Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Mr. America '68, Jim HaislopJim Haislop, the popular bodybuilder from Tampa, Florida, shows the foundation of his development: squats. Haislop had quite a career, winning Mr. Florida in 1965, Mr. North America in 1966, Mr. Northern States and Mr. USA in 1967, Mr. America and Junior Mr. America in 1968 and took first in his class at the 1969 NABBA Mr. Universe.
Labels: 1940 Mr. America Contest, 1968 Mr. America, AAU, Bodybuilding, Jim Haislop, Mr. America, Mr. Florida, Mr. North America, Mr. Northern States, Mr. Universe, Mr. USA, NABBA, Squat
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Saturday, September 26, 2009
Jack LaLanneA very Happy Birthday to Jack LaLanne who turns 95 today. Here's Jack on the cover of the January, 1947 issue of Body Moderne Magazine (put out by Walt Baptiste). Bernice Buchanan looks on.
Labels: Body Moderne, Bodybuilding, Cover, Jack LaLanne, Walt Baptiste
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Muscular Development Magazine, May 1964: Hugo LabraThe popular bodybuilder Hugo Labra on the cover of the May, 1964 of Muscular Development Magazine. It is very well known today but at the time Muscular Development was a very new magazine... This was only the 5th issue.
Labels: Bodybuilding, Bodybuilding Magazine, Cover, Hugo Labra, Magazine, Muscular Development
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Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Kimon Voyages: Strength and Health Magazine June, 1945Kimon Voyages on the cover if the June, 1945 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. Kimon once squatted 200 pounds for 100 reps straight - and it certainly shows here. He had won the Jr. Mr. America title just a few years before, in 1942.
Labels: Bodybuilding, Cover, Kimon Voyages, Squat, Strength and Health Magazine
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Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Steve Reeves - THE Classic PhysiqueIt's not hard to see why Steve Reeves was known as THE Classic Physique - just take a look. During his career Reeves won the 1947 AAU Mr. America , Mr. Pacific Coast and Mr. Western American Contests, the 1948 Mr. World contest, and the 1950 NABBA Mr. Universe contest.
Labels: 1947 Mr. America, AAU, Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Mr. America, Mr. Pacific Coast, Mr. Universe, Mr. Western American, Steve Reeves
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009
1946 Mr. America Alan StephanAlan Stephan on the cover of the August 1946 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. As evident by the headline, Stephan was the newly crowned 1946 AAU Mr. America. He also won the IFBB Pro-Mr. America in 1949.
Labels: 1940 Mr. America Contest, 1946 Mr. America Contest, AAU, Alan Stephan, Bodybuilding, Cover, Muscle Magazine, Strength and Health
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Monday, June 01, 2009
Elmo SantiagoElmo Santiago on the cover of the July, 1959 issue of Ironman Magazine. He won the AAU Junior Mr. America contest that year.
The popular (and quite prolific) New York bodybuilder also won the AAU Mr. New York Metropolitan contest in 1953, Mr. New York City in 1954, Mr. Eastern America in 1958, Mr. North America in 1960, and the 1965 NABBA Mr. Universe title.
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Cover, Elmo Santiago, Iron Man Magazine, Jr. Mr. America, Mr. New York City, Mr. New York Metropolitan, Mr. Universe, NABBA
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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
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Sunday, April 26, 2009
| 1. Red Lerille 2. Ray Routledge 3. Joe Lazzaro 4. William Stathes 5. Joe Abbenda 6. Bill Golumbick 7. Frank Quinn 8. Elmo Santiago 9. Mike Ferraro 10. John Gourgott 11. Leroy Saba 12. Don Van Fleteren 13. Kenny Hall 14. Pete Ganios 15. Steve Sakoulos 16. Bill March 17. Buddy Basil 18. Harold Poole 19. Paul Mintal 20. James Piesrante 21. Raymond Huecke 22. Bill Galewood 23. Michael Majoris 24. Henry Efland 25. Nick Spano |  Lloyd "Red" LerilleMost Muscular: 1. Red Lerille 2. Leroy Saba 3. Kenny Hall |
Labels: 1960 Mr. America Contest, Bill March, Bodybuilding, Bodybuilding Contest, Elmo Santiago, Joe Abbenda, Joe Lazzaro, Ken Hall, Leroy Saba, Most Muscular, Red Lerille
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Sunday, March 08, 2009
Reg Park: Chest Expander TrainingThree time Mr. Universe winner and bodybuilding legend Reg Park was a big fan of chest expanders. He included them in his workouts frequently and even created and sold his own brand, which are shown above.
