Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Iron Grip Barbell PlatesIf you ever wondered which company is the last to manufacture and produce barbells and weight plates on US soil then your answer is the Iron Grip Barbell company of Santa Ana, California. They introduced this unique 12-sided weight plate in 1993.
I like these plates a lot, you can actually use them for many interesting exercises by themselves. Iron Grip also makes a damn fine bar.
Labels: Barbell and Plates, Barbell Company, Barbell Plates, Free Weight Equipment, Free Weights, Iron Grip, Iron Grip Barbell Company, Iron Grip Barbell Plates, Weightlifting Equipment
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Dennis Rogers' Steel ScrollingA few years back Dennis Rogers performed in Detroit and gave me the piece of steel he bent during the show. If you look closely you can see that it is dated 11/06/2005 and signed by Dennis.
Labels: Bar Bending, Bending Feat, Dennis Rogers, Steel Bending, Steel Scrolling, Strength Feat
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Training at The York GymYears ago, lifters didn't argue about what was "functional" and what wasn't... they didn't worry about working their white fibers or red fibers... and they sure didn't jump over any little plastic hurdles...
What they DID do was to pick a few basic exercises and focus on just getting strong. Here's the great lifter Chuck Vinci training at the Old York Gym. Vinci is shown bench pressing over 300 lbs. while weighing only 125 lbs (at a height of 4' 11"). At the time this picture was taken, at the Pan American Games, Vinci had recently broken Vilkhovsky's world record snatch with a lift of 223 lbs.
The spotters are Yas Kazuhara and Dave Sheppard.
Labels: 300 Bench Press, Chuck Vinci, Dave Sheppard, olympic weightlifter, Upper Body Exercise, Yas Kuzuhara, York Gym
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Friday, July 24, 2009
Louis Cyr: Barrel LiftingOn May 8th, 1896, the great Canadian strongman Louis Cyr lifted and shouldered a 433 lb. barrel with one hand. The barrel was filled with a mixture of water and sand and the feat took place at Saint-Louis Hall in Chicago, Illinois.
Labels: Barrel Lifting, Louis Cyr, Strength Feat, Wooden Barrel
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A Presidential WorkoutRunning the country is hard work which is why a regular workout schedule is a good idea. Here's Calvin Coolidge swinging the Indian Clubs while House Speaker Frederick H. Gillett trains on the wall pulley in the White House Gym. This picture was taken on January 31st, 1923.
Labels: Calvin Coolidge, Classic Gym, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture Equipment, President, Wall Pulleys
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The Hip LiftOne of the most interesting training techniques of the Oldtime Strongmen is to use short-range movements with very heavy weights. This not only gives a super workout for the muscles, but strengthens the tendons and gives the psychological boost of being able to lift far above what you would normally be able to.
Here's John Grimek, training his legs by performing Hip Lifts with what looks like 600 lbs. or so. To find out more about how Grimek trained, you'll want to pick up a copy of the Mark Berry Bar Bell Courses (with this famous picture on the cover).
Labels: Grimek Exercise, Heavy Partial Movements, Hip Lift, John Grimek, Leg Exercise, Mark Berr Bar Bell Courses, Mark Berry, Tendon and Ligament Training, Tendon Strength
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Wooden MeelsIndian and Iranian Wrestlers have been swinging Heavy Wooden Indian Clubs for centuries in order to build upper body strength and stamina. These are know as Mils, Meels or Jori depending on which country you may be in at the time. Either way swinging these are one hell of a workout.
This pair weighs 20 pounds each - we may have them available at some point as well. Otherwise, you can see large wooden clubs very similar to these in action in the Physical Body Indian Wrestling DVDs.
Labels: Heavy Indian Club Swinging, Heavy Indian Clubs, Indian Physical Culture, Indian Wrestling, Meels, Wooden Meels
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Charles McMahonCharles MacMahon, of Camden, New Jersey, was a famous performing strongman during the early 20th century. He was a student of Alan Calvert and was regularly featured in Strength Magazine and other literature for the Milo Barbell Company.
