. It is how we feel when we get up in the morning;
how tired or fresh we are after a hard days work; how eagerly we look
forward to doing those things which we all like to dopicnic, skior
those things which we have to dowash floors.
Each person is her own best judge of what physical fitness is and
what it means to her.
Why You Should Be Fit

Research has shown that:
the physically fit person is able to withstand fatigue for
longer periods. than the unfit;
the physically fit person is better equipped to tolerate
physical stress;
the physically fit person has a stronger and more
efficient heart; and
there is a relationship between good mental alertness,
absence of nervous tension, and physical fitness.
REMEMBER THAT:
weak stomach muscles cause sagging abdomens; and
weak back muscles are a major cause of back pain.
There are countless reasons for being fit. YOU know how you
feel. EVERYONE knows how you look. Regular exercise can improve
YOUR sense of well being and your appearance.
Fitness is necessary for the fullest enjoyment of living.
Read the XBX booklet carefully.

3
Your Appearance
Your appearance is controlled by the bony frame of your body, and
by the proportions of fat and muscle which you have added to it.
You cannot do anything about your skeleton, but you can, and should,
do something about the fat and muscle.
All of us require a certain amount of fat on and in our bodies for
functional reasons. Fat softens the bony contours of the body; it
helps to keep the body temperature constant; and it acts as an energy
storage vault. Fat appears in layers on the outside of the body, covers
and lines the internal organsthe heart and blood vessels, for example
and it also makes up a part of muscle.
Except for certain neurotic or glandular conditions, people are over
FAT because they over EAT and under EXERCISE.
Muscle is the other controllable factor in the appearance. When
we are young we are fairly active; the muscles of our bodies are used
and they retain that pleasing firmnessMUSCLE TONE. The less we
exercise muscles the softer and more flabby they become. They become
small with disuse, less elastic, and much weaker. Much of what is considered fatness in the abdominal region is nothing more than weak
stomach muscles which permit the internal organs to sag forward.
Your muscles perform the same function as a girdlekeep them as
resilient as your foundation garment.
Because the condition of your muscles is so important to the way
you look and feel, diet alone is not the best method for trying to improve
your body measurements. The best method is a combination of diet and
exercise. A thigh that is made up of little muscle and a lot of fat may
have the same measurement as one that has firm muscle and a light
fat layer, butlets face itit is just not the same thigh.
Do not confuse good muscle tone with bulky, unsightly muscles.
The XBX is designed to firm your musclesnot to convert you into a
muscled woman.
Weight Control
The major purpose of weight control is to reduce the amount of fat
on the body and to increase the amount of muscle. It is, in reality,
a program of fat control rather than weight control. This control can
be exerted only by coupling a sensible dietary program with a regular,
balanced program of exercise.
When we eat, the food is used, stored, or discarded. The body
stores fuel, or calories, as fat. The more fuel we consume, and the less
of it we use, then the more of it that is stored in the body in the form
of fat. The human body is not like a cars gas tank that will overflow
when full. Our bodies accept all the calories that we put into them,
and store those which we do not use.
For example, if you eat food that has a value of 3,000 calories and
use only 2,600 of them in your activity, then the remaining 400 calories
are stored in the body. Every time you accumulate about 4,000 of these
calories you will notice an extra pound of weight on the scales.
When you exercise you burn calories. Energy used in this way will
result in muscle development. As muscle is slightly heavier than fat,
you may very well notice an increase in your weight rather than
a reduction. However it must be stressed that this muscle weight is
useful weight and will improve the way you look and feel.
Research has shown clearly that the most effective way of taking
off weight and keeping it off is through a program which combines
exercise and diet.
ENERGY
(calories)
REQUIRED
IN NORMAL
DAILY
WORK
EXCESS
ENERGY
STORED
AS
BODY
FAT
EXCESS FAT
PLACES AN EXTRA BURDEN
ON THE HEART AND MUSCLES
Energy
Required
For
Body Heat
ENERGY
(calories)
REQUIRED
IN
NORMAL
SAILY
WORK
EXCESS
ENERGY
USED UP
BY A
REGULAR
EXERCISE
PROGRAM
NO EXCESS BAGGATE
IN FORM OF FAT
Energy
Required
For
Body Heat
Diet
For many women, the knowledge that they have gained a few
pounds, or added a few inches, causes what may be called the Diet
Reflex. Without pause to consult a medical expert they resort immediately to their favourite diet, which is more usually a fast. If you wish
to go on a stringent dietconsult your physician first.
As a rule you can avoid the need for resorting to a strict reduction
of food intake by the constant use of sensible dietary habits. In the
normal individual, fat is added to the body very slowly. It may be
several weeks or even months before you notice this gradual accumulation. You cannot hope to take this fat off and keep it off without making
subtle changes in eating and exercise habits. After a crash diet, you
will undoubtedly return to your old habits and, once more, in a few
weeks you will note that IT is back again.
A slight change in diet (alone with XBX ) can take off, and kee
off, several pounds of excess fat over a period of time. For example, if
you eat bread with your meals, eat one slice less; add a little less
sugar, or none at all, to your tea or coffee. The calories so avoided each
day add up to several thousand in a few months and may be the
difference between the way you look and feel and the way you would
like to look and feel. By the time you have arrived at the condition
you desire your habits will have been changed enough so that you will
probably not slip back into the old ones.
6
What You Can Do About Fitness

