Saturday, May 30, 2009
Paul TrappenThe German strongman and weightlifter Paul Trappen's name isn't mentioned very often but it certainly should be. At the 1913 German weightlifting Championships Trappen defeated both Karl Moerke and Hermann Goerner to win the heavyweight title. Some of his best lifts were a 320 pound Clean and Jerk, 215 pounds in the one hand clean and jerk and 183 pounds in the one arm press.
All impressive marks but the lift which he should be remembered best for is his harness lift of a pair of oxen totaling 5225 pounds - that would make his performance the greatest ever recorded in that particular lift.
Trappen also performed for the Barnum and Bailey Circus as did some wrestling as well in addition to feats of strength.
Labels: Barnum and Bailey Circus, Clean and Jerk, German Strongman, Harness Lifting, Hermann Goerner, Karl Moerke, One Arm Clean and Jerk, One Arm Press, Paul Trappen, Supporting Feat, Wrestler
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Friday, May 29, 2009
Russian Kettlebell TrainingIf you're going to train with Russian Kettlebells, may as well go back to the source to see how to do it right. (Pictures help, but you'll get a little more out of this post if you can read Cyrillic.)
Labels: Kettlebell Exercises, Kettlebell Snatch, Russian Kettlebell Training, Russian Kettlebells, Traditional Physical Training
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Vintage Weightlifting MedalA vintage weightlifting medal from -- I would guess - around the early 1900s. This certainly looks like something Sandow or Staff Sgt. Moss would have worn.
Labels: Eugen Sandow, Medal, Staff Sgt Moss, Vintage Weightlifting Medal
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Three Great Reasons...Three Great Reasons Why Sandow's Mail System of Teaching Physical Culture Has Attained Such Marvelous SuccessAn early ad for Sandow's magazine, which, at one time, was based out of Boston, Massachusetts. Sounds good to me, sign me up for a subscription.
Labels: Advertisement, Eugen Sandow, Mail Order Course, Sandow's Magazine
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
The Human Vise in action (video has sound)
Check out this video clip for some shots of Pat "The Human Vise Povilaitis in action. If you want to see more footage of 'The Vise' do his thing, check these out: 336 Pounds of Fury and Crazy, But Powerful.
Labels: 336 Pounds of Fury, Crazy But Powerful, Pat Povilaitis, Performing Strongman, Steel Bending, Steel Bending Strongman, The Human Vise, Video
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Swedish BarsYou have no doubt seen these along the walls in Classic Gyms but didn't know what they were - so now you do. The Swedish Bars (also called Stall Bars or Gymnastic Bars) were created by the Swedish physical training pioneer Pehr Henrik Ling back in the 1800s (a derivation of the climbing ladder). They soon became a standard piece of gymnastic training equipment in physical culture gymnasiums, YMCAs and especially in the military. The Swedish Bars are used to build flexibility as well as to perform a variety of exercises, most notablly abdominal work.
Labels: Gymnastic Equipment, Pehr Henrik Ling, Physical Culture Equipment, Stall Bars, Swedish Bars, YMCA
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Lee "Strongman" JonesLee "Strongman" Jones does his thing back in the mid-1950s. I don't know anything about the man other than he has a pretty strong set of choppers.
Labels: Jaw Strength, Lee Strongman Jones, Strength Feat
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Bert Elliot ~ Hand Balancing FeatWhen you think about it, this is one hell of a strength feat: Weightlifting and strongman champ Bert Elliott supports his friend Cliff Graham in a hand stand position, then slowly presses him to lockout. It's one thing to do this with a barbell but with a human being, perfectly balanced the whole time? Simply an amazing display of strength and skill by both athletes.
Labels: Bert Elliott, Cliff Graham, Hand Balancing, Hand Balancing Feat, Press
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Jack Walsh - Ouch!New Jersey strongman Jack Walsh had quite a few unusual talents... Here's Jack lifting 500 pounds with his head, and putting a nice groove in his skull at the same time. Don't try this one at home.
