How to be a prime male... by mail

The son of a rugby-playing miner from Dewsbury, John Crossland Tolson – the Mighty Apollon – established himself from the 1930s as a mail-order fitness guru.

His story is being re-told after one of his fitness kits was given to West Yorkshire Archives Service by a former “pupil” from Bath.

It contains pamphlets, a bent iron bar, a wall chart, signed photograph and a money back guarantee.

And while there have been some raised eyebrows at the muscle man’s padded loin cloth among staff, some of the health and fitness tips proffered by the Dewsbury strongman appear to have more enduring qualities, including:

Sleep and rest are of vital importance. Do not lie on your back with your mouth open. Do not have heavy bed clothes and always have your window partly open.

There’s no harm in eating beef. The following are all right in moderation: roast beef, stewed beef, mutton, pork, underdone steaks, kidney, liver, bacon.

Bizarrely, however, he warned followers that “over-eating aggravates the condition of thinness”.

The Mighty Apollon also believed “bad habits” were a cause of problems for men.

One his advice pamphlets warns: “The most frequent case of nerve trouble is bad habits, and it does not matter what kind of habit is involved, late nights, alcoholic indulgence, over work, over smoking or any habit of self-abuse, any or all can and will bring on Neurathenia.”

Archivist David Morris is delighted the fitness kit has been donated to the Archives Service.

“It’s quite rare; I have never come across one before. He took his name from a French strongman who was his idol.

“It is a wonderful little collection, a one-off. When it came in it had everyone in hysterics, it really lifted everyone. The pictures of him in a leopard-print padded loin cloth and slicked-back hair impressed the ladies in the office. They liked his physique.”

The Mighty Apollon was born in 1903 and is thought to have died in Wakefield in 1975.

“We believe that the Mighty Apollon toured the Music Halls of the United Kingdom from 1925 up until the early 1930s,” adds Mr Morris.

“It was then that he started his mail order business and helping the fitness of others.

“The mail order kits ran from the 1930s up until the 1950s; after this we are unsure as to what Apollon did.

“The Mighty Apollon comes across as being very sure that his techniques will work and he guarantees you will see results within seven days. If not he will refund your first payment and return postage.

“Within one of the pamphlets, Apollon sets a challenge to all aspiring strongmen.

“He has allocated a prize fund of £500 to any that can break a six inch nail.

“It would appear that no one took him up on his offer, so as part of his health regime he shows people how it is done.”

As well as offering the health kits, Apollon also sold his own merchandise.

Listed is an Apollon wrist strap, costing 12/6, Imitation Leopard Skin Trunks – “the best quality costing only 20/9” – and Apollon Embrocation, which helps muscles respond quicker and tendons to become stronger.

Graham Hebblethwaite, who oversees the work of the Archives Service, said: “Although we can’t vouch for the system’s effectiveness, it’s amazing how much of the Great Apollon’s fitness advice seem to match that of today – though I’m not sure it’s true that, as he said, ‘overeating leads to thinness’ it’s still a fascinating story.”

Councillor Neil Taggart, chairman of West Yorkshire Joint Services, said: “The Mighty Apollon is just one of the countless stories of local people in the Archives, many of which have sadly been forgotten over the years.”

A talk about Mighty Apollon takes place at the Registry of Deeds, Wakefield, on Friday from 1pm. Book a place by calling 01924 305980.