In my last post I briefly alluded to shopping at an antique store and buying something awesome. I promised pictures and here they are. Without further ado, I give the “The Mighty Marvel Comics Strength and Fitness Book.”

Published in 1974, this 128 page softcover book written by Ann Picardo and illustrated by Joe Giella details many Marvel superheroes workout routines. It includes a warm-up section with the human torch with exercises called “the Torchie Twist” and “the Johnny Storm Stroll”. It then goes on to sections about stretching with Mr. Fantastic, balance and posture with the Silver Surfer, agility with Spiderman, slimming with the Invisible Woman and strength with the Hulk. Each page gives instructions for the exercises as taught by the heroes and shows the character doing the pose. As if this wasn’t great enough, the ridiculous puns and cheesy writing makes it even better. Below are two pages just so you get the gist.

Ladies, please work out so your husband will notice you.

The book also includes fabulous and proven ideas about working out. The Thing would like you to continue this exercise until you vomit. While the book doesn’t include a warning about consulting your physician before starting a new fitness program like all exercise DVDs these days, it does include an introduction by one Alvin Rober Mintz, M.D. He writes, “Fat people, heed and take notice! As you perform the exercises you’ll be learning in this book, the health you will be gaining can someday make you a superhero!” The best advice, however, comes from Spiderman on the last page of the book.

I don’t know how much this book is worth, but I’m sure at $20 I overpaid. It is easily the coolest thing I’ve bought at an antique store. Price doesn’t matter much though, when it comes my health. I’m taking notice and I’m going to be a superhero soon. With this book, I can’t fail.