Labels: Feats of Strength, Head Lift, Jack Walsh, Neck Strength
www.oldtimestrongman.com
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, May 27, 2009
Gymnastic RingsA look at a few of the exercises which can be performed with Gymnastic Rings. Ring training has a long history in physical culture and they could be found in just about every gymnasium in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
As time passed, rings became quite rare in gyms although those who understood their place in training made sure they had them on hand. Sig Klein, Vince Gironda and Milo Steinborn, for example, all had gymnastic rings in their respective gyms long after they were en vogue.
Labels: Gymnastic Rings, Gymnastics, Milo Steinborn, Physical Culture Equipment, Ring Training, Rings, Sig Klein, Vince Gironda
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Humberto SelvettiThe great Olympic Weightlifter Humberto Selvetti shows his stuff in his home land of Argentina. It was Selvetti who Paul Anderson defeated to win the Gold Medal at the 1956 Olympic Games. Selvetti and Anderson both totaled 500 kg but Anderson beat him on lighter bodyweight) Selvetti also won a Bronze medal at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki where he totaled 432.5 kg. (I find the barbell set in this picture especially interesting as I have never seen anything like it before or since.)
Labels: 1952 Olympics, 1956 Olympics, Argentinian Weightlifter, Barbell, Barbell Set, Humberto Selvetti, Olympic Lifting, Paul Anderson, Total
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Vintage Indian ClubsMany examples of early Indian Clubs were custom made by club swinging enthusiasts, much like this colorful pair from the early 1900's.
Labels: Custom Indian Clubs, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture Equipment, Vintage Indian Clubs, Vintage Strength Equipment, Wooden Indian Clubs
www.oldtimestrongman.com
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, May 24, 2009
Ab Training: Shaolin StyleHow do Shaolin Monks train their abs? Here's one way: this fellow is hanging upside down with his legs over a tree branch. He fills a small cup with water from the jar below him, sits up, and dumps it into a bucket which hangs above. No sets and reps needed, the workout ends when the bucket is filled.
Labels: Abdominal Development, Abdominal Training, Martial Arts Training, Shaolin Monks, Unusual Training Equipment
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
The Mighty Atom Escapes!Back in the Summer of 1939, The Mighty Atom Joseph Greenstein attempted an amazing (and quite dangerous) feat. He would be chained to a chair with a car traveling at 40 miles per hour spaced out far enough to give him two minutes of lead time. If the Atom couldn't break free of the chains in time the speeding automobile would run right over him. Pic magazine was on hand with a photo crew to document the action, and, as you can see, the Atom made it - barely.
Labels: Chain Breaking, Feat, Joseph Greenstein, The MIghty Atom
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
The Brothers Baillargeon The Brothers Baillargeon are another entry in the long line of great Quebec Strongmen. From left to right: Charles, Paul, Adrien, Lionel, Jean and Antonio. They traveled the Continent performing tremendous strength feats and all eventually became famous professional wrestlers. Note the family crest on their uniforms. It featured the number "6" (representing all six brothers) a beaver, their name and a maple leaf logo.
Labels: Adrien Baillargeon, Antonio Baillargeon, Baillargeon Brothers, Canadian Strongman, Feats of Strength, Jean Baillargeon, Paul Baillargeon, Pro Wrestler, Quebec Charles Baillargeon, Wrestling
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Saturday, May 23, 2009
A Brief History of Kettlebells... A version of this video can be found elsewhere on the site, however, the one shown here has been re-rendered and also includes 30 seconds of additional footage. You think you know all about kettlebells? Check out this video for some things about kettlebells that I guarantee you have never seen before.
Labels: Ancient Kettlebells, Classic Kettlebells, Clevio Massimo, John Wood, Kettlebell History, kettlebell training, Kettlebells, Shot Loaded Kettlebells, Sig Klein, Video
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Shield LiftingOne very interesting training technique in Traditional Iranian Martial Arts is known as Sang Gereftan or Shield Lifting. Large rectangular pieces of hard wood are affixed with handles and then alternately raised and lowered by an athlete laying on his back.
