Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Mighty Joe Young vs. 10 StrongmenThe 1949 film 'Mighty Joe Young' features a number of familiar faces. In a memorable scene, Mr. Joseph Young of Africa plays tug of war with 10 strongmen. The strongmen in question are played by Mac Batchelor and Primo Carnera and famous wrestlers Karl 'Killer' Davis, William 'Wee Willie' Davis, Henry Kulky, Sammy Menacker, Man Mountain Dean, Sammy Stein and 'The Swedish Angel' Phil Olafsson. (The strongmen never had a chance, Mighty Joe easily prevails, pulling them one by one into a pool of water.)
Labels: Mac Batchelor, Man Mountain Dean, Mighty Joe Young, Primo Carnera, Swedish Angel, Tug O War
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The Easton GymThe Easton Gym (also known as the 'Screwball Gym') was started in 1938 by brothers Dale and Harvey Easton and was located on Beverly Boulevard location in Hollywood, California. It was the earliest gym ever established on the West Coast -- and is evidently still in business.
The Easton Gym was well known for the selection of unusual equipment which was designed and built by Harvey Easton and his good friend Jack LaLanne. Easton's was also the place where Vince Gironda got his start.
Labels: Classic Gym, Harvey Easton, Jack LaLanne, The Easton Gym, Unusual Training Equipment, Vince Gironda, West Coast Gym
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Dr. Ed ThomasDr. Ed Thomas was introduced to the Turners and Indian Club swinging as a boy in the mid-1950s. This experience began a life-long interest in traditional physical training techniques. In 1988, Dr. Thomas studied traditional Indian club swinging in Burma for nine months.
Today, Dr. Thomas is a Fulbright Scholar, martial artist and university professor with over 25 years of teaching experience. He is actively involved in teaching and promoting physical training programs in schools and the U.S. Military.
Labels: Dr. Ed Thomas, Ed Thomas, Indian Club Benefits, Indian Clubs
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The York Leg Press MachineFive decades ago, the "Leg Press" meant something entirely different. This "Leg Press Machine" from The York Barbell Company was a way to circumvent a few of the issues normally associated with heavy squatting. Note the other pieces of York Barbell training ephemera: The Calflex, Aristocrat Dumbbells, kettlebell handles, Dumbbell handles and the York Chest Crusher.
Labels: Aristocrat Dumbbells, Dumbbells, kettlebell handles, Leg Press, Leg Press Machine, The Leg Press, The York Leg Press Machine, York Barbell, York Calflex, York Chest Crusher
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Waterman Gymnasium, University of Michigan, 1903In keeping with the saying Mens sana in corpore sano (A healthy mind in a healthy body) the University of Michigan built some of the grandest gymnasia the world had ever seen in the late nineteenth century.
In 1894, the Waterman Gymnasium (pictured right)was completed and was followed two years later by the addition of the Barbour Gymnasium for women (on left.)
Labels: Barbour Gymnasium, Classic Gym, Gymnasiums, University of Michigan, Waterman Gymnasium
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Monday, March 30, 2009
Melvin Wells - The Buffalo HerculesMelvin wells on the cover of the January, 1949 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. That year Wells took the AAU Mr. New York State Bodybuilding contest and won the Most Muscular subdivision at the 1949 AAU Mr. America contest. Well was often called 'The Buffalo Hercules' in honor of his hometown of Buffalo, New York.
Labels: 1949 Mr. America Contest, AAU, Bodybuilder, Cover, Melvin Wells, Most Muscular, Mr. New York State, Strength and Health Magazine
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The Jackson Trio... Easily one of the most amazing photographs ever taken. Jarley Smith, Jewell Waddek, and Jimmy "Muscles" Jackson were known professionally as the "Jackson Trio" as they traveled the country performing on the Vaudeville circuit.
On August 21st, 1934, with the newsreel cameras rolling, the trio balanced precariously on a ledge of the Paramount building overlooking Times Square while this famous picture was taken. While in New York, the trio always trained at Sig Klein's Gym!
Labels: Hand Balancing, Hand Balancing Act, Hand Balancing Feat, Jarley Smith, Jewell Waddek, Jimmy Jackson, Sig Klein's Gym, The Jackson Trio, Vaudeville
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John McCallumYou've probably heard a lot about him, and no doubt read plenty of his articles but probably never actually seen him... Here's a classic shot of the great strength author John McCallum doing what he does best, and that's lifting some iron.
If you're wondering the reason behind McCallum's somewhat unusual attire, this was a series of pictures illustrating his training article on 'Weight Training for the Scuba Diver' which can be found (sans pictures) in the appendix section of The Complete Keys to Progress.
Labels: Barbell, Barbell Curls, John McCallum, Keys to Progress, Strength Author
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Bruce White's Custom Cricket Ball DumbbellLike many grip masters, Australia's Bruce White was very creative in finding new ways to strengthen his hands. In doing so, he came up with this unique challenge: a cricket ball attached to a dumbbell handle. His best performance on this piece of equipment was 190 pounds - performed while keeping the bar perfectly level throughout the entire lift. He was 49 years old and weighed less than 150 pounds at the time .
Labels: Bruce White, Grip Strength, Grip Tools, Hand Strength, Hand Strength Equipment
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Rope ClimbingLike many exercises, rope climbing as a means of building strength and endurance was adapted from the early physical training of the military. Thousands of years ago soldiers and warriors climbed ropes to build upper-body strength and endurance -- and many still do so today for the very same reasons.
This shot features a group of U.S Marines climbing ropes during a typical training session. It was taken on February 1st, 2006 at the Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, North Carolina.