Labels: Bodybuilding, Chest Expanders, Mr. Universe, Reg Park, Reg Park Workout, Training Equipment
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
| 1. Jim Park 2. Malcolm Brenner 3. George Paine 4. Don Van Fleteren 5. Irvin "Zabo" Koszewski 6. Walt Cuzzimano 7. Vic Seipke 8. Harry Smith 9. Mickey Hargitay 10. Bill Cerdas 11. Tim Sweeney 12. Ralph Brunhart 13. Art Zeller 14. George Jones 15. Dominick Juliano 16. Harry Johnson 17. Leroy Colbert |  1952 AAU Mr. America Jim Park |
Labels: 1952 Mr. America, Art Zeller, Bodybuilding, Bodybuilding Contest, Cover, George Paine, Irvin Zabo Koszewski, Jim Park, Leroy Colbert, Malcolm Brenner, Mickey Hargitay, Strength and Health Magazine
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Saturday, January 17, 2009
| 1. Roy Hilligenn 2. Malcolm Brenner 3. Marvin Eder 3. George Paine 5. Pepper Gomez 6. Keith Stephan 7. Victor Nicoletti 9. Joe Sanceri 9. John Witkowski 10. Ken Cameron - Max Grunig - Ed Heckinger - Elwood Holbrook - Ed Holovchik - Dominick Juliano - Alvin Lee - Newman Lewis - Ralph Mascaro - Allen Moraes - Elias Rodriguez - Stan Stanczyk - Carlin Venus - George Waselinko - Monte Wolford |  Roy Hilligenn won the "Most Muscular"award as well as the overall title |
Labels: 1951 Mr. America, AAU, Bodybuilding, Bodybuilding Contest, Carlin Venus, Elwood Holbrook, George Paine, Malcolm Brenner, Marvin Eder, Pepper Gomez, Roy Hilligenn, Stan Stanczyk
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Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Mr. America 1961 Ray RoutledgeRay Routledge, 1961 AAU Mr. America on the cover of the December 1960 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. Routledge was also the 1961 NABBA Mr. Universe.
Labels: 1961 Mr. Amerrica, AAU, Bodybuilder, Bodybuilding, Cover, Mr. America, NABBA, Strength and Health Magazine
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Friday, January 09, 2009
Bill PearlThere is little doubt that Bill Pearl is one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. He won nearly every contest he ever entered (including 1953 AAU Mr. America, 1953, 1961, 1967, 1971 NABBA Mr. Universe and 1965 Mr. USA), appeared on dozens on bodybuilding magazine covers, ran a successful gym, authored several best selling training books, performed classical feats of strength and today still trains regularly and runs a thriving business. Here's how he looked on the cover of the September, 1957 issue of Ironman Magazine.
Labels: 1953 Mr. America, AAU, Bill Pearl, Bodybuilding, Iron Man Magazine, Mr. America, NABBA, Strength Author
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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Results of the 1940 AAU Mr. America Contest:
| 1. John Grimek 2. Frank Leight 3. Ludwig Schusterich 4. Chick Deutch 5. John Gallagher 6. George Lapausky - Dave Asnis - Monroe Brown - Jack Channing - Elmer Farnham - Carl Hempe - Gene Jantzen - Melvin Kahn - Terry Robinson - Tony Terlazzo - Joseph Thaler - Herman Weinsoff - Charles Whitlock |  John Grimek won the "Most Muscular" subdivision as well as the overall title |
Labels: 1940 Mr. America Contest, Bodybuilding, Frank Leight, John Grimek, Most Muscular, Mr. America 1940, Tony Terlazzo
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September, 1944 Strength and Health Magazine: Steve StankoThe great Steve Stanko on the cover of the September, 1944 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. Steve was equal parts champion weightlifter (1st man to break the 1000 pound barrier in the 3 Olympic lifts) and bodybuilder (1944 AAU Mr. America and first Mr. Universe ever in 1947. Steve Stanko is featured prominantly in Brooks Kubik's new book Legacy of Iron.
Labels: 1000 Pound Barrier, 1944 Mr. America, Bodybuilding, Cover, Legacy of Iron, Mr. Universe, Steve Stanko, Strength and Health Magazine
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Sunday, December 28, 2008
John GrimekIt has been said that it was impossible to take a bad picture of John Grimek, and I believe it. Today, there there are bodybuilders who outweigh Grimek by over a hundred pounds, yet few are more impressive...
Labels: Bodybuilding, John Grimek
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Friday, December 19, 2008
 Sig Klein at 57 years of Age | "I have always found the kettlebell to be one of the most useful and fascinating pieces of weight training apparatus. It can be handled in so many diverse manners that its application in the field of body-building exercises is almost without limit. You will have to hunt for a long time to find a more versatile piece of training equipment." - Sig Klein |
Labels: Bodybuilding, Kettlebell, kettlebell training, Sig Klein
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Thursday, December 11, 2008
 Reg Park | The thing about many of the oldtime bodybuilders is that they didn't need to pump up to be impressive, they just were impressive. Here the great Reg Park gets in a few sets of arm work. and below, one of his favorite routines: Mon - Wed - Fri |
Labels: Arm Exercise, Bodybuilding, Reg Park, Reg Park Workout, Tricep Press, Tricep Work, Workout. Routine
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Friday, November 28, 2008
Steve ReevesSteve Reeves, the 1947 Mr. America shows why he was known as THE Classic Physique. Reeves' favorite exercises for building his 23-1/2" wide shoulders were lateral raises and the behind-the-neck press.
Labels: 1947 Mr. America, Behind The Neck Press, Bodybuilding, Classic Bodybuilder, Classic Physique, Lateral Raise, Steve Reeves
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Friday, November 07, 2008
Steve Reeves - HERCULES!Many actors have played the mythical Greek hero Hercules, but certainly one of the most memorable was bodybuilding legend Steve Reeves. Although the 1947 Mr. America winner played Hercules only twice -- in the 1958 film "Hercules" and its sequel "Hercules Unchained" (1960) -- they became very popular, and many more "Sword and Sandal" pictures followed.
Labels: Bodybuilding, Hercules, Steve Reeves
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Friday, October 31, 2008
Jack LaLanneJack Lalanne on the cover the of the January, 1947 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. Jack is still going strong at 94 years of age!
Labels: Bodybuilding, Cover, Jack LaLanne, Muscle Magazine, Strength and Health Magazine
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Thursday, October 09, 2008
Mr. America 1960 Red LerilleIt all began with a skinny, red-haired kid from Louisiana who wanted to grow up to be Mr. America -- and he did it!
That skinny kid was Lloyd "Red" Lerille, shown here on the cover of the March 1961 issue of Strength and Health magazine. Red was famous for his chest development which is evident in this picture. In 1963 Red opened his first gym and went first class all the way. Through the years it has grown into one of the finest gyms/health clubs in the country. If you're ever in the Lafayette, Louisiana area, be sure to stop by and get in a workout (and tell Red we said "Hi!")
(Bonus points for noticing the first appearance of "Protein from the Sea" in this issue.)
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Cover, Mr America, Strength and Health Magazine
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The Iron Guru Vince GirondaKnown as "The Iron Guru," Vince Gironda left an indelible mark on the bodybuilding world. For over fifty years "Vince's Gym" was one of the most popular bodybuilding gyms in the country and a number of famous bodybuilders AND movie stars often trained there. Vince was one of the first muscle experts to place a great deal of emphasis on nutrition and was also well known for his "unorthodox" training methods and unusual exercise ideas.
Labels: Bodybuilder, Bodybuilding, Bodybuilding Gym, Iron Guru, Vince Gironda, Vinces Gym
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Wednesday, May 07, 2008
The great Eugen Sandow wrote a number of books over his lifetime. Here is a look at them, in order of publication:
 Eugen Sandow |
Labels: Bodybuilding, Eugen Sandow, Life is Movement, Physical Training, Sandow's System of Physical Training, Strength Author
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Sunday, May 04, 2008
Sam LoprinziSam Loprinzi was a very popular bodybuilder in the 1940s and 1950s. The picture above shows the kind of shape that he was in when he finished second at the 1946 AAU Mr. America contest and also took home the "Most Muscular" sub-division trophy.
Sam Loprinzi was on the cover of Strength and Heath Magazine several times and also ran a successful gym in the Portland, Oregon Area (which, evidently, is still in business.)
Labels: 1946 Mr. America Contest, AAU, Bodybuilding, Loprinzi's Gym, Most Muscular, Sam Loprinzi, Strength and Health Magazine
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Friday, May 02, 2008
Elwood Holbrook - Master of the Bent PressElwood Holbrook took 4th at the 1941 AAU Mr. America Contest AND took home the "Best Arms" award (He had also competed in the afternoon's weightlifting contest where he finished 6th with a 715-pound total in the 165-pound class.)