Unless you are engaged in a full time program of conditioning
for athletic endeavours you should take part in some form of active
exercise.
The average woman is engaged in one of three activities daily
school, employment, or housework. None of these provides the balanced
activity for the body that is desirable for good physical fitness. Housework, for example, though it may involve a good deal of hard physical
labour, does not take into account the flexibility of the muscles, nor does
it work all the muscles of the body. Day after day you do the same
things. The muscles that work get plenty of exercise; the others get
little or none.
The same facts that are true of housework also hold true for most
sports. Sports make specific contributions to fitness but do not condition
the whole body. Most people taking part in a recreational sport do not
pursue it vigorously enough to develop adequate levels of fitness. Before
they become completely effective, even those sports which can produce
all round fitness require -more skill than the average person possesses
and more time than the average person can devote to them.
No matter what you do in your daily life you probably need a
good, balanced program of exercise which will enable you to become the
person you want to be.
How You Can Use XBX

XBX requires little time and space, and no equipment, so you can:
Do it aloneat homeat any time.
Form your own fitness club. Make XBX a part of your daily or
weekly get together with the girls.
Have your family work on fitness together. XBX for the ladies,
5BX for the men. It can be fun.
Why XBX was Developed

Research has indicated that Canadiansmale and female, young
and oldare in need of some form of regular, vigorous, physical
activity. As more and more labour-saving devices are put into general
use, as more and more people watch more and more television, movies,
and sports events, the amount of physical effort expended by the average
person decreases continually.
An analysis of the exercise needs of Canadians was conducted by
RCAF specialists and led to the development of the 5BX program for
men. XBX is the complementary program for women.
The RCAF analysis indicated three major deterrents to regular
exercise:
first
-- a great majority of people would like to
exercise, but do not know how to go about
itwhat to do, how to do it, how often, how
to progress, or how far to progress;
second -- most exercise programs call for the use of
equipment and gymnasiums which are not
always available; and
third
-- most exercise programs call for a great expenditure of time, which most people cannot spare.
Clearly a program which resolves these problems is required.
The XBX Plan does this.
XBX tells you what to do, where to start, how fast you progress,
and how far you should progress to achieve a desirable level of
physical fitness.
XBX requires no equipment
and very little space.
XBX takes only 12 minutes
a day.
The program is here
the rest is up to you.
How XBX Was Developed

XBX is the product of extensive research into the problems of
physical fitness for girls and women.
The research was conducted at several RCAF stations and in the
later stages included sections of the civilian population.
Over 600 girls and women of all ages participated in the project.
The RCAF is indebted to these persons for their contributions to the
program.
The first step in the project was the administration of a series of
physical fitness tests. The tests included an examination of muscular
strength and endurance, testing of heart response to activity, and
measurement of fat layers. From the results of these tests the physical
fitness needs of women were analyzed.
Experiments were carried out with a wide variety of exercises to
determine those most effective in producing the desired results. Many
of these exercises were discarded as ineffectual. The ten exercises of
XBX provided the most balanced and effective program.
The time limits for each exercise were varied until the optimum
time for good results was determined.
Tests were conducted to arrive at the number of times each exercise
could be done, and should be done, within the time limits.
The first experimental exercise programs were used by several
hundred women. Periodic tests showed that XBX was an effective plan
to improve levels of general fitness.
The program was then distributed to groups and to individuals
across Canada for further trial
and comment. Further modifications in the plan were made on
the basis of this final field trial.
The results of this research
are presented in this booklet
RCAF XBX Plan for Physical
Fitness.
What the XBX Plan Is

The XBX Plan is a physical fitness program composed of four
charts of ten exercises, arranged in progressive order of difficulty. The
ten exercises on each chart are always performed in the same order,
and in the same maximum time limits.
The charts are divided into levels. There are 48 levels in all, 12
in each chart. The levels are numbered consecutively, starting with 1
at the bottom of Chart I and ending with 48 at the top of Chart IV.
In addition to the regular exercises, two supplementary exercises
are available for Charts I, II, and III. These exercises are for the muscles
of the feet and ankles and for those muscles which assist in the
maintenance of good posture.
How XBX Works

Any exercise plan or program should work on the basis of an
easy start and gradual progression. As physical fitness improves, the
work load is increased. The XBX approach to exercise follows these
principles.
XBX incorporates two methods to make the work load greater:
first - the time limit for each exercise remains the
same in all charts, but the number of times
the exercise is performed within this time limit
is increased at each level within each chart; and
second- the exercises are made more difficult from each
chart to the next higher one.
On each chart you do the same exercises at each of the twelve
levels but increase the number of times you do them.
As you move to the next higher chart the exercises are basically
the same but have been modified and made slightly more demanding.
The XBX has been planned for gradual, painless progression.
Follow the plan as outlined in the booklet.
Do not skip levels.
Do not progress faster than is recommended.
10
What the Exercises Are For