Labels: Climbing Ropes, Military Exercise, Military Training, Physical Training, Rope Climbing
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 Heavy Clubs | Although there actually were a few outlets for finding commercially-made wooden indian clubs, many, like this one, were custom made by local craftsmen. This was especially true of heavier clubs -- those weighing five pounds or more. This particular style of club was popular during the late 1800s and can be seen in the background here. The heavier clubs were very popular among wrestlers and boxers for building shoulder strength. -- something they are still very effective for accomplishing. (You'll want to master the light clubs first though, before moving on to heavier clubs.) |
Labels: Custom Indian Clubs, Heavy Indian Clubs, Indian Club Workout, Indian Clubs, Shoulder Exercise, Shoulder Strength, Wooden Clubs
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Sunday, March 29, 2009
| 1. Alan Stephan 2. Sam Loprinzi 3. Leo Stern 4. Joe Lauriano 5. John Farbotnik 6. Abe Goldberg 7. Victor Nicoletti 8. Kimon Voyages 9. Everett Sinderoff 10. Gene Jantzen 11. Mike Dubel 12. Joseph Thaler 13. John McWilliams 14. Robert McCusie 15. Peter Bonny Most Muscular 1. Sam Loprinzi 2. Alan Stephan |  Alan Stephan |
Labels: 1946 Mr. America Contest, AAU, Alan Stephan, Bodybuilding Contest, Gene Jantzen, John Farbotnik, Kimon Voyages, Leo Stern, Most Muscular, Sam Loprinzi
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Indian Club SwingingAmong the many benefits of regular Indian Club swinging are increased shoulder strength and stability. To obtain these benefits, however, certain traditional movements must be mastered and refined with regular practice. One of these traditional movements is demonstrated sequentially above by Dr. Ed Thomas.
Labels: Ed Thomas, Indian Club Benefits, INdian Club Exercises, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs
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Friday, March 27, 2009
Bruce WhiteIt should be pretty obvious that strong hands make a stronger body. A great example of this concept is Australian grip master Bruce White. In what should come as no surprise, White was a tremendous deadlifter in addition to his prowess at grip feats. Above he deadlifts 633 pounds at a bodyweight of only 148 pounds.
Labels: Australian Grip Master, Australian Strongman, Bruce White, Deadlift, Grip Strength
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Sandbag TrainingDuring the second World War, the military needed a way for large groups of people to build physical condition. Excess iron and steel was needed for the war effort so normal "weights" were out...
Instead, they instituted a system of physical training which utilized sandbags. Above shows a session of sandbag training at the U.S. Navy pre-flight School in Athlens, Georgia, circa 1942.
Labels: Odd Object Lifting, Overhead Press, Sandbag Overhead Press, Sandbag Strength Training, Sandbag Training, Upper Body Exercise
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Sandow's Adjustable Grip Testing DumbbellsA rare look at the box for a later version of Eugen Sandow's grip dumbbells. Unlike earlier versions, which had only springs, these had molded handles and rung a bell when the handles were squeezed together.
Labels: Dumbbells, Equipment, Grip Equipment, Sandow's Grip Dumbbells
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Thursday, March 26, 2009
Edgar Muller's GymEdgar Muller's Gym in Leipzig, Germany where Hermann Goerner did most of his training. Note the posters of the Saxon Trio performing their human bridge feat, Goerner in the middle, Pagel's Circus and the incredible selection of kettlebells.
Labels: Circus Poster, Circus Strongman, Classic Strongman Gyms, Edgard Muller, Hermann Goerner, Human Bridge, Kettlebells, Saxon Trio
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Dan LurieBrooklyn-born Dan Lurie won the "Most Muscular" subdivision and finished second in the AAU Mr. America contest in 1942, 1943 and 1944. He went on to become a very successful gym owner, magazine publisher and TV strongman. He also established the Dan Lurie Barbell Company which produced barbells and plates primarily on the east coast.
As a strongman, he performed 1655 push ups in 90 minutes, a bent press of 285 pounds (at a bodyweight of 168 pounds) and backlifted 1810 pounds.
Labels: Back Lift, Bent Press, Dan Lurie, Globe Dumbbell, Most Muscular, Mr. America, Mr. America Contest, Pushups
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Al ChristensenHere's Al Christensen, of the Bosco weightlifting club performing a pretty amazing feat: he could clean and jerk 230 pounds while on his knees. You won't be seeing that one again any time soon.
Al won the AAU Mr. Florida bodybuilding contest in 1951 and appeared on the cover of Strength and Health Magazine. His wife Vera was also a long-time columnist in Strength and Health.
Labels: AAU, Al Christensen, Bosco, Clean and Jerk, Mr. Florida, Strength and Health Magazine, Vera Christensen
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Staff Sgt. MossStaff Sgt. Moss Alfred Moss joined the British Army at 16 years old but did not begin serious weight lifting until 25. After only six months of training he was able to lift 162 pounds overhead with one hand. Aside from many traditional strongman and weightlifting feats, Moss was also very adept at gymnastic feats.
Labels: British Strongman, Gymnastics, Staff Sgt Moss
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Wednesday, March 25, 2009
| Louis Chiarelli, of New York City, is pictured here setting a record for his bodyweight by pressing (but not pulling over) 308 pounds while in the wrestler's bridge. Chirelli was 5'2" and 155 pounds at the time although this is an impressive feat at any bodyweight. Picture dates to 1929. |  Louis Chiarelli |
Labels: Bridge Press, Louis Chiarelli, New York Strongman, Pullover
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Norb SchemanskyNorb Schemansky training at the York Gym in York, PA while preparing for the 1964 Olympics. Norb ended up winning the Bronze medal with a 537.5 kg total, making him the first weightlifter to win four Olympic medals.
Labels: Norb Schemansky, York Barbell, York Barbell Club t-shirt
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Sledge Hammer Levering'Bull' Bonvicin levers a heavy sledge hammer back in the late 50's. Note the perfect form. -- It was impressive then, and probably even more impressive now.
Labels: Bull Bovicin, Sledge Hammer Exercise, Sledge Hammer Leverage, Sledge Hammer Strength, Sledge Hammer Training, sledge Hammers
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The Dinosaur FilesAfter the incredible success of Dinosaur Training, the Dino-maniacs all over the world wanted even more old school strength training info. Brooks Kubik answered the call with a newsletter entitled "The Dinosaur Files." The 'Files ran for three years before eventually ceasing publication. There is talk, however, that Brooks may be starting The Dinosaur Files up once again. Stay tuned...
Labels: Brooks Kubik, Newsletter, The Dinosaur Files, The Dinosaur Files Newsletter
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Apollon - "Le Roi des Athletes"An extremely rare posterof the great French Strongman Apollon. he was called "Le Roi des Athletes" (The King of Athletes) for good reason, even a hundred years later no one has even come close to bettering any of his feats. He is shown performing a Muscle Out with a ring weight and a small horse! Apollon's famous wheels are pictured as well.
