Maxalding
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Maxalding is a system of Muscle Control using a form of isometrics.
For many years Maxalding advertised their Body Building and Muscle Control system in Bodybuilding magazines and also on the backs of British Magazines such as Tit-Bits.
The Maxalding system, like the 'Dynamic Tension' system of Charles Atlas and those of others, did not use weights. Where the other systems concentrated on Muscle Development, Maxalding went one stage further and taught muscle control. Their methods of centralisation and central isolation of the abdomen and other exercises must have seemed revolutionary then and as they do not seem to be generally advocated elsewhere, even today, can possibly be considered the same in the 21st Century.
The methods taught had been around since the early 1900s and indeed many of the photos used in the instruction leaflets, even those sold in the 60s and 70s, date from that period.
Maxalding ceased to trade in the late 1970s.
Maxalding (originally called Maxaldo) was a name created from the founders, Maxick and Saldo and first came into being in 1909.
Maxick was a German Strong Man, just over 5' tall, real name Max Sick. He was born in Württemberg on June 28th 1892. He came to this country in 1909 where he met Monte Saldo. He died in South America on 10th May 1961 whilst exploring the Amazon and Matto Grasso rivers. The Maxalding principles are based mainly on exercises and techniques which later appeared in his book 'Muscle Control', written in 1911.
Monte Saldo was the professional name of Alfred Montague Woollaston who was apprenticed to the great Eugen Sandow in 1897. He took on this name at the turn of the 20th century whilst touring Europe demonstrating strength and gymnastics. He was also an artist's model and in 1914 he published a book called 'How to Pose'. He provided the financial means of promoting Maxick's methods and starting the Maxalding postal course.
His son, F.H.C. Woollaston, the youngest of the children, took over, using the professional name of Courtlandt Saldo. He carried on the business until sometime in the late 70s. Court Saldo died in 1983 at the age of 72.