The shields are used as a training technique by themselves to build upper body strength but there are and have been tournaments held in their use. A very good score would be 72 repetitions in seven minutes although some athletes have been able to do as many as 120.
Labels: Iranian Martial Arts, Sang, Sang Gereftan, Shield Lifting, Traditional Exercise
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Friday, May 22, 2009
Ironman Magazine April, 1952: Cover man Zabo Zoszewski Irvin 'Zabo' Koszewski on the cover of the April, 1952 issue of Ironman Magazine. He finished 5th at the 1952 Mr. America Contest although to no ones's surprise, took home the 'Best Abs' subdivision.
Labels: 1952 Mr. America, Best Abs, Bodybuilding, Cover, Iron Man Magazine, Irvin Zabo Koszewski
www.oldtimestrongman.com
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, May 20, 2009
Charles PhelanHow about that kettlebell? Charles Phelan billed himself not as the World's strongest man but the World's most entertaining strongman as he told jokes between his strength feats while he performed at Coney Island. He weighed only 140 pounds but held five world records: a one-finger lift of 506 pounds, 700 pounds with two fingers, a hand and thigh lift of 1125 pounds, a hip lift of 1600 pounds and a backlift of 2500 pounds. Phelan was taught how to be a strongman by Warren Lincoln Travis and was a good friend of Vic Boff.
Labels: Back Lift, Charles Phelan, Coney Island, Hand And Thigh Lift, Hip Lift, Kettlebell, Oldtime Strongman, One Finger Lift, Vic Boff
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Alexeev and KettlebellsAlexeev is among the many Russian Champions who maintained a love of kettlebells training throughout his career. Based on the throwing circle at his feet he's using the kettlebell to warm up and probably about to do a little shot putting.
Labels: Kettlebell, Russian Kettlebells, Russian Strongman, Russian Weightlifter, Shot Put, Vasily Alexeev
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Louis AbeleLouis Abele, lifting out of the Lighthouse Boy's Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a three-time Sr. National Silver medalist and briefly held the American Record in the press. He would also have lifted at the 1940 Olympic games although unfortunately they were canceled. Had he been born a few years earlier Abele would probably be a lot more well-known since he was in his prime right around the same time as Steve Stanko and later John Davis.
Abele was adamant about the incredible strength benefits of heavy, high-rep squatting (something which is pretty evident in the picture.) His best marks were: 400 lbs. x 18, 450 lbs. x 10, 475 lbs. x 7 and 500 lbs. x 3.
Labels: John Davis, Leg Strength, Louis Abele, olympic weightlifter, Press, Squat, Squatting, Steve Stanko
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Chain Dragging (Leistner Photo)When you train at Dr. Ken's place, one of the 'fun' exercises you can look forward to is anchor chain dragging. Enjoy!
Labels: Anchor Chain, Chain Dragging, Dr. Ken, Dr. Ken Leistner, Dr. Ken Workout, Dragging, Odd Object, Unusual Training Equipment
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
John McCallum: Press - Pull - SquatStrength author John McCallum is shown here following some of his own advice: Press - Pull - Squat. If you focused on only those three exercises you'll end up pretty damn strong.
Labels: Bent Over Rowing, John McCallum, Press, Squat
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
German WeightlifterBerg-Hantell barbells and plates were the inspiration for all modern Olympic sets. Here's one in use by the German lifter A. Wiedmer who shows how it's done in winning this early weightlifting contest sometime in the 1920s.
Labels: A. Wiedmer, Barbell, Barbell and Plates, Berg-Hantell, German Strongman, German Weightlifter, one arm snatch, Strength Equipment
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Art LevanIf a barbell wasn't avilable, the great weightlifting champion Art Levan lifted people instead. Looks like it worked, Levan was the first american to put double bodyweight overhead, a feat he accomplished back in 1932.