Labels: Apollon, Apollon's Wheels, Feats of Strength, French Strongman, Muscle Out, Poster, Ring Weights
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IsometricsIsometrics were all the rage back in the 50's and 60's. Here weightlifting and bodybuilding champion Steve Stanko gets in a quick bicep workout using the Isometric Power Rack -- looks like it's working pretty well.
Isometrics are not one of my favorite training techniques but plenty of modern day strongmen (such as Steve Justa and Dennis Rogers) use them with great success.
(Note: We do NOT have Isometric Power Racks for sale or know where you can find one.)
Labels: Arm Exercise, Dennis Rogers, Isometric Power Rack, Isometric Training, Isometrics, Power Rack, Steve Justa, Steve Stanko, York Barbell Club t-shirt, York Barbell Company, York Power Rack
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Lorenz GeerLorenz Geer, the popular oldtime strongman from Munich, Germany, was known as "King of The Snatch" in the later part of the 19th century. He achieved a right-hand snatch of 165 pounds and 9 reps with 142 pounds. Geer was particularly fond of working with thick-handled equipment.
Labels: German Strongman, Lorenz Geer, Oldtime Strongman, one arm snatch, Thick Handle
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Jowett Barbell PlatesLike many strongmen, George Jowett had his own brand of barbell plates. These were likely cast by the same foundry which produced equipment for the Milo Barbell Company. Jowett and Alan Calvert were both based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the time and also worked together on several projects.
Labels: Alan Calvert, Barbell Plate, Equipment, George Jowett, Jowett Barbell Plates, Milo Barbell Company, Oldtime Strength Equipment
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Karl AbsKarl Abs, known as "The German Oak" was the first man in Germany to continental and jerk 330 pounds. He accomplished this feat back in 1885. He also won the European Greco-Roman Heavyweight Championship in 1894.
Labels: German Oak, German Strongman, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Karl Abs, Wrestler
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Monday, March 23, 2009
Marijan MatijevicMarijan Matijevic was a great Croatian strongman who was popular during the turn of the century. He won his first medals for strength feats and wrestling when he was 21years old and collected more as the years passed. He had a standing offer that anyone who could defeat him in feats of strength could have his entire collection of medals. He was adept at bending steel, barrel lifting, stone breaking and lifting thick-handled globe barbells.
Labels: Barrel Lifting, Croatian Strongman, Feats of Strength, Marijan Matijevic, Steel Bending, Stone Breaking, Thick Bar Lifting, Wrestler
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John GaranJohn Garan began serious physical training after meeting the famous New York strongman Abe Boshes and went on to build one of the most incredible physique of all time.
At a bodyweight of only 155 pounds Garan could regularly squat with over 300 and was also an excellent wrestler. He regularly trained at Sig Klein's Gym and was featured in "Klein's Bell".
Labels: Abe Boshes, Early Bodybuilder, Globe Barbell, John Garan, Klein's Bell, Sig Klein's Gym, Wrestler
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The York Barbell Club Classic T-ShirtA strength tradition since the 50's, the number of Champions who lifted for the York Barbell Club is staggering. Today, the tradition of the York Barbell Club still lives on.
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Ring WeightsOne of the most interesting pieces of training equipment often used by many of the oldtime strongmen were ring weights. An early version of the kettlebell, ringweights were most often used for a variety of training techniques including throwing, such as in the Scottish Highland Games (in which the 56-pound weight for height is contested) as well as the popular oldtime lift "the muscle out."
Labels: 56-Pound Weight, Ancient Kettlebells, Antique Equipment, Equipment, Highland Game Events, Highland Games, Kettlebell, Muscle Out, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Ring Weights, Weight Throwing
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The Good MorningIf you want to build strong legs, you need to build a strong back. Paul Anderson knew this, and it was a big reason he was squatting with 1200+ pounds back in the 1950's. A plain Olympic set will work for most people, of course, when you move the kind of weight that Paul Anderson could, you may need something a little more heavy duty.
Labels: Back Strength, Good Morning, Leg Strength, Paul Anderson, Squat
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| Leverage exercises are a great method for building wrist and forearm strength, something that John Grimek certainly understood very well. You can use a simple dumbbell handle loaded on one end just like Grimek is using... a sledge hammer works well too. Either way, leverage exercise are a very good way to train with a very high resistance level without needing a lot of actual weight. This also makes them a perfect choice for getting in a quick workout while traveling. Another great option is the Weaver Stick. When it comes to sledge hammer levering though, the man to beat is Slim the Hammer Man... his World-record front lever lift with a pair of hammers - 56 pounds on 31 inch shafts -- totaled 1,736 inch pounds of resistance. |  Leverage Exercises |
Labels: Grip Strength, Leverage Exercises, Leverage Feat, Sledge Hammer Leverage, Sledge Hammer Training, Wrist Strength, York Barbell Club t-shirt
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Saturday, March 21, 2009
Gotch vs. HackenschmidtThe greatest pro wrestling match ever held is undoubtedly on April 3rd, 1908 when the Frank Gotch and George "The Russian Lion" Hackenschmidt stepped in the ring to face each other after years of build-up. The undefeated Hackenschmidt was favored to win but after two hours of grappling, he finally submitted to an ankle lock by the American Champion Gotch. The match took place at Chicago's Dexter Park Pavilion.
The pair would face each other once again on September 4, 1911, this time at Comiskey Park in front of 30,000 fans. Gotch won the rematch in two straight falls and would go on to hold the heavyweight title until he retired in 1913.
Labels: Frank Gotch, George Hackenschmidt, Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt, Professional Wrestling, Wrestling Match
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Friday, March 20, 2009
York Aristocrat DumbbellsYork Aristocrat Dumbbells were a pretty nifty regular feature in the pages of Strength and Health Magazine... and great for a quick workout too. The Aristocrat Dumbbells were based on an earlier design by George Jowett.
Labels: Aristocrat Dumbbells, Dumbbell Exercises, Dumbbell Training, Dumbbells, Strength and Health Magazine, York Barbell Company, York Dumbbell
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Young Thomas InchThomas Inch as he looked when he looked at the time when he won the World's Middleweight weightlifting title (around 1907). His potential for great strength is obvious even at that young age.
As time passed he only grew stronger...
Inch went on to achieve a Two Hands Anyhow lift of 356-1/2 pounds, a two dumbbell jerk of 276 pounds, a one-arm push of 201 pounds, and a bent-press of 304-1/2 pounds.
Labels: Bent Press, Dumbbell Jerk, Dumbbell Lifts, One Arm Push, Thomas Inch, Two Hands Anyhow
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Billy CannonFor a number of years strength training was frowned upon with in athletics. Lifting weights was thought to make athletes slower and musclebound... One of the key figures in changing this attitude was Billy Cannon. He was one of the first high profile athletes who regularly lifted weights. Here he is featured on the November 1959 issue of Strength and Health magazine, a month after he won the Heisman Trophy.
Labels: Billy Cannon, Football, Strength and Health Magazine
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MaxickThe amazing Maxick was best known for his muscle control ability, but he still moved some very impressive weights. Maxick could swing a 150-pound dumbbell - a dumbbell as heavy as his own bodyweight. He could also overhead press over 230 pounds. He was also a very good hand balancer, and could easily walk up and down a flight of stairs on his hands.
Labels: Dumbbell Swing, Hand Balancing, Maxick, Muscle Control, Press
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45 lb. York Barbell PlateFor years anything manufactured by the York Barbell Company was the standard... and if you wanted quality barbell plates, they were the folks to see. Hang on to your vintage York plates, they are hard to come by.
Labels: 45 Pound Plate, York Barbell, York Barbell Company
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Thursday, March 19, 2009
Bob Hoffman's Simplified System of Swingbell TrainingBob Hoffman and the York Barbell Company produced a number of books, courses and training guides featuring their equipment. This course, written for the York swingbell was written during the early 1940s. You can make your own swingbell pretty easily out of a dumbbell handle and some plates.
Labels: Bob Hoffman, swingbell, Swingbell Exercises, Swingbell Training, Training Course, York Barbell, York Barbell Company
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Gustav FristenskyCzechoslovakian-born Gustav Fristensky was known professionally as "The Bavarian Hercules" -- and he was aptly named. He once ran the 100 meter dash in 14 seconds while also carrying an extra 90 kg. He was also very good at repetition lifting, having been able to jerk 176 pounds 26 times and 220 pounds 18 times.
Like many strongmen of the day he was also a very good wrestler and won the World Championship in 1903. Fristensky's wrestling coach was George Hackenschmidt's good friend George Lurich.
Labels: Czechoslovakian Strongman, George Hackenschmidt, George Lurich, Gustav Fristensky, Oldtime Strongman, The Bavarian Hercules, Wrestler
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Reg Park JournalChampion bodybuilder... Movie Star... Gym Owner... You can also add magazine editor and publisher to the long list of Reg Park's accomplishments. From 1954 through 1958, Reg published "The Reg Park Journal" on a monthly basis and, as you might expect, its pages were filled with great training information.
Here's the cover of the September 1954 issue featuring Reg and the very glamourous Shirley Eaton. If you don't immediately recognize the name, she was the gal famously painted gold from head to toe in the James Bond movie Goldfinger.
Labels: Bodybuilding Magazine, Cover, Muscle Magazine, Reg Park, The Reg Park Journal
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The Infinity ScrollAll of the great steel-bending strongmen all had their signature scroll. Master scroller Erik Vining calls his "The Infinity Scroll" and is featured above. If you want to find out how to create this unique piece, Erik shows you step by step in Basic Scrolling -- and it aint easy.
Labels: Bending, Bending Feat, Erik Vining, Infinity Scroll, Steel Bending, Steel Scrolling
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| As simple as it is, the common sledge hammer is a truly versatile piece of training equipment. It can be swung for conditioning work, much like chopping wood, it can be levered like the Slim the Hammer Man, which will build great grip and forearm strength, or it can be used like a typical (albeit unbalanced) freeweight, which is a great way to add a new dimension to typical exercises. |  Sledge Hammer Training |
Labels: Sledge Hammer Exercise, Sledge Hammer Leverage, Sledge Hammer Strength, Sledge Hammer Training, sledge Hammers, Sledgehammer, Sledgehammers, Unusual Training Equipment
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Young Lionel StrongfortLionel Strongfort's most famous feat was The Human Bridge where he supported 3-1/2 tons in the Tomb of Hercules. It was this feat by which he traveled the country amazing audiences and becoming a household word. On the advice of his mentor Professor Attila, Strongfort established one of the first, if not the first mail order phsyical culture businesses in 1898. Known as "Strongfortism" his mail order business lasted until around World War II. As you can see, Strongfort was also a fan of kettlebells.
Labels: Human Bridge, Kettlebell, Lionel Strongfort, Mail Order Course, Mail Order Muscle Courses, Oldtime Strongman, Strongfortism, The Tomb of Hercules
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Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Wooden Indian ClubsIn the early days, Indian clubs were not often commercially available so many of them were custom made by individuals. Of course, many club swingers designed their own anyway in order to train with clubs of different weights and styles.
These clubs came from a private collection. Note the shorter but fatter clubs in the foreground and the intricate designs on the others. Some of the handles are also knurled for a better grip. A lot of thought went into the design and care of these clubs.
Labels: Custom Indian Clubs, Indian Clubs, Vintage Indian Clubs, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Small Thomas Inch DumbbellsThomas Inch is famous for the Thomas Inch Challenge Dumbbell which weighs 172 pounds... What most people do not know, however, is that there where actually three other Inch Dumbbells which were smaller and which allowed him to progressively gain strength in order to lift the biggest one. The smaller "Inch" bells weighed 75, 140 and 153 pounds respectively.
Since the original Inch Dumbbell is now sitting in my living room back home, I recently, decided to commission a series of smaller bells which would not only keep that tradition alive but also better help in bridging the gap while training with the 172-pound Inch bell.
These dumbbells were cast in a far off land and brought to the U.S. at great personal expense. They are currently the only bells of this sort on U.S. soil. The two larger ones weigh 53 kg (116.6 pounds) and the two smaller bells in the back weight 40 kg (88 pounds). I wanted to get a pair of each size for farmer's walk training.
You'll be seeing these bells in action soon...
Labels: Globe Dumbbells, Grip Equipment, Inch Dumbbell, Small Inch Dumbbells, Thick Handle, Thomas Inch, Thomas Inch Dumbbells
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The Captain's WheelHere's a very unusual piece of training equipment made by the Narragansett Machine Company: The Captain's Wheel. It was obviously an adaptation of the steering mechanism of a vessel, albeit, this version had a friction brake which allowed for increased resistance. Using this device a trainee could build a "different" kind of rotational strength by twisting or wrenching it from side to side. This was marketed specifically for wrestlers.
