Callisthenics is the art or practice of exercising the body for the purpose of giving strength to the muscles and grace to the carriage. The term was formerly applied to the physical exercises of females, as gymnastics was to those of males. During the 20th century the term came to mean a type of gymnastic exercise intended to promote health and mu... Found on http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/browse/OC.HTM