Labels: Art Levan, Human Lift, National Champion Weightlifter
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
The Tomb of HerculesPakistani strongman Professor A. N. Shaikh shows how it's done in the Tomb of Hercules feat. The combined weight of this motorcycle and two men were estimated to weight around 700 pounds or more. This feat is a lot more difficult than you might think.
Labels: Classic Strongman Feats, Feat, Professor A. N. Shaikh, Supporting Feat, The Tomb of Hercules
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Monday, May 18, 2009
Never Miss a Workout!Never Miss a Workout! - The Olympic weightlifting team continued to train even while sailing aboard the SS Manhattan traveling to Berlin for the 1936 Olympic Games. Bill Good is shown practicing his jerks while the other members wait their turn. You want core strength? Try holding a heavy weight overhead while on a ship.
Labels: 1936 Olympics, Barbell, Bill Good, Jerk
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Clevio MassimoClevio Massimo, known as the "Modern Hercules" certainly earned his nickname. He 'leg pressed' eight men in the Tomb of Hercules position, held a 210 pound barbell around his neck while in a hand stand, bent nails and was also a very good wrestler. Here he presses a tremendous kettlebell.
Labels: Clevio Massimo, Hand Balancing Feat, handstand, Kettlebell, Leg Press, Modern Hercules, The Tomb of Hercules
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Sandow's CocoaToday, a lot of folks recommend a big glass of chocolate milk as the best post-workout drink for muscle growth. Perhaps ol' Sandow was on to something a hundred years ago when he came out with his own Health and Strength Cocoa.
Labels: Advertisement, Eugen Sandow, Sandow's Cocoa
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Card Ripping in Oven MittsIf you can rip a deck of cards you're pretty strong, but can you rip a deck of cards while wearing oven mitts? Not only can Dennis Rogers do this, he makes it look easy. See it for yourself in 336 Pounds of Fury.
Labels: Card Ripping, Card Tearing, Dennis Rogers, Grip Feat, Hand Strength, Strongman Feat
www.oldtimestrongman.com
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, May 13, 2009
Tarzano BreitbartThe great Indian Strongman Tarzano Breitbart vs. one HELL of a spring expander. That must have been quite a feat to see.
Labels: Back Press, Chest Expander, Spring Expander, Strand Pulling, Strand Pulling Feat, Tarzano Breitbart, The Back Press Anyhow
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
German Weightlifting Club ~ 1905A German weightlifting club circa 1905 with a selection of classic equipment. Of note are the large and rather impressive kettlebells. If you are familiar with your kettlebell history you know that the Germans were particularly fond of kettlebell juggling which is the reason for the squared off handles.
Labels: Ancient Kettlebells, Antique Equipment, German Kettlebells, German Strongman
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Rope Climbing for Grip Strength Sig Klein was always outspoken as far as the importance of grip strength... One of Sig's favorite exercises was to hang by one hand from a thick climbing rope. It's still a good one.
Labels: 2" Climbing Rope, Grip Exercise, Grip Strength, Sig Klein, Thick Climbing Ropes
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Doug Hepurn - Press!I wonder how different things would be if the standing press were as popular as the bench press? I suspect there would be many more strong folks walking around. Here's the great Doug Hepburn pressing 425 pounds from a rack - that's more than most people can squat! One thing's for sure, increase your press and you'll get a whole lot stronger everywhere else too.
Labels: Barbell, Doug Hepburn, Overhead Press, Upper Body Exercise
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Siegmund BreitbartSiegmund Breitbart was a master of many traditional strongman feats (horseshoe bending, Nail driving, steel scrolling etc) but he also came up with a number of his own unique feats. Here's a shot of Breitbart supporting a full-blown motorcycle race on his chest!
Labels: Feats of Strength, Horseshoe Bending, Nail Driving, Siegmund Breitbart, Steel Scrolling, Supporting Feat
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Sam KramerFurther proof that as far as proper training, what worked then will work just as well now... This fellow is Sam Kramer, a friend of Vic Boff's and this picture was taken back in 1903. Ain't it funny that even with all the 'modern' training methods out there, there still aren't many people walking around looking like this?