In 1927, he wrote a tremendous book "How to Perform Feats of Strength and Dexterity," which we should have available on the site at some point.
Labels: Alan Calvert, Charles MacMahon, Feats of Strength, Strength Magazine
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Arthur JonesA rare shot of Arthur Jones training on Nautilus Pullover during the Colorado Experiment. That's Tom Wood, my uncle, spotting on the right. He was Casey Viator's roommate during the whole Colorado Experiment - so yeah, that's how I know things were legit.
Labels: Arthur Jones, Nautilus Pullover, The Colorado Experiment
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
Ivan Poddubny Commemorative StampMany countries celebrate their great heroes on their stamps. This Ukranian stamp from 1996 honored the great strongman/wrestler Ivan Poddubny.
Labels: Ivan Poddubny, Stamp, Wrestler
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Dr. Rouhet's WeightsThe image quality isn't ideal but the subject matter should more than make up for it... I guarantee you have never seen this picture before. Shown is the famous French physical culturalist Dr. Georges Rouhet and some of his fantastic training equipment. Having been at this for a while it certainly appears that the French Strongmen had the best stuff available to train with.
Labels: Antique Equipment, Classic Equipment, Dr. Georges Rouhet, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbells, Ring Weights, Strongman Equipment
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Yuri Vlasov in TrainingHow does a World Champion Olympic weight lifter build upper-body strength? The great Russian lifter Yuri Vlasov used the bench press (among other exercises) in his program back in the 50s and 60s. Of course, by the looks of things he sure didn't mess around like the gym lifters of today.
"Getting stronger" and plenty of technique work were part of the game back then. It seems to have worked quite well for Mr. Vlasov, who set 34 Weightlifting World Records during his career... Maybe the bench press isn't so bad after all?
Labels: Bench Press, olympic weightlifter, Russian Weightlifter, Yuri Vlasov
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The Woodberry Forest Gymnastics TeamThe Woodberry Forest Gymnastics Team shows their stuff, circa 1910. Look closely... there's some pretty impressive stuff going on in this picture.
Labels: Gymnastic Feat, Gymnastic Team, Gymnastics, Parallel Bars
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Alexander AbergAn extremely rare picture of the great Estonian wrestler Alexander Aberg who was also George Lurich's brother-in-law. Aberg defeated the likes of Dr. Benjamin Roller (of America), Wladek Zbyszko (of Poland), Pierre La Colosse (of France), Harry De Nys (of Belgium) Leo Pardell (of Italy), Sulo Hevonpaa (of Finland) and Jo-An Tigan (of Mongolia) on his way to a World Championship in 1915.
Labels: Alex Aberg, Benjamin Roller, Estonian Strongman, George Lurich, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Wrestling
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Sandow's ArmIt's pretty amazing to think there are few people walking around today as impressive as Eugen Sandow was a hundred years ago.
Labels: Arm Development, Big Arms, Early Bodybuilder, Eugen Sandow
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Medicine Ball Training at West PointMedicine Ball Training was a part of the physical conditioning curriculum at the U.S. Military Academy at the turn of the century. This training program was devised by Herman J. Koehler who we will cover at a later date.
Labels: Herman J. Koehler, Medicine Ball Training, Medicine Balls, Military Exercise, Military Training
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| "I wish to impress upon all my students the great value of physical training connected with the bridge exercise. I want you to practice bridging every day, for you can find nothing that will develop the neck and back muscles to such an extent as bridging will do. You already realize the importance of a very strong neck and it is entirely up to you to have a wonderful neck or not, depending entirely on the amount of study, and time of practice that you give the subject. A strong, well-developed neck is not only valuable to health and your personal athletic appearance, but important in wrestling as well." ~ Farmer Burns, 1912 |  Farmer Burns on the Wrestler's Bridge |
Labels: Build Neck Strength, Farmer Burns, Farmer Burns Workout, Neck Bridge, Neck Strength
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Joe Vitole: Muscle Builder June, 1924The Strongman Joe Vitole on the cover of Bernarr Macfadden's June, 1924 issue of Muscle Builder Magazine. Joe Vitole was a pupil of Earle E. Liederman and became one of the World's greatest Teeth Lifters.
Labels: Bernarr Macfadden, Cover, Joseph Vitole, MacFadden Publication, Muscle Builder Magazine
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The Saxon TrioMarch 25th, 1909 was the date that the Saxon trio made their American debut at Madison Square Garden. They traveled from coast to coast with great fanfare and performed many amazing feats as a part of the Ringling Brothers Circus.
Labels: Arthur Saxon, Circus, Circus Act, Herman Saxon, Kurt Saxon, Ringling Brothers Circus, Saxon Trio
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The Hammer Strength Dip MachineDips are a damn good exercise... One of the best, in fact, for building upper body strength. A very useful alternative, and a great exercise in its own right is shown here: The Hammer Strength Dip Machine.
One of the disadvantages with regular dips is that you are limited to using at least your own bodyweight. This machine allows you to plate-load the resistance and go as light or as heavy as you need to. If you have one in your gym or otherwise have access to one, by all means use it. One set of 12 reps at the end of a good workout should do nicely.
Labels: Dips, Exercise Machine, Hammer Strength, Hammer Strength Dip Machine, Upper Body Exercise
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Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Nautilus Double Chest MachineIt's a real shame that machines get such a bad rap these days. The fact of the matter is that the whole 'point' of a machine is to gain a training advantage which can't be had any other way.
Here's a great example: the Nautilus Double Chest Machine. The upper "fly" portion of the machine thoroughly pre-exhausts the chest muscles and then the trainee can immediately switch right into the decline press movement. Both exercises allow the upper arms to be in a position where the pectorals are fully contracted.
If you have access to this machine, count yourself lucky, there aren't many around.
(Photo courtesy of Michael Petrella)
Labels: Chest Exercise, Fly, Nautilus, Nautilus Double Chest, Nautilus Machines, Negative Training, Pre-Exhaust, Strength machine
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Farmer's WalkGrab a pair of dumbbells, some sandbags, some kettlebells or some Iron Suitcases like former New York Giant (and Dr. Ken trainee) Frank Ferarra above and go for a stroll. That's all there is to "The Farmer's Walk" exercise, and you would be hard pressed to find a better exercise for building grip strength and mental toughness. The Farmer's Walk is one of Brooks Kubik's favorite training methods - and for good reason.
Labels: Dinosaur Training Exercise, Dr. Ken Leistner, Dumbbells, Farmer's Walk, Grip Strength, Iron Suitcase, Kettlebells
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George LurichEstonian born George Lurich was a great wrestler and strongman during the early 1900's. He was was a great friend and training partner to George Hackenschmidt (It was actually Lurich who introduced Hackenschmidt to weightlifting.) Lurich's brother-in-law was Alex Aberg, another champion wrestler of the time period.
Lurich was the world Greco-Roman wrestling champion in 1912 and was the last man to face Frank Gotch before Gotch retired in 1913. As far as strength feats, among others, Lurich is credited with a one-hand jerk of 267 lbs., and a two-hands clean & jerk of 344 lbs.
Labels: Alex Aberg, Clean and Jerk, Estonian Strongman, European Strongmen, Frank Gotch, George Hackenschmidt, George Lurich, Greco-Roman Wrestling, One Hand Jerk, Strongman, Wrestler
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Tuesday, July 14, 2009
John Y. SmithJohn Y. Smith, shown above bent pressing a 185 lb. dumbbell, was another great strongman who was small in stature but large in strength. He was 5'7" and weighed around 165 lbs. in his prime yet could perform feats such as a right hand one-arm deadlift of 450 pounds (435 lbs. with the left), a hand and thigh lift of 1640 pounds and a press with a pair of dumbbells totaling 225 pounds. Smith was also a lifelong lifter, even winning the New England's Strongest Man Contest at 60 years of age.
Labels: Bent Press, Dumbbell Press, Hand And Thigh Lift, John Y. Smith, New England's Strongest Man Contest, Oldtime Strongman, One Arm Deadlift
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Hector DecarieHector Decarie first achieved notoriety around 1904 when he Bent Pressed 317 pounds. A few years later he met Louis Cyr in a famous challenge match. Despite the fact that they tied in the contest, Cyr passed on his title of "World's Strongest Man" to his young challenger. It was a fitting mantle, Decarie surpassed several of Cyr's feats. Interestingly, Decarie is not as big as you would think based on the pictures of him. He stood 5'7" and weighed only around 191 lbs.
Labels: Bent Press, Canadian Strongman, Challenge Match, Hector Decarie, Louis Cyr
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Iron TeardropsPeople often say there's nothing new under the sun but I would disagree. Case in point, here's a unique training idea from a muscle magazine from about 20 years ago that I have never seen before or since. These "Iron Teardrops" slipped on your barbell just like plates and moved around while you lifted, adding a whole new dimension to standard lifts.
A few years back, I called the number listed on the ad just to see what would happen. A woman answered the phone and told me that yes, it was her brother which came up with the idea for the Iron Tear Drops but he was not home at the moment. She took down my address and said she would send some info but I never did hear from them. Anyone out there ever get to train with these?
Labels: Equipment, Iron Teardrops, Unusual Training Equipment
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Monday, July 13, 2009
A short clip featuring the amazing Canadian strongman Louis Cyr and some of his most famous strength feats. (Video has sound.)
Labels: Canadian Strongman, Feats of Strength, Louis Cyr, Video
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Steve Reeves: Dumbbell Incline PressHow does Hercules build his upper body strength? Here's one answer: Dumbbell Incline Press. It's a good variation for building pressing power, and - needless to say - it worked pretty well for Steve Reeves. He also was a fan of doing dumbbell curls on an incline bench, an exercise he used to build his arms before his 1947 AAU Mr. America Contest win.
Labels: 1947 Mr. America, Dumbbell Exercise, Dumbbell Incline Press, Dumbbell Lift, Dumbbell Training, Hercules, Incline Bench Press, Incline Press, Steve Reeves
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Steel Bending"The Amazing Samson" Alexander Zass engaging in a bit of steel bending. Though is is certainly not for everyone, steel bending can be quite a workout, one that can make you very strong in some very unusual ways.
Labels: Alexander Zass, Amazing Samson, Bending Feat, Feats of Strength, Full Body Strength, Grip Training, Steel Bending, Wrist Strength
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Sandow's NEW Spring-Grip DumbbellsEugen Sandow successfully sold a variety of "Spring-Grip" Dumbbells in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Eventually he decided to upgrade and this ergonomically designed version was patented on June 12th, 1917. The illustration from the patent application is shown above. Note Sandow's signature in the lower right corner.
Labels: Antique Equipment, Dumbbell, Eugen Sandow, Grip Training Equipment, Sandow's Grip Dumbbells, Spring Dumbbell, Training Equipment
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Sunday, July 12, 2009
Chain Breaking Through Chest ExpansionThe Mighty Atom demonstrates one of the classic oldtime strongman feats: breaking chains through chest expansion. The Atom taught the secrets of this feat to Slim The Hammerman. Slim also performed this feat in his act for years thus carrying on the Atom's legacy. In case you're interested in learning too, Slim covers this feat in detail in his strength DVD.
Labels: Chain Breaking, Chest Expansion, Feats of Strength, Slim The Hammerman, The MIghty Atom
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Paul Anderson: Behind The Iron CurtainIn 1955, a group of U.S. weightlifting champs traveled to Russia - the first U.S. athletic team to be invited behind the Iron Curtain - for a series of exhibitions with the Soviet national team.
After everyone else had finished their lifting, Paul Anderson astounded their hosts by pressing 402-1/2 lbs., snatching 314-1/4 lbs. and the lift shown here: a clean & jerk of 424-1/2 lbs. Big Paul so astounded the Russians that they did not even bother to enter a heavyweight lifter at the upcoming 1956 Olympics - they figured that he was simply unbeatable.
Labels: Clean and Jerk, Paul Anderson, Press, Russia, Russian Olympic Set, Snatch
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Early Physical TrainingSome of the early physical training "gyms" looked a lot like this one; essentially a big playground. The idea was to simply get your body moving in a number of ways. Notice all the different training methods represented in this rare engraving: balance beams, pole climbing, climbing ropes, the vault horse, climbing ladders, parallel bars, horizontal bars and bodyweight calisthenics.
Even with more modern methods - I'm talking with barbells and dumbbells etc - Getting out and learning to move your body through space in a vigorous manner is still a good idea today.
Labels: Bodyweight Calisthenics, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, Horizontal Bar, Physical Training, Pole Climbing, Pommel Horse
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Saturday, July 11, 2009
Spalding Indian ClubsA hundred years ago, if you wanted to purchase some wooden Indian Clubs, you likely would have ordered them from the Spalding company of Chicago. It is interesting to see just how many different types and styles of clubs they had available. Not the fancy exhibition clubs on the bottom left. This advertisement dates to 1913.
Labels: Advertisement, Equipment, Hardwood Indian Clubs, Indian Club Advertisement, Indian Clubs for Sale, Physical Culture Equipment, Spalding Indian Clubs, Training Equipment, Wooden Indian Clubs
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The Shafran DumbbellHere's a famous dumbbell which you have probably never heard of... This unique dumbbell once belonged to the great strongman Harry Shafran who lifted it during his Vaudeville performances. Like many stage weights, the Shafran Bell is hollow so the weight can be made much heavier by filling it with shot, if need be and also features a thick handle which necessitates a great amount of grip strength in order to lift. You can visit the Shafran Bell at the York Barbell Company Museum.
Labels: Antique Equipment, Dumbbell, Famous Dumbbell, Grip Strength, The Shafran Dumbbell, Thick Handle, York Barbell Company Museum
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Francois LancoudThe Swiss Weightlifter and Strongman Francois Lancoud became the second World Weightlifting Champion on October 5th, 1903, at an event held at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, France. Among his winning lifts were a snatch of 231-1/2 lbs. and a clean & jerk of 292 lbs. The German strongman Heinrich Schneidereit finished second and the Belgian lifter Gustave Empain finishing third.
Labels: 1903 World Championships, Clean and Jerk, Francois Lancoud, Gustave Empain, Heinrich Schneidereit, Snatch, Swiss Strongman, weightlifter
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Friedrich Ludwig JahnThe "Father" of gymnastics is widely regarded as Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, the German Prussian physical culture pioneer. As a commander in the Military, Jahn was shocked at the poor physical condition of the soldiers during the Napoleonic wars of the early 1800's. As a result, Jahn devised a system of exercises and games intended to improve strength and stamina.
This gave rise to the Turnverein Movement or gymnastic societies which sought not only to build military readiness but also national pride through physical training pursuits.
It was Jahn who devised early models of the gymnastic equipment which are commonly today: the balance beam, horizontal bar, the parallel bars and the vaulting horse.
Labels: Balance Beam, Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, Gymnastic Equipment, Gymnastics, Horizontal Bar, Parallel Bars, Physical Culture, Physical Culture Pioneer, Pommel Horse, Turnverein
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Bringing Home the Gold: Melbourne 1956The date of this photo is November 26th, 1956 and it shows the results of the Men's Light-Heavyweight weightlifting event at the '56 Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia. On his way to the Gold Medal, Tommy Kono set Olympic records in the Press and Snatch and a World Record in the Clean & Jerk and overall total (447.5 kg).
The other American lifter Jim George, from Akron, Ohio, won the Bronze with a 417.5 kg total. Vasīlijs Stepanovs of the Soviet Union took the Silver Medal with a 427.5 total.
Labels: 100 Pound Total, 1956 Olympics, Clean and Jerk, Gold Medal, Jim George, Melbourne Australia, Olympic Record, Olympic Weightlifting, Press, Snatch, Tommy Kono, Vasīlijs Stepanovs, World Record
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Friday, July 10, 2009
Jersey Joe Walcott: Jumping RopeIf you're going to be strong, you should be in shape too... and a great way to get in shape is jumping rope, something many of the old boxers understood quite well. Here's a classic shot, taken on June 17th, 1948, of the legendary boxer Jersey Joe Walcott. At the time he was in training in Grenloch, New Jersey for his then upcoming re-match against the Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis.
Labels: Boxing, Boxing Training, Boxing Workout, Conditioning, Conditioning Workout, Jersey Joe Walcott, Joe Louis, Jumping Rope
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Harry Luft, The Brooklyn SamsonShown here is Harry Luft, age 17, performing his own specialty of tearing not one but TWO 2000 page telephone directories in half. Harry, who weighs but 142 pounds, stand 5 feet 4 and does other strongman feats such as bending iron bars in his teeth, is one of the "Samson Twins" of Brooklyn New York. The other twin is his 15 year old brother Sol who also bends iron bars in his teeth and who emulates his older brother's book tearing stunt by destroying Red Books, which are about 1/3rd as thick as the directories.
Labels: Bar Bending, Brooklyn Samson, Brooklyn Strongman, Feats of Strength, Harry Luft, Oldtime Strongman, Phonebook Tearing, Samson Twins
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Pull-Ups... Chin-Ups... whatever you want to call them they are a great exercise... And you can't beat the simplicity. This Marine is performing his pull-ups during a 2005 deployment to Camp Taqaddum, Iraq as a part of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab's experimental "combat conditioning" physical training program.
Labels: Bodyweight Calisthenics, Calisthenics, Chin Ups, Marines, Military Training, Physical Training, Physical Training Program, Pullups
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Thursday, July 09, 2009
Custom Wooden Indian ClubsMany early examples of Indian Clubs like these were ornately decorated by their users. A little bit of customization is not necessary, but does make club swinging a little more fun.
Labels: Custom Indian Clubs, Hardwood Indian Clubs, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Leroy SabaBodybuilder Leroy Saba on the cover of the May, 1963 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. He won his class in the AAU Mr. California contest that year. A few years before, Saba finished second to Red Lerille at the 1960 AAU Mr. America Contest (He was also runner up for the 'Most Muscular' sub-division as well).
Saba was uncharacteristically strong for a bodybuilder, with a a 500 lb. squat, 325 lb. bench press, 455 lb. deadlift and 240 lb. press to his credit (at a bodyweight of only 165 lbs.)
Labels: 1960 Mr. America Contest, AAU, Bench Press, Bodybuilder, Bodybuilding Magazine, Cover, Deadlift, Leroy Saba, Mr. California, Press, Red Lerille, Squat, Strength and Health Magazine
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| A Strongman should have an equally strong walking stick. Look at the great Croatian Strongman Marijan Matijevic - his walking stick, shown here, was made of solid steel and weighed in around 28 pounds. You can visit his walking stick, and a few other artifacts of the great man at the City Museum of the Croatian town of Vinkovci. |  Matijevic's Walking Stick |
Labels: Artifacts, Croatian Strongman, Marijan Matijevic, Walking Cane
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Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Paul Anderson's WheelsWhat do you do when you need to squat 600+ pounds but a normal barbell won't hold enough weight? (And they didnt have 100 lb. plates back then.) This was Paul Anderson's solution, a set of wheels he found in a junk yard in his native town of Toccoa, Georgia. At first, everybody thought he was crazy, of course, they changed their tune when he came home from the '56 Olympics with a shiny new Gold Medal. I don't know of anyone who looked as relaxed as Big Paul when handling such big weights.
Labels: 1956 Olympics, Barbell, Gold Medal, Paul Anderson, Paul Anderson's Wheels, Squatting, Unique Equipment
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Training with HackenschmidtA look at George Hackenschmidt's training partners from when he was preparing to face Frank Gotch for the second time. From left to right, Jacob Koch, the former German World Champion, "Hack" himself, Gus 'Americus' Schoenlein, and the crafty veteran Dr. Benjamin Roller. It must have been a good camp, they all look like they are ready to take on all comers.
Labels: Americus, Benjamin Roller, George Hackenschmidt, Gotch vs. Hackenschmidt, Gus Schoenlein, Training Camp
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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
York Simplex Weight Training SetsNeed a weight set? York has long been the standard as far as barbells and dumbbells are concerned. Here's a few of the weight sets you could have ordered back in the 1950s. There's no telling how many people built a heck of a lot of size and strength with this very equipment. This was back in the days when you could address an envelope with only "Muscletown USA" and it would be delivered promptly to Bob Hoffman in York, PA.
Labels: Barbell and Plates, Bob Hoffman, Equipment, Muscletown USA, York Barbell, York Barbell Company, York Barbells, York Weight Sets
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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
The One and Only Hammer ManThe Legendary Slim The Hammer Man doing his thing. Why do I say "The One and Only?" - Just take a look at the picture.
Labels: Hammer Training, Oldtime Strongman, Sledge Hammer Leverage, Sledge Hammer Strength, Sledgehammer, Slim The Hammerman, Train with Sledge Hammers
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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
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Henry "Milo" SteinbornThis poster shows the mighty Milo Steinborn making records while performing different feats at Herrmann's Gym in Philadelphia, PA back in October of 1921. His one-arm snatch and the one-hand clean & jerk were amazing lifts at the time. He also squatted with over 500 pounds which he "rocked" onto his shoulders unassisted - a much tougher way to do squats!
Labels: Herrmann's Gym, Milo Steinborn, One Arm Clean and Jerk, one arm snatch
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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
The Amazing SamsonHuman cannon acts have long been a feature attraction with circuses. Only Alexander Zass, known as 'The Amazing Samson', performed a version of this dramatic center ring spectacle that has never been duplicated. This European strongman star executed the cannon act so that his agile brawn replaced the net in catching his partner as she was catapulted across the arena.
Labels: Alexander Zass, Amazing Samson, Cannon, Circus, Circus Act, Circus Strongman
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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
Monday, July 06, 2009
| At the 1908 World Weightlifting Championship, won by Josef Grafl, the second place winner was Eduard Danzer of old Vienna. Danzer lifted as follows:
|  Eduard Danzer |
Labels: 1908 World Weightlifting Championships, Eduard Danzer, Josef Grafl, one arm snatch, Press, Snatch
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Warren Lincoln TravisPictures of Warren Lincoln Travis in action are extremely rare, but this just happens to be one (and you saw it here first). Here, Travis supports close to a ton of human weight on his shoulders.
Labels: Feats of Strength, Human Lift, Oldtime Strongman Feat, Supporting Feat, Warren Lincoln Travis
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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
The Greatest Lift of All TimeOn April 28th, 1962 Norb Schemansky accomplish this lift - a 362 lb. snatch - which was called 'The Greatest Lift of All Time'.
Of note are the iron weights. Norb often says that Olympic weightlifters were stronger back in his day even if they are lifting heavier weights today. The reason was that back then, with iron weights, lifters had to control the heavy weights they lifted overhead back to the rack position at the chest and then back to the floor. This made the handling of heavier weights that much easier. Today, with bumper plates, lifters simply drop their lifts from the top position, thus robbing themselves of much of the benefits (and strength gains). Certainly something to think about...
Labels: Norb Schemansky, Record, Record Lift, Snatch
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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
The Weaver StickThe great strength author George Weaver came up with a unique strength challenge which now bears his name: The Weaver Stick.
You can easily make your own with a broom stick. An official weaver stick is exactly 42 inches long with the challenge being to grasp the end of it, no closer than 5-1/2 inches from the opposite end, and lift a weight from the floor, all the while keeping the stick perfectly level.
A lift of 6-8 pounds in this manner is exceptional. The great weight lifting champion John Davis for example, could lift 8 pounds, while John Grimek set the modern record with 11 pounds.
Labels: George R. Weaver, Grip Challenge, Grip Strength, John Davis, John Grimek, Weaver Stick, Wrist Strength
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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
Roy HilligennRoy Hilligenn did some training at York in preparation for the 1951 Mr. America Contest (which he eventually won). Here he is in front of the famous Warren Lincoln Travis Dumbbell which, at the time, sat in front of Bob Hoffman's house in York, Pennsylvania.
The famous dumbbell can currently be seen at the York Barbell Museum and if you know where to look in York, you can also see Bob Hoffman's old house too.
Labels: 1951 Mr. America, Bob Hoffman, Bodybuilder, Famous Dumbbell, Roy Hilligenn, Travis Dumbbell, Warren Lincoln Travis, York Barbell Company Museum, York Pennsylvania
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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
Saturday, July 04, 2009
100-Pound York DumbellsAmazingly, 100-Pound York Dumbells like these have become collector's items in recent years; mostly because people tend to cut them up to use as Blobs. Sure, Blobs are nice but so are dumbbells you can actually train with. As you can probably tell, this pair still gets well used (And I have no plans to cut 'em).
Labels: Dumbbell Training, Dumbbells, The Blob, York Dumbbell, York Dumbbells, York 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
Friday, July 03, 2009
Sig Klein: Partial DeadliftsAt a strength show held in 1922 at New York City's Bryant Hall, Sig Klein got a chance to test out a piece of equipment designed by George Jowett which was used for performing partial deadlifts. The ACWLA on Sig's singlet stood for the American Continental Weight-Lifter's Association, which Jowett founded.
Labels: ACWLA, George Jowett, Patial Deadlift, Sig Klein, Strongman 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
Charles RigoulotThe great French Strongman Charles Rigoulot is shown here in a rare shot about to perform a one-arm dumbbell swing with 194 pounds.
Labels: Charles Rigoulot, Dumbbell Swing, French Strongman, French Weightlifter, Globe Dumbbell
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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
Paul Anderson: Elephant vs. GazelleWhat would happen if an Elephant raced a Gazelle? Hard to say but it probably wouldn't be all that different from the time back in '58 when all 350 pounds of champion weightlifter and strongman Paul Anderson and Jim Lea, the 440 yard dash World record holder at the time, took their marks for a 50-yard sprint contest.
The event was held at San Jose State's Spartan Field and, as you might have guessed, the smaller man was the eventual winner... but as you might not have expected, Lea's margin of victory was less than two stride lengths.
Labels: Jim Lea, Paul Anderson, Running, Sprinting
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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
Wooden DumbbellsWooden Dumbbells like this one were used for calisthenic work a century ago. If you look closely at this particular dumbbell you can see that it is stamped "1 lb." and was manufactured by the Narragansett Machine Company.
Labels: Antique Equipment, Calisthenics, Narragansett Machine Company, Physical Culture Equipment, Vintage Exercise, Vintage Strength Equipment, Wooden Dumbbells
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, July 02, 2009
Bob Hoffman's Ten in One Hi-ProteenStraight from the pages of Strength and Health Magazine comes Bob Hoffman's Ten in One Hi-Proteen. What made it "Ten in One?"
According to the label it contained "TEN of the best natural high protein products which are rarely, if ever, found in adequate quantity on the usual diet, blended in the exact proportions to promote bodily efficiency."
Namely:
1. Mira Soy - Natural Soya Powder
2. Caseinate of Milk
3. Cotton Seed Protein
4. Egg Albumen
5. Gelatin
6. Peanut Meal
7. Brewer's Yeast
8. Wheat germ
9. A 96% Soya Protein
10. Lecithin
(Sounds delicious.)
Labels: Bob Hoffman, Food Supplement, Hoffman's Super Hi-Proteen, Protein Powder, Strength and Health Magazine
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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
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