Also, just to give you an idea of the type of quality that the Narragansett machine Company was known for, the arms were made of Ash, the rims were made of Cherry and the mountings consisted of polished brass.
Labels: Core Strength Training, Narragansett Machine Company, Physical Culture Equipment, The Captain's Wheel, Unique Equipment
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Noel Le GauloisThe French strongman Noel Le Gaulois was the man to beat at certain lifts in the late 19th century. At the Brussels exhibition of 1897, he performed a two-arm snatch with 220 pounds, a 253-pound two-arm jerk and a 143-pound one-arm snatch... All lifts which would still be respectable a century later.
He could also lift a full wine barrel. Like many strongmen of the period, he was also a very good wrestler. Later on, Le Gaulois owned a café/gymnasium which was the gathering place for the famous strongmen of the day.
Labels: Barrel Lifting, French Strongman, Globe Barbell, Jerk, Noel Le Gaulois, Oldtime Strongman, one arm snatch, Snatch
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The College of the City of New York GymnasiumThe College of the City of New York Gymnasium, circa 1916. Note the 18 full sets of wall pulleys, dumbbells, Indian Clubs and the elevated track. Pretty much everything you need -- looks like a great place to get in a workout.
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Gymnasiums, Indian Clubs, New York Gym, Wall Pulleys, Wooden Dumbbells
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Monday, March 16, 2009
T.H. Sarkari - The Indian SandowT.H. Sarkari lifting in a contest circa 1920. Sarkari was known as "The Indian Sandow" for promoting the importance of physical training and weight lifting in his native country.
Labels: Eugen Sandow, Globe Barbell, Indian Sandow, T.H. Sarkari
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Jim Jeffries If there's one thing that most strength athletes need more of, it is conditioning work. This was well understood by the legendary boxing champion Jim Jeffries. Check out the training schedule that he undertook in 1899 in order to face Bob Fitzsimmons for the Heavyweight Championship of the world:
"For this fight Jeffries ran some 14 miles in the morning, alternating between a jog and a 100-yard sprint, without stopping to walk or rest and finishing the run within two hours. In the afternoon, he played three games of handball, punched the bag for 20 or 25 minutes straight, and skipped rope 1,500 to 2,500 times.Jeffries knocked out Fitzsimmons in the 11th round, and in the 8th round in their remach which occured three years later. Interestingly, Jeffries' wrestling coach during his training camps was none other than Farmer Burns - we'll have more on that subject later on.
He would then box from 12 to 16 rounds, and 'wrestle around' or toss an 18-pound medicine ball."
Labels: Bob Fitzsimmons, Boxing, Boxing Training, Boxing Workout, Conditioning, Heavy Weight, Jim Jeffries, Medicine Ball Training, Oldtime Boxers, Road Work
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Sunday, March 15, 2009
Sandow PinsEugen Sandow lent his famous face to "endorsement deals" just like many modern athletes. Here's an ad for "Sandow Pins" from around 1910. These were obviously stronger than any other pins available at the time.
Labels: Advertisement, Eugen Sandow, Sandow Pins
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Early Milo Barbell Company AdBack in 1902 when Alan Calvert established the Milo Barbell Company this is the type of equipment he started out with: a canister shape which had a compartment for barbell plates as well as a compartment which could be shot-loaded for micro progression. The Milo Barbell Company switched to the more practical Globed equipment shortly afterwards. The $7.50 price tag in 1902 equates to around $180 in today's money when adjusted for inflation.
Labels: Advertisement, Milo Barbell, Milo Barbell Company, Shot Loaded, Shot Loaded Barbells
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The Human Vise Strikes Again!Why do they call Pat Povilaitis the Human Vise? This collection of bent steel should explain it: About fifty bounds of bent, mangles steel: nails, spikes, horseshoes, rebar, bolts, wrenches, drill bits... nothing is safe when "The Vise" does his thing.
Labels: Bend Spikes, Bending, Bending Feat, Bent Horseshoes, Bent Steel, Bolt Bending, Human Vise, Nail Bending, Pat Povilaitis, Steel Bending
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York DumbbellsFor a long time, the solid dumbbells produced by the The York Bartbell Company were of the globe variety. Sometime around the early 80's they switched to the dumbbell shown here. This style was made until the late 90's. Today, they are quite rare. If you have any dumbbells like these, hang on to them, but don't let them just gather dust, use 'em!
Labels: Equipment, Solid Dumbbells, York Barbell, York Barbell Company, York Dumbbells, York Equipment
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Pushing, Pulling, Carrying and Dragging"Pushing, Pulling, Carrying and Dragging" pretty much sums up the foundation of a successful training program... and that is exactly what you'll be doing if you stop by Dr. Ken's place for a workout. Here's a look at a few of the unusual pieces of training equipment you'd be using: custom barbells to lift, anchor chain for dragging and other various rusty chunks of iron.
Labels: Anchor Chain, Car Pushing, Carrying, Dr. Ken Leistner, Dr. Ken Workout, Dragging, Odd Object Lifting, Odd Objects, Pulling
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The Edward Aston Physical Culture MedalMany mail order Strongmen had their own medal or prize for students who finished the course. Here's a look at an incredibly rare one: The Edward Aston Physical Culture Medal. Even most people who have "been around" strength training for a long time will not have ever even seen it. The medal is shown here about twice actual size.
Labels: Edward Aston, Mail Order Course, Mail Order Muscle Courses, The Edward Aston Physical Culture Medal
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Saturday, March 14, 2009
"The Tipton Slasher" Benny Yanger"The Tipton Slasher" Benny Yanger gets in a workout with the wall pulley at an oldtime Chicago gym circa 1906. Note the small dumbbell which has been added to the weight stack. Like most boxers of that era, Benny was also fond of throwing the medicine ball around to build upper body strength and stamina. Over his career, the New York lightweight was 51-9.
Labels: Benny Yanger, Boxing, Boxing Training, Classic Gym, Medicine Ball Training, Oldtime Boxers, Upper Body Exercise, Wall Pulleys
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Dr. RouhetDr. Rouhet, the great French physical culture instructor, shows off his ability and his training equipment. His favorite feat was to muscle out a 44-pound French ring weight which he does here while also pressing a huge globe dumbbell. Among the other great oldtime equipment, note the heavy indian club on the left. The picture dates to 1910.