Labels: Early Bodybuilder, Sam Kramer, Vic Boff
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Monday, May 11, 2009
Ike BergerA shot of Ike Berger cleaning and jerking 325 pounds to set the world record and win the Gold Medal in the featherweight class at the 1958 Senior World Weightlifting Championships. Berger was known for his flawless technique in all three lifts.
Labels: Clean and Jerk, Ike Berger, olympic weightlifter, Senior Nationals, World Record
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
George Jowett, Karl Moerke, Sig Klein and Mark H. BerryOnce in a great while several different legends will be in the same place at the same time. In this case, a strength show at Bryant Hall in New York City circa 1922. From left to right George Jowett, Karl Moerke, Sig Klein and Mark H. Berry. (Klein made a record press at the show.)
Labels: George Jowett, Karl Moerke, Mark Berry, Press, Sig Klein
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
MaxickThough only weighing 147 pounds, Maxick was one of strongest and most physically impressive men who even lived. He was one of the first men to clean and jerk double bodyweight and his level of muscularity would still be impressive a century later. I suspect a great deal of his success came from his practice of muscle control... Maxick was one of the few men who understood and practiced deep concentration to accomplish many of his lifts and feats.
Labels: Clean and Jerk, Early Bodybuilder, Maxick, Muscle Control
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
| |
A short video clip featuring Brooks Kubik and Dinosaur Training in action. Log lifting... Barrel Lifting... Anvil Lifting... John Davis... Doug Hepburn... John Grimek... Arthur Saxon... Heavy Dumbbells... Basement lifting... Power Rack Work... Grip Training... If you don't want your own copy after watching this then you had better check your pulse.
Labels: 1 Leg Squat, Anvil Lifting, Arthur Saxon, Barrel Lifting, Brooks Kubik, Dinosaur Training, Doug Hepburn, George Jowett, John Grimek, Odd Object Lifting, Press, Video
www.oldtimestrongman.com
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, May 06, 2009
| Hand Balancing was part of Doug Hepburn's regular training program. He figured the the increased blood flow to the upper body while in the inverted position would be good for building his pressing strength. Given his track records, there certainly may be something to that. Here's Doug as the 'bottom man' in a unique feat: that's a 205 pound barbell and a 170 pound man he's holding overhead. This picture is more impressive than it may appear when you consider how they got in that position in the first place - a feat in itself. This picture was taken just after Doug established a new world record in the press with a lift of 353 pounds. |  Doug Hepburn ~ Hand Balancing |
Labels: Doug Hepburn, Hand Balancing, Hand Balancing Feat, Press
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Vintage Strength EquipmentGreat workouts are more than just sets and reps, it comes down to the equipment that you use too. Basic exercises take on a whole new meaning when you are training with something unique. This set of vintage shot-loaded dumbbells certainly fits the bill nicely. You'll be seeing more of these very soon...
Labels: Dumbbell Training, Strongman Equipment, Unique Equipment, Vintage Strength Equipment
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Continental Lifting'Continental' is a style of lifting where the bar is taken from the ground to the shoulders in any manner possible - usually in 2-3 separate movements.
The most common style is with the aid of a belt with a large buckle that which the lifter rests the loaded bar on before taking it up to the racked position for the press or jerk. Weightlifting Champion Norb Schemansky is shown here continentaling this barbell in order to train with a much heavier weight than he could have normally used.
The "short pull" from the belt builds strength in the 'second pull' in the Olympic lifts. It was this type of power training with maximum weights which contributed greatly to Norb's success as a lifter.
Labels: Barbell Training, Continental, Continental and Jerk, Norb Schemansky
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
The Textbook of Weight-Lifting by Arthur Saxon (1910)A look at the cover of the original edition of The Textbook of Weightlifting as originally written in 1910. This book was actually produced and published by Arthur Saxon's friend Thomas Inch. Keep in mind that no one would be reading this book today if it were not for the efforts of Bill Hinbern.