The XBX will improve your general physical condition by:
increasing muscle tone;
increasing muscular strength;
increasing muscular endurance;
increasing flexibility; and
increasing the efficiency of your heart.
Each exercise is included because of its contribution in one or

more of these areas.
The first four exercises are primarily to improve and maintain
flexibility and mobility in those areas of the body which are usually
neglected. They also serve as a warm-up for the more strenuous exercises
which follow.
Exercise 5 is for strengthening the abdominal region and the
muscles of the fronts of the thighs.
Exercise 6 exercises the long muscles of the back, the buttocks,
and the backs of the thighs.
Exercise 7 concentrates on the muscles on the sides of the thighs.
These muscles get very little work in routine daily activities, or indeed
in most sports.
Exercise 8 is primarily for the arms, shoulders, and chest, but at
the same time exercises the back and abdomen.
Exercise 9 is partly for flexibility in the waist area and for strengthening the muscles of the hips and sides.
Exercise 10, the run-in-place with jumping, while exercising the
legs, is primarily for the conditioning of the heart and lungs.
The two supplementary exercises are included for those who wish
to do a little more. One exercise is for strengthening the muscles of the
feet and the ankle joint. The other is for those muscles of the back
and abdomen which assist in the maintenance of posture.
11
What the Charts Mean

Below is an explanation of what the chart pages mean. Check the
paragraph headings below with the sample chart on the opposite page.
EXERCISE
The numbers across the tops of the charts are the exercise numbers
from I to 10. 1 he column headed I refers to Exercise 1, and so on.
The exercises are described and illustrated in the five pages following
each chart. Exercises 8A and 8B are the supplementary exercises
described on pages 40 to 42. If you choose to do these, do them
between Exercises 8 and 9.
LEVEL
The numbers along the left side of the chart are the levels of the
program, and each refers to the line of numbers beside it under the
exercise headings. For example at Level 14 you do Exercise 3 seven
times, Exercise 6 fifteen times, and so on.
MINUTES FOR EACH EXERCISE
The allotted time for each exercise is shown here. The exercises
numbered I to 4 are the warm-up and all four are to be completed within
2 minutes, or about a half minute each. Other examples: Exercise 5
takes 2 minutes, and Exercise 6 takes I minute. The total time for each
level of ten exercises is 12 minutes. It is important that all the exercises
be done within this total time limit. Do not move up to the next level
until you can do your present level, without excessive strain or fatigue,
in the 12 minutes.
RECOMMENDED NUMBER OF DAYS AT EACH LEVEL
Record in the box provided on each chart page the number of days
it is recommended that you spend at each level before progressing to the
next. (See instructions for using the plan on page 15.)
MY PROGRESS
This chart is provided to enable you to keep an accurate record of
your progress on the way to your physical fitness goal. Record the dates
you started and finished each level. Make a note of how you felt as
you did the exercises. To use the bottom chart, select a reasonable aim
for yourself in terms of body measurements and record this in MY
AIM. Then record your present measurements on the START line.
When you have completed the exercise chart, note your latest measurements on the line labelled FINISH. The FINISH line on one chart
will be the START line on the next.
Note:
12
Do not expect startling results. Fitness takes time and persistence. Couple your XBX program with a good diet, and
your progress will be steady.
CHART II
EXERCISE
L
E
V
E
L
10
8A
8B
24
15
16
12
30
35
38
50
28
20
210
40
36
23
15
16
12
30
33
36
48
26
18
200
38
34
22
15
16
12
30
31
34
46
24
18
200
36
32
21
13
14
11
26
29
32
44
23
16
190
33
29
20
13
14
11
26
27
31
42
21
16
175
31
27
19
13
14
11
26
24
29
40
20
14
160
28
24
18
12
12
20
22
27
38
18
14
150
25
22
17
12
12
20
19
24
36
16
12
150
22
20
16
12
12
20
16
21
34
14
10
140
19
19
15
10
10
18
14
18
32
12
10
130
17
15
14
10
10
18
11
15
30
10
120
14
13
13
10
10
18
12
28
120
12
12
Minutes
for each
Exercise
Recommended number of days at each level
MY PROGRESS
LEVEL
STARTED
FINISHED
COMMENTS
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
DATE
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
WAIST
HIPS
BUST
My Aim
Start
Finish
13
Your Fitness Goal

As is explained in the instructions for the use of the program on
the opposite page, each age group is given a physical fitness goal to
attain; that is, a level which they should try to reach.
The goals indicated in this plan are based on the average achievements of girls and women who have participated in it.
Your goal, then, is the level of fitness that the average girl or
woman of your age reached without undue stress, strain, or fatigue.
With every average, there are individuals who surpass it, and
those who fall below it. In terms of the XBX plan and the goals, this
means that there will be some women who are capable of progressing
beyond the goal indicated, and on the other hand, there will be persons
who will never attain this average level.
If you feel able to move further through the charts than your
goal, by all means do so. If, on the contrary, you experience great
difficulty in approaching this level you should stop at a level which
you feel to be within your capability. It is impossible to predict accurately a level for each individual who uses this program. Use the goals
as guides, and apply them with common sense.
From time to time as you progress through the levels you may
have difficulty with a particular level or exercise. If so, proceed slowly
but keep working at it. (These plateaus may occur anywhere in the
progression.) Generally you will be able to move ahead after a few
days at this level. If you cannot, then you have probably arrived at
your potential physical fitness level in so far as this particular program
is concerned.
Caution
If for any reason you stop doing XBX for more than two weeks
because of illness, vacation, or any other causeDO NOT restart at
the level you had attained before stopping. DO drop back several levels
or to the next lower chart until you find a level which you can do fairly
easily. Physical fitness is lost during long periods of inactivity. This is
particularly true if the inactivity were caused by illness.
14
Instructions for Using the XBX Plan

First select YOUR GOAL for YOUR AGE from the table below.
Locate this level in the charts which follow. Mark it in some way
circle it or underline it.
Record the recommended minimum number of days at each level
in the box provided on each chart page. For example if you are 28
years of age, your goal is Level 30 on Chart III and you spend AT
LEAST 2 days doing each level on Chart I, 3 days at each level on
Chart II, and 5 days at each level on Chart III. Do not move faster
than the recommended rate.
If
Your Age
is
Recommended Minimum
Your Goal
Number of Days at Each Level on
is
Chart Chart Chart Chart
Level
I
II
III
IV
7- 8 years ....................
9-10 years ....................
11-12 years ....................
13-14 years ....................
15-17 years ....................
18-19 years ....................
20-25 years ....................
26-30 years ....................
31-35 years ....................
36-40 years ....................
41-45 years ....................
46-50 years ....................
51-55 years ....................
30
34
38
41
44
40
35
30
26
22
19
16
11
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
4
5
7
8
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
4
6
7
8
x
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
5
6
x
x
x
x
x
x
3
3
3
4
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
To Start and Progress

Start at Level 1, which is at the bottom of Chart I. When you can
do this level without strain and in 12 minutes move up to Level 2.
Continue through the levels and charts in this way until you reach the
goal level recommended for your age group, OR until you feet you are
exercising at your maximum capacity.
When You Reach Your Goal
Once you have reached your goal you should require only three
exercise periods a week to maintain it.
15
CHART I
EXERCISE
L
E
V
E
L
10
8A
8B
12
10
40
26
20
30
14
14
170
18
20
11
10
40
24
18
28
13
14
160
17
18
10
10
40
22
16
26
12
12
150
16
17
36
20
14
24
10
11
140
14
15
36
18
12
20
10
125
13
14
36
16
12
18
10
115
11
12
28
14
10
16
100
10
11
28
12
14
90
28
10
10
80
24
70
24
60
24
50
Minutes
for each
Exercise
MY PROGRESS
LEVEL
STARTED
FINISHED
COMMENTS
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
DATE
My Aim
Start
Finish
16
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
WAIST
HIPS
BUST
Exercise IToe Touching
Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, arms over head.

Bend forward to touch floor between feet. Do not try to keep
knees straight. Return to starting position.
Count. Each return to starting position counts one.
Exercise 2Knee Raising
Start.
Stand erect, hands at sides, feet together.

Raise left knee as high as possible, grasping knee and shin with
hands. Pull leg toward body. Keep back straight throughout.
Lower foot to floor.
Repeat with right leg. Continue by alternating legsleft then
right.
Count. Left and right knee raises count one.

17
Exercise 3Lateral Bending
Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, hands at sides. Keeping back
straight, bend sidewards from waist to left. Slide left hand down
leg as far as possible. Return to starting position and bend to
right side. Continue by alternating to left then right.
Count. Bends to the left and right count one.
Exercise 4Arm Circling
Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, arms at sides. Make large
circles with left arm. Do one quarter of total count with forward
circles and one quarter with backward circles. Repeat with
right arm.
Count. A full arm circle counts one.
18
Exercise 5Partial Sit-ups
Start. Lie on back, legs straight and together, arms at sides.

Raise head and shoulders from floor until you can see your
heels. Lower head to floor.
Count. Each partial sit-up counts one.
Exercise 6Chest and Leg Raising
Start. Lie face down, arms along sides, hands under thighs, palms
pressing against thighs.
Raise head, shoulders, and left leg as high as possible from
floor. Keep leg straight. Lower to floor.
Repeat raising head, shoulders, and right leg.
Continue by alternating legs, left then right.
Count. Each chest and leg raise counts one.
19
Exercise 7Side Leg Raising
Start. Lie on side, legs straight, lower arm stretched over head along
floor, top arm used for balance.
Raise upper leg 18 to 24 inches. Lower to starting position.
Count. Each leg raise counts one. Do half number of counts raising
left leg. Roll to other side and do half number of counts raising
right leg.
Exercise 8Push-ups
Start. Lie face down, legs straight and together, hands directly under
shoulders.
Push body off floor in any way possible, keeping hands and
knees in contact with floor. Sit back on heels. Lower body to
floor.
20
Exercise 9Leg Lifting
Start. Lie on back, legs straight and together, arms at sides, palms
down.
Raise left leg until it is perpendicular to floor, or as close to
this position as possible.
Lower and repeat with right leg.
Continue by alternating legs, left then right.
Count. Left plus right leg lifts count one.
Exercise 10Run and Hop
Start. Stand erect, feet together, arms at sides.

