Paul Anderson "A Wonder of Nature"

Paul Anderson "A Wonder of Nature"
The great Paul Anderson warms up before a weightlifting exhibition at Dynamo Stadium in Russia, circa 1955 (at the height of the Cold War), as Bob Hoffman, Tommy Kono and other members of the York Gang look on.

At the time, the World record in the Olympic press was 330-1/2 pounds, set by the Russian champion, Medvedev. In front of a crowd of 15,000 people on a rainy day, Paul Anderson pressed 402-1/2 pounds.

The Russian crowd gave Anderson a standing ovation and rightfully began calling him "Chudo Prirody," which means "a wonder of nature."

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Hoffman's Super Hi-Proteen

Hoffman's Super Hi-Proteen

I'm sure many of our viewers won't forget their first taste of Bob Hoffman's Super Hi-Proteen mix which was one of the very first commercially available food supplements. Hoffman's Super Hi-Proteen was available in standard plain, chocolate and vanilla flavors and black walnut and coconut flavors for more adventurous trainee. It was a little rough around the edges, not unlike today. Hoffman's Hi-Proteen is also responsible for many of the greatest "blender bomb" stories ever told (in the pursuit of making it palatable - which, I'm sure, was quite a task.)

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The York Barbell Broad Street Gym

The York Barbell Broad Street Gym
One of the great training halls was the old York Barbell gym, located on Broad Street on York PA. It was an old factory converted to a gym, with nothing but a couple lifting platforms, a climbing rope, a few old dumbbells and plenty of iron.

It was hot, dark and cramped (just like a great gym should be)and the equipment was old, but solid and it produced an untold number of strength Champions in bodybuilding and Olympic weightlifting.

That's Ike Berger on the platform working on his press while Bob Hoffman, Tommy Kono and others look on.

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The Mighty Atom - Nail Biting

The Mighty Atom - Nail Biting
There are several good steel benders in the world right now but here is a feat we are unlikely to see again any time soon: The Might Atom could actually bite through nails. As Bob Hoffman and other members of the York Gang look on, "The Atom" bites a nail in half during one of his appearances at the York fair.

I don't know for sure but I wouldn't be surprised if this ended up being the bitten nail that can seen in the The York Barbell Hall of Fame.

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Classic Muscular Development Magazine

Classic Muscular Development Magazine
Bob Hoffman and the York Barbell Company began Strength and Health Magazine in 1932 to highlight and promote the wonders of proper strength training to the world. These early Strength and Health magazines covered a variety of topics including bodybuilding, Olympic weightlifting, Nutrition, athletic training and more.

In 1964, the York Barbell company started its second magazine entitled "Muscular Development" which was devoted specifically to bodybuilding. The editor of Muscular Development Magazine from 1964 until 1986 was none other than John Grimek (who also graced the first cover.)

The first five issues are featured above (January to May 1964) Covermen from left to right John Grimek,Bill Pearl, Bernie Earnst, Larry Scott and Hugo Labra.

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Bob Hoffman and York Barbell

Bob Hoffman

At a time when just about everyone frowned upon weight lifting, Bob Hoffman was one of the few that understood its benfits. He made high-quality training equipment and sound training advice available to everyone and under his leadership York, Pennsylvania (a.k.a Muscletown USA) became the center of the Strength world. Hoffman's "boys" were Champions, plain and simple. Among them: John Grimek (God of Bodybuilders, Mr. America of 1940 and 1941), Steve Stanko (first man to break the 1000 lb. barrier in Olympic Weight Lifting) and Tommy Kono (2-time Olympic Gold Medal Winner.)

Hoffman's books, training courses, and magazines ("Strength and Health," and Muscular Development) taught millions of young men the thrill of strength.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to Bob Hoffman.

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