Labels: Dr. Georges Rouhet, Dr. Rouhet, French Strongman, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Heavy Indian Clubs, Muscle Out, Physical Culture, Press
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Friday, March 13, 2009
Gus Hill: Champion Club Swinger of The World" As a means of physical culture, the Indian Clubs stand pre-eminent among the varied apparatus of gymnastics now in use. The evolutions which the clubs are made to perform, in the hands of one accustomed to their use, are exceedingly graceful.
Besides the great recommendation of simplicity, the Indian Club practice possesses the essential property of expanding the chest and exercising every muscle in the body concurrently.
Note in the crowded thoroughfare of Broadway now and then an occasional passer-by, with well-knit and shapely form, firm and elastic step, broad-chested and full blooded, and you may mark him down as an expert with the clubs."
Gus Hill,
Club Swinging Champion
circa 1890
Labels: Club Swinging Champion, Gus Hill, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture, Physical Culture Equipment
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| David "Bull" Bonvicin was a popular performing strongman from Montana. He specialized in many of the traditional strongman feats which focused on grip and forearm strength such as ripping phone books, levering sledge hammers and bending spikes (as he is shown doing here.) Note the above average forearm development which obviously came from frequently practicing these oldtime feats. If you want to know more about his training, Bonvicin is profiled in Physical Training Simplified by Mark H. Berry. |  David "Bull" Bonvicin |
Labels: Bull Bovicin, David Bull Bonvicin, Forearm Development, Forearm Strength, Grip Development, Grip Strength, Oldtime Strongman, Phonebook Ripping, Spike Bending, Steel Bending
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Primo CarneraYou may know that "The Preem" Primo Carnera was the Heavyweight boxing Champion of the world from 1933-1934 but you probably didn't know that he was also a performing strongman as well. He achieved a one-hand snatch of 220 pounds and could clean and jerk over 300 -- pretty good for someone who was 6'6".
Labels: Boxing, Clean and Jerk, Globe Barbell, Italian Strongman, Oldtime Boxers, One hand Snatch, Primo Carnera, Strongman
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 Stone Lifting in Ancient Greece | Every ancient culture has evidence of stone lifting as a method of physical preparation. The Ancient Greeks often portrayed stone lifting and other athletic events on their pottery. This piece of pottery dates to about 500BC and shows a young man lifting a smaller stone in either hand. |
Labels: Ancient Greece, Pottery, Stone Lifting, Stone Lifting in Ancient Greece
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Thursday, March 12, 2009
Fred WintersFred Winters of the New Westside Athletic Club of New York won the Silver Medal in the Dumbell Lifting portion of the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis. The competition consisted of nine individual dumbbell lifting events with the tenth event being an original feat of strength of the competitors choice.
Fred did very well and was in the lead after the dumbbell events. For his choice feat he performed six one-arm pushups with 105 extra pounds of weight strapped to his back... but it was only good enough for second place.
Labels: 1904 Olympics, Dumbbell, Dumbbell Competition, Dumbbell Contest, Dumbbell Feats, Dumbbell Training, Fred Winters, Olympic Athlete, Silver Medal
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Arthur SaxonArthur Saxon could lift more weight overhead with one arm than most people could with two. In his performances though, audiences were far more impressed with when he lifted human weights than when he lifted iron.
In fact, the feat that often 'brought the house down' was when Arthur lifted his two brothers (Kurt on the left, Herman on the right) with this specially made barbell.
Labels: Arthur Saxon, Bent Press, Bent Press Feat, Herman Saxon, Kurt Saxon, Saxon Trio
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The Hammer Strength Neck MachineEveryone should train their neck, but it is especially important if you play football. The Hammer Strength neck machine is the best one I have ever used -- and I've tried 'em all. Do it strict with no monkey business and you'll go up a few collar sizes in no time.
Labels: Build Neck Strength, Hammer Strength, Hammer Strength Neck Machine, Neck Development, Neck Machine, Neck Strength, Strength machine
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The Back-Press AnyhowThe anyhow lifts are so named since you get to lockout anyhow you can. Sometimes the results may look a little unusual but they get the job done. Shown in the Back-Press Anyhow performed by the British strand pulling champion Derek Rogers. The Back-Press Anyhow was part of a series of three competitive strand pulling exercises often referred to as the "strength set."
Labels: Anyhow Lift, Back Press, British Strongman, Chest Expanders, Competitive Strand Pulling, Strand Pulling, Strand Pulling Contests, Strand Pulling Exercises, Strength Set, The Back Press Anyhow
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The Narragansett Machine CompanyAt the turn of the century, The Narragansett Machine Company was the very first widespread manufacturer of physical training equipment. They made everything from Climbing Ropes and Indian clubs to traveling rings, Wall Pulleys climbing ladders, and even sophisticated strength machines made very eloquently with oak and brass.
I didn't realize it until much later but my grade school gym was outfitted back in the 1920's entirely with classic physical training equipment from The Narragansett Machine Company -- and we were still using it fifty years later.
Labels: Antique Equipment, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, Gymnastic Rings, Indian Clubs, Narragansett Machine Company, Physical Culture Equipment, Physical Training, Providence Rhode Island, Wall Pulleys
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The York CalflexOne interesting training 'gizmo' from strength training yesteryear is the York Barbell Calflex. According to the literature the York Calflex allowed the tension to be increased in both directions for complete calf development. Nice.
Labels: Calf Development, Equipment, Unusual Training Equipment, York Barbell, York Barbell Company, York Calflex
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Basil KorolevBasil Korolev was Russian by birth but left his native land in 1919 at the start of the revolution. He settled in Japan were he was undefeated in Judo and boxing contests and held the heavyweight title in both sports until his retirement in 1936.
Here is Basil at a strength demonstration curling a pair of 80-pound kettlebells with only his little fingers.
Labels: Basil Korolev, Boxing, Curl, Finger Strength, Judo, Kettlebell, Mother Russia, One Finger Lift, Russian Kettlebells, Russian Strongman
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Charles Rigoulot: One Arm SnatchCharles Rigoulot was the last great lifter to forgo shot-loaded equipment in favor of plate-loaded equipment. He was the first man to clean and jerk over 400 pounds as well as lift Apollon's Wheels. Rigoulot broke 57 weightlifting records over the course of his career, one of which was a one-arm snatch of 261 pounds. Rigoulot was also a very successful professional wrestler and his greatest match was against Milo Steinborn.