Starting with left leg, run in place raising feet at least four
inches from floor.
(When running in place lift knees forward, do not merely kick
heels backwards.)
Count. Each time left foot touches floor counts one.
After each fifty counts do ten hops.
Hops. Hopping is done so that both feet leave floor together. Try to
hop at least four inches off floor each time.
Note: In all run-in-place exercises only running steps are counted
towards completing exercise repetitions.
21
CHART II
EXERCISE
L
E
V
E
L
10
8A
8B
24
15
16
12
30
35
38
50
28
20
210
40
36
23
15
16
12
30
33
36
48
26
18
200
38
34
22
15
16
12
30
31
34
46
24
18
200
36
32
21
13
14
11
26
29
32
44
23
16
190
33
29
20
13
14
11
26
27
31
42
21
16
175
31
27
19
13
14
11
26
24
29
40
20
14
160
28
24
18
12
12
20
22
27
38
18
14
150
25
22
17
12
12
20
19
24
36
16
12
150
22
20
16
12
12
20
16
21
34
14
10
140
19
19
15
10
10
18
14
18
32
12
10
130
17
15
14
10
10
18
11
15
30
10
120
14
13
13
10
10
18
12
28
120
12
12
Minutes
for each
Exercise
MY PROGRESS
LEVEL
STARTED
FINISHED
COMMENTS
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
DATE
My Aim
Start
Finish
22
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
WAIST
HIPS
BUST
Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, arms over head.

Bend forward to touch floor between feet.
Bob up and down touching floor a second time.
Return to starting position.

Raise left knee as high as possible grasping knee and shin
with hands. Pull leg against body. Keep back straight throughout. Lower foot to floor.
Repeat with right leg. Continue by alternating legs-left then
right.
23
Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, hands at sides.

Keeping back straight, bend sidewards from waist to left.
Slide left hand down leg as far as possible. Bob up a few
inches and press sidewards and down again.
Return to starting position and repeat same movements to
right side.
Continue by alternating to left then right.
Count. Bends to left and right count one.
Exercise 4-Arm Circling
Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, arms at sides.

Make large circles, with both arms at same time, backwards
and around. Do half the number of repetitions making backward circles and half making forward circles.
Count. Each full arm circle counts one.
24
Exercise 5Rocking Sit-ups
Start.
Lie on back, knees bent, feet on floor, arms extended over

head.
Swing arms forward and at same time thrust feet forward and
move to sitting position. Reach forward, trying to touch toes
with fingers. Return to starting position.
Start. Lie face down, arms along sides, palms pressing against thighs.
Raise head, shoulders, and legs as high as possible from floor.
Keep legs straight. Return to starting position.
25
Raise upper leg until it is perpendicular to floor or as close
to this position as possible. Lower to starting position.
left leg. Roll to other side and do half number of counts raising
right leg.
Exercise 8Knee Push-ups
Start.
Lie face down, legs straight and together, hands directly under
shoulders.
Push body off floor until arms are straightened. Keep hands and
knees in contact with floor. Try to keep body in straight line.

26
Exercise 9Leg-overs
Start. Lie on back, legs straight and together, arms stretched sidewards
at shoulder level.
Raise left leg to perpendicular. Drop it across body, and try to
touch right hand with toes. Raise leg to perpendicular and
return to starting position. Repeat same movements with right
leg. Keep body and legs straight throughout, and shoulders on
floor.
Exercise 10Run and Stride Jumping
Start. Stand erect, feet together, arms at sides. Starting with left leg
run in place raising feet at least four inches from floor.
After each fifty runs do ten stride jumps.
Stride Stride jump starts with feet together, arms at sides. Jump so
Jump. that feet are about 18 inches apart when you land. At the
same time as you jump, raise arms sidewards to shoulder
height. Jump again so that feet are together and arms are at
sides when you land.
27
CHART III
EXERCISE
L
E
V
E
L
10
8A
8B
36
15
22
18
40
42
40
60
40
20
240
32
38
35
15
22
18
40
41
39
60
39
20
230
30
36
34
15
22
18
40
40
38
58
37
19
220
29
34
33
13
20
16
36
39
36
58
35
19
210
27
33
32
13
20
16
36
37
36
56
34
18
200
25
31
31
13
20
16
36
35
34
56
32
16
200
24
30
30
12
18
14
30
33
33
54
30
15
190
23
28
29
12
18
14
30
32
31
54
29
14
180
21
26
28
12
18
14
30
31
30
52
27
12
170
20
25
27
10
16
12
24
29
30
52
25
11
160
19
23
26
10
16
12
24
27
29
50
23
150
17
21
25
10
16
12
24
26
28
48
22
140
16
20
Minutes
for each
Exercise
MY PROGRESS
LEVEL
STARTED
FINISHED
COMMENTS
36
35
34
33
32
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
DATE
My Aim
Start
Finish
28
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
WAIST
HIPS
BUST
Start. Stand erect, feet about 16 inches apart, arms over head.
Bend down to touch floor outside left foot. Bob up and down
to touch floor between feet. Bob again and bend to touch floor
outside right foot. Return to starting position.

hands.
Pull leg against body. Keep back straight throughout. Lower
foot to floor.
right.
29
Exercise 3Lateral Beading
Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, right arm extended over head,
bent at elbow.
Slide left hand down leg as far as possible, at the same time
press to left with right arm.
Return to starting position and change arm positions. Repeat
to right. Continue by alternating to left then right.
Exercise 4Arm Circling
Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, arms at sides.

Make large circles with arms in a windmill actionone arm
following other and both moving at same time. Do half number
of repetitions making backward circles and half making forward
circles.
Count. Each full circle by both arms counts one.
30
Exercise 5Sit-ups
Start. Lie on back, legs straight and together, arms along sides.
Keeping back as straight as possible, move to a sitting position.
Slide hands along legs during this movement finally reaching
forward to try to touch toes with fingers.
Start. Lie face down, legs straight and together, arms stretched sidewards at shoulder level.
Raise entire upper body and both legs from floor as high as
possible.
Keep legs straight. Return to starting position.
31
Raise upper leg until it is perpendicular to floor. Lower to
starting position.
left leg. Roll to other side and do half number of counts
raising right leg.
Exercise 8Elbow Push-ups
Start. Lie face down, legs straight and together, elbows directly under
shoulders, forearms along floor, and hands clasped together.
Raise body from floor by straightening it from head to heels.
In the up position, body is in a straight line and elbows, forearms, and toes are in contact with floor. Lower to starting
position. Keep head up throughout.
32
Exercise 9Leg-overs-Tuck
Start. Lie on back, legs straight and together, arms stretched sidewards at shoulder level, palms down.
Raise both legs from floor, bending at hips and knees until
in a tuck position. Lower legs to left, keeping knees together
and both shoulders on floor. Raise legs and lower to floor on
right side. Raise until perpendicular to floor and return to
starting position. Keep knees close to abdomen throughout.
Exercise 10Run and Half Knee Bends

Starting with left leg, run in place raising feet at least six
inches from floor.
After each fifty counts do ten half knee bends.
Half Half knee bends start with hands on hips, feet together, body
Knee erect. Bend at knees and hips, lowering body until thigh and
Bends. calf form an angle of about 110 degrees. Do not bend knees past
a right angle. Keep back straight. Return to starting position.
33
CHART IV
EXERCISE
L
E
V
E
L
10
48
15
26
15
32
48
46
58
30
16
230
47
15
26
15
32
45
45
56
27
15
220
46
15
26
15
32
44
44
54
24
14
210
45
13
24
14
30
42
43
52
21
13
200
44
13
24
14
30
40
42
50
19
13
190
43
13
24
14
30
38
40
48
16
12
175
42
12
22
12
28
35
39
46
13
10
160
41
12
22
12
28
32
38
44
11
150
40
12
22
12
28
30
38
40
140
39
10
20
10
26
29
36
38
130
38
10
20
10
26
27
35
36
115
37
10
20
10
26
25
34
34
100
Minutes
for each
Exercise
MY PROGRESS
LEVEL
STARTED
FINISHED
COMMENTS
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
38
37
DATE
My Aim
Start
Finish
34
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
WAIST
HIPS
BUST
Start. Stand erect, feet about 16 inches apart, arms over head.
Bend down to touch floor outside left foot. Bob up and down
to touch floor between feet. Bob again touching floor between
feet once more. Bob and bend to touch floor outside right foot.

hands.
Pull leg against body. Keep back straight throughout.
Lower foot to floor.
right.
35
Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, right arm extended over head,
bent at elbow.
Slide left hand down leg as far as possible, at same time press
to left with right arm. Bob up a few inches and press to left
again.
Return to starting position and change arm positions.
Repeat to right.
Continue by alternating to left then right.
Exercise 4Arm Flinging
Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, upper arms extended sidewards at shoulder level, elbows bent, outstreatched fingers touching in front of chest.
Press elbows backward and upward. Do not let elbows drop.
Return arms to starting position and then fling hands and arms
outward, backward, and upward as far as possible.
Count. Count one after each arm fling.
36
Exercise 5Sit-ups
Start. Lie on back, legs straight and together, hands behind head.
Move to sitting position. Keep feet on floor (support may be
used if necessary) and back straight. Lower body to starting
position.
Start. Lie face down, legs straight and together, hands behind head.
Raise entire upper body and both legs from floor as high as
possible. Keep legs straight. Return to starting position.
37
Start. With right side to floor, support weight on right hand (arm
straight) and side of right foot, using left hand for assistance in
balance if necessary.
Raise left leg until it is parallel with floor. Lower leg to
starting position.
left leg. Change to other side and do half number of counts
raising right leg.
Exercise 8Push-ups
Start. Lie face down, legs straight and together, toes turned under,
hands directly under shoulders.
Push up from hands and toes until arms are fully extended.
Keep body and legs in a straight line. Return to touch chest to
floor and repeat.
Count. Each time chest touches floor counts one.
38
Exercise 9Leg-oversStraight
Start. Lie on back, legs straight and together, arms stretched sidewards at shoulder level, palms down.
Raise both legs until they are perpendicular to floor, keeping
them straight and together. Lower legs to left, trying to touch
left hand with toes. Raise to perpendicular and lower to right
side. Raise again to perpendicular and return to starting
position.
Exercise 10Run and Semi-Squat Jumps