Labels: Arthur Saxon, Bill Hinbern, book, Strength Book, The Textbook of Weightlifting, Thomas Inch
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Robert B. SnyderThere have been more than a few great strongmen who are not giants. A perfect example is Robert B. Snyder of Hagerstown, Maryland. As a boy he was inspired by the strongman from the Forepaugh & Sells circus and began training by lifting barrels and stones. He also taught himself hand balancing - something which he would become exceptionally good at.
At the age of 14 (weighing 116 pounds) Snyder lifted his first barbell -- a MILO barbell owned by a local strongman. Shortly afterward, Snyder began following MILO barbell course #1 and showed tremendous improvement... so much so that he was featured in Bernarr MacFadden's Physical Culture Magazine as well as Alan Calvert's STRENGTH Magazine.
At his heaviest, Snyder weighed only 139 pounds yet was incredibly strong easily performing multiple one-arm chins with each hand as well as lifting poundages well above bodyweight. Above, Snyder performs the one-arm get up lift with a human weight.
Labels: Alan Calvert, Barrel Lifting, Circus Strongman, Hand Balancing, Human Lift, Milo Bar Bell Courses, Milo Barbell Company, One Arm Getup, Robert B. Snyder, Stone Lifting, Strength Magazine
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Professor A. N. ShaikhProfessor A. N. Shaikh of Pakistan was an expert at pinch gripping. Here he does a 'clean' to the shoulder with a 75 pound smooth weight plate in the early 60s. Not bad, I don't know anyone who could duplicate this feat these days. This record stood until his 18-year old son came along and bested it with a lift of 81 pounds.
Labels: Barbell Plate, Grip Feat, Grip Strength, Grip Training, Pakistani Strongman, Pinch Grip, Pinch Lift, Professor A. N. Shaikh
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
The Wrist RollerWho uses the wrist roller to build forearm strength? Chinese Olympic weightlifters are one pretty good example (among many). This picture comes from an old training course. Despite its simplicity, the wrist roller is one of the most effective grip exercises there is.
Labels: Forearm Strength, Forearm Training, Grip Training, Grip Training Equipment, Olympic Weightlifting, wrist roller, Wrist Roller Training
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Monday, May 04, 2009
Black Iron Strength KettlebellsKettlebells are pretty common these days but you probably haven't seen anything like these before: precision diamond-point knurled handles, polished stainless steel, 25 ton press through construction AND made in the USA.
These kettlebells were made by Black Iron Strength the same folks who make our thick bars. Of course the inevitable question is going to be "How do they compare to cast iron kettlebells?"
The answer is "they don't" - both styles are good but in their own way and for different reasons. We may carry these at some point in the future...
Labels: American Kettlebells, Ancient Kettlebells, Black Iron Strength, Equipment, Kettlebell, Kettlebell Exercises, Kettlebells, Unusual Training Equipment
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Strength and Health 1933: Bob Hoffman CoverBob Hoffman (with hair!) on the cover of the August, 1933 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. As was customary for most strength athletes of the time period Bob focused on chest expansion techniques and it's pretty noticeable in this early picture.
Labels: Bob Hoffman, Bodybuilding Magazine, Chest Expansion, Cover, Strength and Health Magazine
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Young ApollonThe famous French strongman Louis "Apollon" Uni at 19 years of age. As the story goes he ran off and joined the circus at 14 and started performing as a strongman a year later. Even at this young age, Apollon's potential for great strength is evident by his thick bone structure. Strength ran in the family, it as said that he was descended from Pompelius Unicus, an undefeated Roman Gladiator.