Labels: Charles Rigoulot, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk Record, Globe Barbell, Milo Steinborn, one arm snatch, Plate-Loaded, Professional Wrestling, Shot Loaded
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Dave Sheppard Lifts Apollon's DumbbellA famous picture of Dave Sheppard lifting a classic stage dumbbell that once belonged to the French strongman Apollon. This is the very same dumbbell that I can be seen lifting here. You can't tell by the picture but the handle is made of polished brass, and a true work of art.
Labels: Apollon, Apollon's Dumbbell, Dave Sheppard, Globe Dumbbell, Thick Handle
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Neck Training With Sonny ListonThe great boxer Sonny Liston used to strengthen his neck by doing a headstand on a table and working his body back and forth then left and right, in order to hit all four "sides" of the neck.
I can say from experience that this a very effective movement.
This picture was taken in 1962 while Liston was in training to face Floyd Patterson for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. In the fight, Liston knocked out Patterson in the first round and then did so again in the rematch the next year. - He was a bad man.
Labels: Bodyweight Exercise, Bodyweight Training, Boxing, Boxing Training, Floyd Patterson, Neck Strength, Neck Training, Sonny Liston
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Chinese Stone Padlocks in ActionThe Shaolin Monks referred to traditional stone lock training as Shi-Suo and have been using them for centuries. These stone weights are lifted, pressed, thrown and caught in a variety of ways in order to build upper body strength and stamina. Based on how they are used, stone locks are obviously a distant relative of the kettlebell.
Labels: Chinese Stone Lock, Equipment, Kettlebell, Martial Arts, Martial Arts Training, Shaolin Monks, Shi-Suo, Stone Lock, Stone Weight, Traditional Exercise
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Joseph Vitole's Record Teeth LiftA look at Joseph Vitole's world record teeth lift of 550 pounds which he accomplished in 1922. Vitole was a student of Earle E. Liederman and weighed only 150 pounds at the time.
Labels: Earle E. Liederman, Feat, Jaw Strength, Joseph Vitole, Neck Strength, Strength Feat, Teeth Lifting
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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Sled PushingOldtime football players used to push wooden sleds to build leg strength and stamina. This was good for conditioning although not so much for football technique -- either way, it's a great workout. This picture shows the Harvard football team training circa 1910. Sleds like these are actually still made for training purposes although if you don't have one, you can always push a car for a similar effect.
Labels: Car Pushing, Conditioning, Conditioning Workout, Football, Football Training, Leg Strength, Sled Pushing, Stamina, Wooden Sled
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The Thomas Inch Challenge GripperThomas Inch is probably most famous for his Challenge Dumbbell but what a lot of people don't know is that he had a challenge gripper as well. Above shows Mr. Inch on a visit to the Viking weightlifting club in England. Even though he was 68 years old at the time Inch was still the only man in the place who was successfully able to close it.
Labels: Challenge Weight, Grip Strength, Gripper Training, Hand Gripper, Hand Gripper Training, Thomas Inch, Thomas Inch Gripper, Vintage Hand Gripper
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"Big Steve" MarjanianOne of the fixtures at the old Muscle Beach scene was "Big Steve" Marjanian... and here's one reason why they called him "Big Steve" ... an incline press with 440 pounds which was close to, if not the, World record.
Labels: Barbell, Incline Press, Muscle Beach, Steve Marjanian
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Sunday, March 08, 2009
Bob Hoffman: The Bent PressBob Hoffman's favorite lift was the bent press. Here's Bob pressing about 240 pounds. Note the sweat-shirt, this helped create more friction for the upper body and prevent slippage during the lift.
Labels: Barbell, Barbell Lift, Bent Press, Bob Hoffman
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Muscle Builder Magazine Volume 2, No. 1, September, 1924Lionel Strongfort on the cover of the Sepember, 1924 issue of Macfadden's Muscle Builder Magazine. This issue included articles on boxing and wrestling, as well as abdominal training and the wrestler's bridge.
Labels: Abdominal Training, Bernarr Macfadden, Cover, Lionel Strongfort, Muscle Builder, Muscle Builder Magazine, Muscle Magazine, Wrestlers Bridge
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Indian Club Swinging"Club swinging can be described as circular weight training but can exercise the shoulder, wrist and elbow in ways not possible with traditional linear weight training. Club swinging will not only strengthen muscles and ligaments, maintain joint flexibility and improve range of motion but will greatly reduce risk of injury.
You will also notice improved grace, rhythm and eye-hand coordination due to the concentration and neural demands necessary to perform the movements. The benefits of Indian Club Exercises are enormous and can greatly enhance the performance of any athlete." - Dr. Ed Thomas
Labels: Circular weight training, Club Swinging, Indian Club Benefits, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Club Workout, Indian Clubs, Shoulder Strength, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Reg Park: Chest Expander TrainingThree time Mr. Universe winner and bodybuilding legend Reg Park was a big fan of chest expanders. He included them in his workouts frequently and even created and sold his own brand, which are shown above.
Labels: Bodybuilding, Chest Expanders, Mr. Universe, Reg Park, Reg Park Workout, Training Equipment
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Indian Strongman Monotosh RoyMonotosh Roy was a highly respected strongman, bodybuilder and physical culture practicioner in his native India. He was famed for his tremendous muscularity and won his class in the 1951 Mr. Universe Contest. As a strongman, he was particularly good at traditional strength feats such as bending steel.
Labels: Bodybuilder, Indian Strongman, Monotosh Roy, Mr. Universe, Steel Bending
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The Dumbbell GripperA highly imaginative combination of a classic wooden dumbbell and a hand gripper.
I have no idea of the story behind this one... It dates to the early 1900's if not earlier. If it was commercially made I have never seen it advertised anywhere and if it was homemade whoever was behind it did an exceptionally good job. Either way, here it is.
Labels: Dumbbell, Grip Equipment, Grip Strength, Hand Gripper, Vintage Hand Gripper, Wooden Dumbbells
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Saturday, March 07, 2009
Doug Hepburn's Favorite FeatOne of Doug Hepburn's favorite feats was to muscle out a 45-pound plate hanging from his pinky finger -- an amazing display of shoulder and grip strength. As evident here, Hepburn could do this with either hand.
Labels: 45 Pound Plate, Doug Hepburn, Finger Strength, Grip Feat, Grip Strength, Muscle Out, Shoulder Strength
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Traditional Athletics:Indian ClubsMany countries represent their traditional sporting events on their stamps. Here's one from Afghanistan showing an athlete swinging large indian clubs (also called Meels).
Labels: Heavy Indian Club Swinging, Heavy Indian Clubs, Indian Clubs, Meels, Stamp, Traditional Exercise
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Friday, March 06, 2009
Milo Barbell PlatesAlan Calvert began the Milo Barbell Company in 1902 and manufactured primarily globe barbells and dumbbells. In 1935, The Milo Barbell Company was purchased by Bob Hoffman as he established the York Barbell Company. Hoffman, however, still kept the name alive and sold "Milo Barbell" plates and bars for years afterwards. This is an example of one of the later "Milo Barbell" plates. -- Not quite the same as the old globes but still fun to train with.
Labels: Alan Calvert, Barbell Plate, Bob Hoffman, Equipment, Milo Barbell, Milo Barbell Company, Milo Barbell Plate, Weight Plate
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A Man Ahead of His Time: Jimmie PayneJimmie Payne was a popular west coast bodybuilder, hand balancer and arm wrestling champ. He regularly appreared on the television show "You Asked for It" performing unusual feats of balance and dexterity. Payne trained at Yarick's Gym and was also a regular at Muscle Beach.
Here he does a little lifting while balanced precariously on a "bongo board" -- he was able to press 180 pounds for 5 reps and, on another occasion, 30 reps with 135. Fifty years ago this was known as "screwin' around" ... these days it's called 'functional training."
Labels: Balance Feat, Ed Yarick's Gym, Hand Balancing, Jimmie Payne, Muscle Beach
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Thursday, March 05, 2009
Charles PoireThe great French strongman Charles Poire was most famous for his heavy presses, jerks and curling ability. His upper arm development was also second to none. In the late 19th century Poire was said to have the best arms in France.
Labels: Arm Development, Charles Poire, French Strongman, Oldtime Strongman
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 The York Health Shoe | "This is what the new York "IRON BOOT" is. A super leg developer. Merely strap the five pound Iron Boot on your foot and attach your adjustable dumbbell to it. There you have the most progressive leg builder ever devised. It is like being able to pick up a dumbbell with your feet. Back your legs with that snappy, springy power! No use dragging around as if your feet weighed a ton. Get speed and lightness into your stride. The Iron Boot will increase your running, jumping, gymnastics and lifting." |
Labels: Equipment, Iron Boots, Leg Development, York Barbell Company, York Health Shoe
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William PagelThe German Strongman William Pagel used to perform an amazing feat of strength: carrying a 1050-pound horse to the top of two 18-foot ladders by the use of a harness. Even more amazing was that he did this for 10 shows a day. Pagel was also a great wild animal trainer.
Labels: Circus Strongman, Harness Lifting, Horse Lifting, Odd Object Lifting, William Pagel
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Ed YarickWe have featured his gym, his equipment, even his wife... the only thing missing is the man himself, so here he is: Ed Yarick.
In addition to running one of the most popular gyms in the land, the 6'4" Yarick won the tall class in the "Mr. Pacific Coast" bodybuilding contest and was also the coach of the 1952 National Jr. Weightlifting Team.
Yarick's Gym was located at 3355 Foothill Blvd. in Oakland, California and was one of the centers of the strength world on the West coast. It was also where Steve reeves got his start and the training headquarters at various times of Roy Hilligenn, John Davis, Clancy Ross, Jack Delinger, Tommy Kono and Doug Hepburn (among others)
Labels: Clancy Ross, Doug Hepburn, Ed Yarick, Ed Yarick's Gym, Jack Dellinger, John Davis, Roy Hilligenn, Steve Reeves, Tommy Kono
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
The Schmidt Automatic ExerciserOne of Professor Adrian Schmidt's lasting contributions to the Iron Game is a ingenius piece of training equipment known as "The Schmidt Automatic Exerciser" or the "Schmidt Machine" for short. It consisted of a handle and small hinged frame attached to a globed weight.
Using the leverage principle, someone could use a fairly light weight yet increase the relative resistance to several hundred pounds or more. This enabled someone to be able to lift very "heavy" weights without actually needing to own heavy weights, making the machine portable and efficient -- and perfect for getting in a quick workout.
Labels: Adrian Schmidt, Automatic Exerciser, Professor Schmidt, Schmidt Machine, Strength machine, Vintage Strength Equipment
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Bruce White's Inch DumbbellOne of the most famous grip feats of all time is to deadlift the Thomas Inch Challenge Dumbbell. Replicas were not available until the mid-1990's so if you wanted to lift your own, you had to have your own dumbbell cast, and that is exactly what the great Australian grip master Bruce White did. It took him five years of training to finally accomplish lifting his 172-pound dumbbell. Keep in mind that Bruce White was only 148 pounds at the time, the lightest man to ever do so - a simply phenomenal feat of grip strength.
Labels: Australian Grip Master, Bruce White, Challenge Weight, Grip Equipment, Grip Feat, Inch Dumbbell, Inch Dumbbell Challenge
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Classic Physical Culture GymYou sure won't find many gyms like this one these days but they used to be much more common. Note the huge open space, the cathedral ceiling, the climbing ropes, Swedish Bars, pommel horse and the window-ladder climber on the far end.
Labels: Classic Gym, Classic Strongman Gyms, Climbing Ropes, Physical Culture Gym, Pommel Horse, Swedish Bars, Window Ladder
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Frank E. Miller was the physical director of the Young Men's Christian Association of Dallas, Texas in the late 1800's and early 1900's. In 1900, he wrote an excellent training guide for indian club swinging entitled "Indian Club-Swinging: One, Two, and Three Club Juggling." Due to his club work, Miller was also an expert fencer and golfer.
Labels: Frank E. Miller, Indian Club Swinging, YMCA
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Arthur Jones, Milo Steinborn and Peary and Mabel RaderA meeting of the legends: Arthur Jones, Milo Steinborn and Peary and Mabel Rader in Ocala, Florida, circa early-1980's. Notice Arthur is actually inside the crocodile pen.
Labels: Arthur Jones, Henry Milo Steinborn, Mabel Rader, Peary Rader
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