Starting with left leg, run in place raising feet at least six inches
from floor.
After each fifty counts do ten semi-squat jumps.
Semi- Drop to a half crouch position with hands on knees and arms
Squat- straight. Keep back as straight as possible, one foot slightly
Jumps.ahead of the other. Jump to upright position with body straight
and feet leaving floor. Reverse position of feet before landing,
return to half crouch, and repeat.
39
Supplementary Exercises
On this page and the following two pages the supplementary
exercise for feet, ankles, and posture are illustrated and described. If
you wish to do these exercises they are to be included in your regular
program between Exercises 8 and 9 and are numbered 8A and 8B.
Chart I
Supplementary Exercise 8A Feet and Ankles
Start. Sit on floor, legs straight and about six inches apart, hands
behind body for support, feet relaxed.
Press toes away from body as far as possible. Bring toes towards
body hooking feet as much as possible. Relax feet.
Count. Each return to relaxed state counts one.
Supplementary Exercise 8B Posture
Start. Sit on floor, knees bent, feet on floor, hands clasped about knees,
head bent forward, and body relaxed.
Straighten body and lift head to look directly ahead. Pull in
muscles of abdomen. Relax to starting position.
40
Chart II
Start. Sit on floor, legs straight and heels about 14 inches apart, hands
behind body for support, feet relaxed.
Move feet so that toes make large circular movements. Press
out and around and in and towards the body. Do half number
of counts moving toes in one direction, then reverse for
remainder of counts.
Count. Each time toes describe a full circle counts one.
Start. Lie on back, knees bent, feet on floor, arms slightly to side.
Relax muscles of trunk.
Press lower part of back to floor by tightening muscles of
abdomen and back. Relax to starting position.
41
Chart III
Start. Stand erect, arms at sides, feet about 12 inches apart.

First raise up onto toes, then lower until feet are flat on floor.
Next roll outward on sides of feet, then roll feet so that outside
edge of foot is off floor. Return to starting position.
Start. Lie on back, legs straight and together, arms slightly to side.
Relax muscles of trunk.
Press lower part of back to floor by tightening muscles of
abdomen and back. Relax to starting position.
42
Live To Be Fit and Be Fit To Live

This pamphlet has been concerned primarily with the habits of
exercise and diet as steps on the road to fitness. Many more ways and
means exist which can become habits that will also contribute to this
goal. Try to make some of these a part of your daily living and you
will soon find that without conscious effort, or extra work, you are
gaining many benefits.
Walking is an excellent exercise if done at a faster pace than a
slow shuffle. If you use public transportation do not use the nearest or
most convenient stop, but get on or off a few blocks away and walk
briskly. Walk to the corner store or mail box rather than using your
car. At every opportunity, walk rather than ride. Climb a few flights
of stairs instead of using the elevator or escalator.
Use your muscles to lift objects when you are able, rather than
pushing them.
Even an everyday practice like drying yourself with a towel after
bathing can become a fitness activity. Rub down briskly rather than
daubing.
While sitting at a desk or table you can aid posture and tone up
muscles. Sit tall with your back straight; do not slump with round back
and shoulders, and head forward.
To tone up the shoulder girdle and arm muscles: sit erect, place
hands on desk, palms down, elbows bent, and press down trying to lift
body from chair. Hold the pressure for a few seconds. Repeat two or
three times a day.
When standing, sitting, or lying, tense the muscles of the abdomen
and hold for about six seconds. Do this a few times each day.
Constantly think of how you look, and walk tall and sit tall,
always attempting to maintain a good postural position.
WALKING IS A BEST EXERCISE
43
Rest, Relaxation, and Revitalization

It is just as important that your body receive adequate rest as
it is that it be exercised. Sleep requirements vary from person to person
and each person is her own best judge of her needs. The important
thing is to awake refreshed and revitalized. A few tips on getting the
most from your bedtime hours:
Keep the room as dark as possible;
Do not take your problems to bed with youif you must think,
think calm, restful thoughts;
Mild exercise before retiring may be helpful;
If you are hungry, have a light snack or a warm, non-stimulating
beverage.
Relaxation, both mental and physical, is becoming more and more
essential in the fast moving, hurly-burly world in which we live. Many
emotional tensions are reflected in physical (organic and muscular)
tensions.
You can consciously reduce both forms of tension. Physically you
can learn to relax muscle groups. A simple illustration is: hold your
hands in front of you, tighten up the muscles of the forearms so that
the hands and fingers are straight, abruptly relax them so that the hands
fall limpy. Try this with other musclestightenthen relax. Stretch,
writhe, and wriggle yourself into a relaxed state.
For mental relaxation try consciously to think pleasant and restful
thoughts, ignoring for a while the troubles of the day. Healthy forms
of recreation (picnics, golf, etc.) are fine ways to release not only the
physical tensions, but some of the mental ones as well.
WAKE UP REFRESHED
44
Exercise and the Heart

There are many misconceptions about exercise and its effect upon
the heart. Exercise is harmful. Nonsense. There is no evidence to
support this contention. There is a large body of opinion which holds
that exercise, appropriate to age and physical condition, continued
through your life span will help to reduce the possibility of heart and
blood vessel disease. Exercise, in mild form of course, is recommended
as part of the recuperative phase in cases of heart or coronary disease.
Evidence is also on hand that indicates exercise is beneficial to the function of the cardio-vascular system.
A healthy heart can obtain many benefits from a good conditioning
program. Research has shown that the heart of a trained person has
a smaller acceleration of pulse rate under stress, and that it returns
more rapidly to its normal rate afterward than that of an untrained
person; that it pumps more blood per beat at rest, and that it can pump
more during exercise; that it has more richly developed small blood
vessels supplying the heart muscle and that it functions more efficiently.
An efficient cardio-vascular system means a better supply of food and
oxygen to the muscles (as blood is the carrier of these items) and a
quicker recuperation after exertion, be it work, play, or exercise.
A CAUTIONARY NOTE. Persons over thirty-five years of age,
and anyone who suspects she may have something wrong with her
heart, should have a thorough medical examination before engaging in
a vigorous exercise program. Experts have noted that a heart already
injured by disease will suffer extra abuse through extreme forms of
exercise. Sudden violent exertion after a period of inactivity is to be
avoided.
EXERCISE YOUR HEART
45
Exercise Strength and Endurance

The strength and endurance of the body can be increased through
regular exercise. Such improvements are primarily localized in the
muscles and organs which are exercisedone cannot strengthen the
arms and shoulders by exercising the legs. To improve the condition of
all muscles one must undertake a program which will provide them
all with work.
The strength of a muscle is measured by the amount of force that
muscle can exert and is dependent upon the size and number of muscle
fibres that can be brought into action at any one time and the frequency
of the nerve impulses to them.
Endurance is concerned with the ability to repeat an action over
and over again, or to sustain a muscular contraction.
Since the fuel for muscular contraction is carried in the blood,
endurance is chiefly dependent upon the functioning of the cardiorespiratory system, (heart, blood vessels, and lungs)that is, the
ability of the body to transport food and oxygen to the muscles, and
waste products away from them, efficiently.
The human body requires proper use to function efficiently and
endure. The body is very different from a machine that wears out
with use. Most persons have noted how the muscles of an arm or a leg
in a cast become smaller and weaker the longer the arm or leg remains
so encased. While this is a dramatic example it is in effect what happens
to the muscles of the body in a milder way when these muscles are not
used enough.
Exercise over and above the normal demands of daily living is
essential to the development of an efficient, strong, and durable body.
The resultant more pleasing appearance and sense of well being are
added benefits that cannot be overlooked.
LEAD A BALANCED LIFE
46
Wishing is not good enough.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The kind permission of the Royal Canadian

The RCAF acknowledges the contribution

Crown Copyrights reserved

Catalogue No. DC72-267

Price subject to change without notice

The XBX Plan for Physical Fitness has been

Physical Fitness - What it Means

Why You Should Be Fit

Read the XBX booklet carefully.

What You Can Do About Fitness

How You Can Use XBX

Why XBX was Developed

How XBX Was Developed

What the XBX Plan Is

How XBX Works

What the Exercises Are For

Each exercise is included because of its contribution in one or

What the Charts Mean

Recommended number of days at each level

Your Fitness Goal

Instructions for Using the XBX Plan

To Start and Progress

Recommended number of days at each level

Exercise IToe Touching

Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, arms over head.

Exercise 2Knee Raising

Stand erect, hands at sides, feet together.

Count. Left and right knee raises count one.

Exercise 3Lateral Bending

Exercise 4Arm Circling

Exercise 5Partial Sit-ups

Start. Lie on back, legs straight and together, arms at sides.

Exercise 6Chest and Leg Raising

Exercise 7Side Leg Raising

Exercise 9Leg Lifting

Start. Stand erect, feet together, arms at sides.

Recommended number of days at each level

Exercise IToe Touching

Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, arms over head.

Exercise 2Knee Raising

Start. Stand erect, feet together, arms at sides.

Exercise 3Lateral Bending

Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, hands at sides.

Exercise 4-Arm Circling

Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, arms at sides.

Exercise 5Rocking Sit-ups

Lie on back, knees bent, feet on floor, arms extended over

Exercise 6Chest and Leg Raising

Exercise 7Side Leg Raising

Exercise 8Knee Push-ups

Count. Each return to starting position counts one.

Recommended number of days at each level

Exercise IToe Touching

Exercise 2Knee Raising

Start. Stand erect, feet together, arms at sides.

Exercise 3Lateral Beading

Start. Stand erect, feet 12 inches apart, arms at sides.