Labels: Apollon, Circus Strongman, French Strongman, Globe Dumbbell, Louis Uni, Oldtime Strongman
www.oldtimestrongman.com
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, May 03, 2009
Earle E. Liederman's BooksEarle E. Liederman was a very well-known vaudeville strongman and one of the greatest of the strength authors. Here's a look at his strength bibliography:
Liederman was also the editor of "Muscle Power" Magazine (and several other magazines), wrote an untold number of training articles, several courses and even a few books of poetry.The Science of Wrestling and The Art of Jiu-Jitsu (1923) Muscle Building (1924) Secrets of Strength (1925) Endurance (1926) Muscular Development (1928) Here's Health (1929)
Labels: Earle E. Liederman, Endurance, Mail Order Muscle Courses, Muscle Building, Muscular Development, Secrets of Strength, Strength Author, Strength Books
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Friday, May 01, 2009
Edward Aston: Britain's Strongest ManEdward Aston ran off and joined the circus at 17 years old and never looked back. Among his other feats, in 1909 he did a one-hand swing with 162-1/2 lbs. beating Thomas Inch's record. A year later he defeated Maxick to take the title of "Britain's Strongest Man", which he held until the early 1930's.
Labels: Britains Strongest Man, British Strongman, Circus Strongman, Dumbbell Swing, Edward Aston, Maxick, Thomas Inch
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
1901 Weightroom"...In his gymnasium Dr. von Krajewski had a great number and variety of weights, dumb-bells, and other apparatus and appliances for the purpose of training. It was, in short, a fully equipped school of physical culture..."THIS is a rare photo of the place that Hack was talking about and I would say it definitely lives up to the billing. Great equipment leads to great workouts and there is no doubt that would be the kind of setup that would help someone build some serious strength. (This photo is also the inspiration for our Limited Edition Trading card Program)
George Hackenschmidt
The Way to Live
Written in 1908
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Dr. von Krajewski, Eugen Sandow, George Hackenschmidt, Globe Barbell, Kettlebells, The Way to Live
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Tossin' The Medicine Ball AroundToday it's called "core training" but fifty years ago it was just called "Tossin' The Medicine Ball Around." As simple as it is, this is still a surprisingly good workout - just a few minutes will leave you sore in muscles you never knew you had....
Labels: Core Strength, Core Strength Training, Medicine Ball Training, Medicine Balls, Medicine Balls Throwing, Upper Body Exercise
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Abe BoshesTo provide further proof that one can be impressive without being "huge" here is the famous Brooklyn strongman Abe Boshes. Boshes stood 5'3" at a bodyweight of around 150 pounds and was very well-known for his shoulder development (which was obviously a big contributor to his stature.) Boshes did quite a bit of training with chest expanders.
Boshes could bent-press around 220 lbs for a single and a 100 lb. dumbbell 18 times in succession. In the early 1900s he won a contest put on by Bernarr MacFadden and the fame from doing so allowed him to travel the country on the Vaudeville circuit. Like many strongmen of the time he also did some wrestling.
Labels: Abe Boshes, Bent Press, Bernarr Macfadden, Chest Expanders, Early Bodybuilder, Shoulder Development, Vaudeville, Wrestling
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Perikles KakousisShown is Greek Weightlifter Perikles Kakousis on his way to winning the "Two Hand Lift" Weightlifting competition at the 1904 Summer Olympics held in St. Louis, Missouri. This lift of 246 pounds was good enough for the Gold Medal and set the world record at the time (breaking the old record by a mere four ounces.) The judge Dr. R. T. McKenzie looks on from the right.
At the same games Kakousis also competed in the Tug 'O War event although his team only finished tied for 5th place.
Labels: 1904 Olympics, Gold Medal, Greek Weightlifter, Overhead Lift, Perikles Kakousis, Tug O War, World Record
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Welcome to the Strongest Blog on the Net!
This is THE PLACE where you will find interesting bits of Iron Game history, lore and training tips from the strongest men of all time.
Previous Posts
Featured Products
Monthly Archives
Not yet a member? Subscribe now to receive daily doses of Strongman history, training tips, and site updates!
Copyright © 2010 Thunderdome Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved