Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Sandow Grip Dumb-Bell ~ Advertisement"Why Be Weak When You Can Become Healthy and Strong?" ... still a fine question even a century later. Sandow sold thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of his nifty 'Grip Dumb-Bells' over the years and here's an advertisement for them.
Notice that there are actually six different levels, for men, youths, girls, ladies, boys and children. They also came in two different "styles" the basic style, which was just black enamel, and the "deluxe" style which was polished nickel with leather strips on the handles.
Interestingly, just like athletes of today, these dumbbells were not invented by Sandow but he did lend his name and likeness to them which increased their popularity considerably.
Labels: Advertisement, Eugen Sandow, Grip Equipment, Sandow's Grip Dumbbells, 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
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Hammer StrengthTim Krumrie, the Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro nose tackle is shown here with a classic Globe Barbell in this early advertisement for Hammer Strength equipment. Krumrie was well-known for his incredible hand strength, which should be an essential part of training programs for the game of football. His specific grip routine can be found in this book. Also, this very same barbell can be seen in use by John Grimek here.
Labels: Advertisement, Globe Barbell, Grip Strength, Hammer Strength, Tim Krumrie
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, November 21, 2009
"Breathing is the Vital Force of Life"It was Paul Von Boeckmann's view that while many physical culturists and strongmen might be well developed from a muscular standpoint, the greater likelihood was that they were severely lacking in the cardiovascular department. -- This was back in the teens and twenties mind you -- and, unfortunately, still just as true today. If you want to be a complete strength athlete, don't neglect your conditioning.
Labels: Advertisement, Breathing Exercises, Conditioning, Deep Breathing, Paul Von Boeckmann
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, November 11, 2009
Jowett Institute AdHere's a vintage advertisement for the Jowett Institute of Physical Culture from 1922. Thousands upon thousands of young trainees were introduced to physical training through this ad -- or one very similar to it. Once a Jowett pupil, always a Jowett pupil!
Labels: Advertisement, George Jowett, Jowett Institute, Jowett Institute of Physical Culture
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, October 26, 2009
Milo Barbell Company Ad, 1903Here's one I doubt you have ever seen before, this advertisement for the Milo Barbell Company dates to 1903, back around when it was first established. One thing you will notice about the early Milo dumbbells is that they were not Globes but canister shaped. Oh, and that incredible "system" that they are talking about? It's called "Progressive Resistance Training" and it still works wonders a century later.
Labels: Advertisement, Milo Barbell Company, Milo Dumbbell
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, October 24, 2009
The Schmidt Machine: Life's BackboneProfessor Adrian Schmidt's "Schmidt Machine" was one of the very first commercially made pieces of strength equipment. It was ingenious in its simplicity, allowing for a number of exercises -- even those which required very heavy weights -- to be performed in a minimum of space.
Schmidt felt, and rightly so, that maintaining a strong healthy life was a matter of maintaining a strong and healthy back. This concept, as well as instructions for the exerciser, were all explained in his booklet "Life's Backbone". Back in 1919, when this ad appeared, you could send away for this booklet for 4 cents!
Labels: Adrian Schmidt, Advertisement, Antique Equipment, Back Strength, Life's Background, Professor Schmidt, Schmidt Machine
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, September 19, 2009
The Farmer Burns School of Wrestling Another example of an advertisement for the Farmer Burns school of wrestling: "Never before have actual World's Champions offered their most secret methods of training to the pubic." A lesson from Frank Gotch must have been quite an opportunity. This ad dates back to 1915 but the courses are still available here.
Labels: Advertisement, Farmer Burns, Farmer Burns School of Wrestling, Frank Gotch, Lessons in Wrestling and Physical Culture, Wrestling 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
Monday, September 14, 2009
Spalding Ebonite Hardwood Indian ClubsSpalding provided a number of interesting Indian Clubs during the early part of the last century. These clubs were made of Ebony, a particularly sturdy dark wood which is also quite heavy. They also featured a decorative gold band and nickel plated heads. Given the look, style and makeup, these clubs must have been a lot of fun to train with.
Labels: Advertisement, Hardwood Indian Clubs, Indian Club Advertisement, Indian Clubs, Spalding, Spalding 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, September 13, 2009
What is a Bar-Bell?A look at a Milo Barbell Co. Ad from 1924. In those days, "lifting weights" was not as popular as it is today, hence the need for Alan Calvert to use an ad like this to educate the public as to what a "bar-bell" was and what it could do for someone when they used it correctly. Sig Klein is pictured demonstrating the equipment.
Labels: Advertisement, Alan Calvert, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Kettlebell, Milo Barbell Company, Milo Kettlebell, 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
Friday, August 07, 2009
Professor Anthony Barker's Herkules ExerciserThe need for great equipment hasn't changed much over the last hundred years which is why chest expanders work just as well today. This ad for Professor Anthony Barker, Herkules Exerciser originally appeared in 1910.
Labels: Advertisement, Anthony Barker, Chest Expander, chest expander training, Equipment, Professor Anthony Barker
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, 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
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, June 22, 2009
The York Aristocrat Weight SetThe York Aristocrat Weight Set, circa 1955. Not much more to say other than you can get pretty damn strong with only what is pictured here ~ and many people did!
Labels: Advertisement, Barbell, Barbell and Plates, Dumbbell, swingbell, York Aristocrat Weight Set
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
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
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
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Paramount Olympic SetsYork was always the standard as far as quality Olympic barbell sets... but Muscletown was a long way for some folks to travel. Out on the West coast, a lot of people got their start with Paramount barbells and plates.
Labels: Advertisement, Barbell, Barbell Plates, Gym Equipment, Paramount Barbells, Paramount Olympic Sets
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, April 02, 2009
You Can Bench Press 400 lbs. by "Big" Bill AntonReaders of the classic Iron Man Magazine will no doubt remember this ad, it ran there for years. I've never actually seen "Big" Bill's course and I'm wondering how it is. Pretty good I suspect. The 13th man in the world to bench press over 400 pounds can't be wrong!
Labels: 400 Bench Press, Advertisement, Bench Press, Big Bill Anton, Iron Man Magazine, Mail Order Course, Training Course
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, 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
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
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
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, February 25, 2009
Rheo H. Blair's Instant ProteinLongtime reader's of Iron Man Magazine will no doubt recognize these two fellows and this familiar color scheme. On the right is Irvin Johnson, otherwise known as Rheo H. Blair. (He changed his name after a numerologist said it would make him more successful -- It Worked!)
His secret formula was fashioned after enzymes found in mother's milk. As a result, "Blair's Protein" became THE protein powder of choice of all the top pros and likely the best known supplement of all time. Vince Gironda the Iron Guru, was a big fan and supporter of Blair's Protein and since many Hollywood movie stars trained at Vince's Gym, the popularity of Blair's Protein sky-rocketed.
On the left is classic bodybuilder Don Howorth, one of Blair's top students and winner of many west coast bodybuilding contests, including the 1967 IFBB Mr. America.
Labels: Advertisement, Blair's Protein, Don Howorth, Food Supplement, IFBB, Iron Man Magazine, Protein Powder, Rheo H. Blair, Vince Gironda, Vince's Gym
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, February 22, 2009
| Hand grippers go back a long way, even farther than plate-loaded barbells, in fact. While the materials and spring quality have changed with modern advancements, you can see that the overall design has not changed one bit over the last century. The very first advertisement for spring nutcracker-type hand grippers is pictured on the right and dates to 1901. |  Vintage Hand Grippers |
Labels: Advertisement, Equipment, Grip Equipment, Grip Training Equipment, Hand Gripper, Hand Strength, Hand Strength Equipment, Vintage Hand Gripper
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, December 28, 2008
Vintage Earle E. Liederman AdA vintage ad for Earle E. Liederman's training courses. Notice the exercises: being touted: bent over row, Jefferson Lift, Overhead Press, Bent Press, Bridging -- all serious muscle builders. You sure won't see 'em like this these days.
Labels: Advertisement, Bent Over Rowing, Bent Press, Earle E. Liederman, Jefferson Lift, Neck Bridge, Overhead 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
Friday, December 26, 2008
 The York Hand Balancing Course | The name York Barbell is synonymous with freeweights -- barbells, dumbbells and the like, but they were all about "Strength" in all its many forms. Hand Balancing was, of course, a very popular method of training even with the typical "barbell" man. Articles with hand balancing techniques regularly appeared in Strength and Health Magazine. And, as many past champions demonstrated, hand balancing was a good method for improving one's barbell overhead press. An advertisement for the York Hand Balancing course is shown at the left. |
Labels: Advertisement, Hand Balancing, Strength and Health, Training Course, York Barbell, York Hand Balancing Course
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, December 20, 2008
Jackson Barbell Company AdIf you want to know why equipment manufactured by The Jackson Barbell Company was and is so well thought of, just read the ad and see how much care went into production. Having trained with a "No. 1" set just like the one in the picture, I can tell you it was no exaggeration.
Labels: Advertisement, Barbell, Jackson Barbell Company
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 Milo Barbell Company AdHere's a look at a vintage ad for the Milo Barbell Company circa 1910. Read the words carefully. Interestingly enough, the messages of proper training and necessity for good equipment have not changed one bit over the last hundred years.
Labels: Advertisement, Milo Barbell Company
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, December 12, 2008
Nautilus Bulletin No. 1 Iron Man Ad Thought you might like to see this -- an advertisement for Nautilus Bulletin No. 1 from the pages of the May, 1972 issue of Iron Man Magazine. If the ad looks interesting, imagine reading the whole book...
Labels: Advertisement, Arthur Jones, Iron Man Magazine, Nautilus, Nautilus Bulletins, Nautilus 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
Thursday, October 02, 2008
 The Porta-Gym | Direct from the pages of the old Iron Man Magazine comes the Porta-Gym! ... really just a set of pushup handles or mini-parallettes. Either way, you could still use them for some very good bodyweight exercises or sharpen up your hand balancing skills. |
Labels: Advertisement, Bodyweight Training Equipment, Hand Balancing, Hand Balancing Equipment, Iron Man Magazine, Porta-Gym
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, August 17, 2008
Nerves of Steel - Muscles Like Iron by George JowettNerves of Steel - Muscles Like Iron was an advertising booklet for the Mighty George Jowett, which highlighted his many successful students and which also promoted his Jowett Institute Course.
Labels: Advertisement, George Jowett, Jowett Institute
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 11, 2008
| The Super Gripper is one of the classic pieces of grip training equipment and has actually been around since the early 1940s if you can believe it. The first Super Gripper was invented by a man named Daniel Marvosh of Flint, Michigan and it was advertised in the pages of Strength and Health and Ironman Magazines. This ad is from 1963. |  The Super Gripper |
Labels: Advertisement, Daniel Marvosh, Grip Equipment, Grip Strength, Grip Tools, Iron Man Magazine, Strength and Health, Super Gripper, The Super Gripper
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, July 04, 2007
Whitely GIANT Power Grip!| My friend Sarah found this cool old-time hand gripper in an antique shop somewhere in Michigan and snapped it up for a few bucks. – What a steal! There's no date on this gripper but I’ve seen the design before in a lot of old magazines (see right from 1926.) The one above is in mint condition (including the box) and still a pretty good challenge with all six springs. If you need a more modern grip challenge, check these out: Ironmind Hand Grippers |  Oldtime Ad |
Labels: Advertisement, Grip Equipment, Grip Strength, Grip Training, Strongman 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
Friday, June 22, 2007
| Back in 1899, the hottest thing going was Eugen Sandow's Spring-Grip Dumbbells. These weights consisted of two dumbbell "halves" joined together by a series of springs. As one followed the suggested workout movements, they could build their forearm strength by keeping the two halves "crushed" together while they increased the rest of their bodily strength. Sandow's Spring-Grip dumbbells came in a variety of styles and types -- ranging from "Basic Black" to nickel-plated models with leather handles. Some of the later versions had a bell that rung as you squeezed the handles (Left) or were ergonomically fitted to your hand. (Middle) The smaller version, shown in the right of the picture, was nickel-plated and had only three springs as it was the "Youth" version. |  An Early Ad Sandow's Spring-Grip Dumbbells |
Labels: Advertisement, Antique Equipment, Eugen Sandow, Grip Equipment, Grip Strength, Hand Strength Equipment, Sandow's Grip Dumbbells, Spring Dumbbell, Strongman 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
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