While Holbrook was a very talented strength athlete and equally good at bodybuilding as well as weightlifting, his real gift was the bent press -- he won the national Bent-Press Championship in a contest held by Sig Klein.
Holbrook was also one of the few men to bent press the famous Rolandow Dumbbell - a feat which he did on his first try and without a warmup.
Here's a shot of a 48-year old Elwood Holbrook bent-pressing 240 pounds -- 75 pounds above his bodyweight. That unique dumbbell belonged to Paul Anderson.
Labels: 1941 Mr. America Contest, AAU, Bent Press Arthur Saxon, Best Arms, Bodybuilding, Elwood Holbrook, Olympic Weightlifting, Paul Anderson, Rolandow Dumbbell, Sig Kleins Gym, Total
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Monday, April 07, 2008
Chest Expanders It's hard to tell from this angle but I believe that's 1945 AAU Mr. America Clarence "Clancy" Ross demonstrating one of the very best chest expander exercises.
Just another example in the long line of Champions who have built their strength from using them.
Labels: 1945 Mr. America, Back Exercise, Back Press, Bodybuilding, Chest Expander Exercise, Chest Expander, Clancy Ross, Golden Age Bodybuilder, Mr. America, Shoulder Exercise
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Saturday, April 05, 2008
Walter GoodWalter Good, one of the Good Brothers as he appeared in the early 1930s. Like his brother Bill, Walter Good was also an Olympian, competing in the 75-Kilo Class at the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin.
Walter also appeared on the cover of several early bodybuilding magazines.
Labels: 1936 Olympics, Bodybuilding, Good Brothers, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympics, Walter Good
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Monday, March 24, 2008
Melvin WellsMelvin Wells was a great bodybuilder during the 1940's and 50's.
He won the "Most-Muscular" title but finished second in the 1949 AAU Mr. America contest to Jack Dellinger. He repeated this feat the next year, finishing second at the 1950 AAU Mr. America contest, this time to John Farbotnik. but again winning the "Most Muscular" award.
Wells did eventually win a contest, finishing first at the 1951 "Mr. Strength and Health" contest.
What is most interesting about Melvin Wells though is that he didn't lift barbells and dumbbells, he lifted rocks in an unheated garage at his home in Buffalo, New York.
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilder, Bodybuilding, Golden Age Bodybuilder, Jack Dellinger, John Farbotnik, Melvin Wells, Mr. Strength and Health, Mr.America Contest, Rock Lifting
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Friday, March 21, 2008
Frank Leight - Mr. America 1942Frank Leight, AAU Mr. America 1942, with some classic globe barbells and kettlebells on the cover of the July, 1942 issue of Strength and Health Magazine.
Frank Leight finished 2nd in 1940 (losing to John Grimek and 3rd in 1941 (again behind Grimek, and Jules Bacon)before finally winning the Mr. America contest himself in 1942.
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Cover, Frank Leight, Globe Barbell, Golden Age Bodybuilder, John Grimek, Jules Bacon, Milo Kettlebell, Mr. America, Strength and Health Magazine
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008
 John McWilliams | Many people have wondered exactly how it was that John McWilliams built such big arms... The reasons for that should be as straightforward as can be: a)Genetics b)Progressive resistance exercise I hear dumbbell curls are a good bicep exercise -- looks like they worked well enough for John McWilliams. Can't do much about your genetics,but you certainly CAN use this great exercise to build bigger arms. |
Labels: Arm Development, Bicep Exercise, Big Arms, Bodybuilder, Bodybuilding, Dumbbell Curls, Globe Dumbbells, Golden Age Bodybuilder, John McWilliams
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Wednesday, February 20, 2008
 John Grimek | This photograph was taken on May 25, 1940 as John Grimek competed in the Heavy weight class (weighing 183 pounds!) at the weightlifting Senior Nationals at Madison Squar Garden, New York City. In the afternoon he placed 3rd by totalling 860 pounds (including the 285 pound press shown here) Later that day he beat Frank Leight to win the AAU Mr. America bodybuilding title, including the "Most Musclular" and "Best Arms" subdivions. |
Labels: AAU, Best Arms, Bodybuilding, John Grimek, Most Muscular, Mr. America 1940, Overhead Press, weightlifting
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Friday, February 08, 2008
Armand Tanny's Favorite Exercise: The One Arm CleanArmand Tanny (brother of Vic Tanny) was a very successful bodybuilder in the late 40's and 50's, and a regular at the original Santa Monica Muscle Beach scene.
Tanny competed in many major bodybuilding contests and won the Pro-Mr. America in 1950. His favorite exercise was one you don't often see these days: the one arm clean.
Its hard to tell how heavy the bar is loaded to in this shot -- I'd say at least 225 or so, and you sure won't find any bodybuilders who could do that these days.
Labels: Armand Tanny, Barbell, Bodybuilding, Feat, Golden Age Bodybuilder, Mr. America, Muscle Beach, One Arm Clean, Pro Mr. America, Vic Tanny
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Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Bill Pettis Big ArmsAnother look at Bill Pettis' 23-1/4 inch arms. Bill actually did compete in a few Bodybuilding contests in the 1970's, finishing as high as third in the IFBB World Pro Championships.
Maybe, just maybe, Bill's arms didn't quite stretch the tape that far, but they certainly are impressive. Bill's not too shabby in the forearm department either...
Labels: Arm Development, Bicep Strength, Big Arms, Bill Pettis, Bodybuilder, Bodybuilding, Tricep Work
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| The well-known bodybuilder John McWilliams wrote his own arm development course entitled "Big Arms for You" which he advertised in Iron Man Magazine for years. As you can see, his arms were quite impressive. -- McWilliams wasn't all show though, he also had a 710 pound deadlift to his name. |  John McWilliams - Big Arms For You |
Labels: Arm Development, Bicep Exercise, Bicep Workout, Big Arms, Bodybuilder, Bodybuilding, Deadlift, Golden Age Bodybuilder, Iron Man Magazine, John McWilliams, Strength Author, Training Course
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 Reg Park | There's not too many folks who are instantly recognizable from the back but any iron fan knows that this is undoubtedly Reg Park. Here's Reg pressing a pair of 110-pound dumbbells at the original Muscle Beach. I sure couldn't think of anyone better than Reg to play Hercules in the movies. ... The two-dumbbell press is a great shoulder builder, as you can see. |
Labels: Bodybuilding, Dumbbell Press, Dumbbell Exercise, Golden Age Bodybuilder, Hercules, Muscle Beach, Reg Park, Reg Park Workout, Shoulder Exercise, Two Dumbbell Press
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Friday, February 01, 2008
| Originally from Hazard, Kentucky, Ron Lacy was the winner of the 1957 AAU Mr. America Contest. He also won the 1955 Mr. Kentucky Contest and finished first in the medium class in the NABBA Mr. Universe contest. Ron was also well known for his leg development and once squatted 300 pounds for 50 consecutive reps. |  Mr. America 1957 Ron Lacy |
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Golden Age Bodybuilder, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, NABBA, Ron Lacy, Squat Workout
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Wednesday, January 30, 2008
 Bert GoodrichThe First Mr. America | The first ever AAU Mr. America was Bert Goodrich, shown here on an early cover of Iron Man Magazine. Bert got his start by training with Earle E. Liederman's courses and was a tremendous athlete in highschool, excelling in hand balancing, swimming, and track and field events. He went on to became a stuntman in several Hollywood Movies and later opened up his own gym. |
Labels: AAU, Bert Goodrich, Bodybuilding, Cover, Earle E. Liederman, Iron Man Magazine, Mr. America
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Friday, January 18, 2008
 Chuck Ahrens and Bert Elliot | Two fixtures in the Santa Monica, California Muscle Beach scene share a laugh in the late 1950's - Chuck Ahrens and Bert Elliott. Chuck Ahrens was a man of immeasurable power, and Bert Elliott was a champion weightlifter and bodybuilder (He won the 1954 Sr. Nationals Weightlifting Title in the 165 Pound Class (totaling 765 pounds), the 1953 "Iron Man" bodybuilding contest as well as the 1954 AAU Mr. Southern California.) At their feet is Bert Elliott's 201 pound "challenge" dumbbell which he could bent- press with ease. |
Labels: AAU, Bent Press, Bert Elliott, Bodybuilding, Challenge Weight, Chuck Ahrens, Dumbbell, Globe Dumbbell, Iron Man, Mr. Southern California, Muscle Beach
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Thursday, January 17, 2008
1971 AAU Mr America Casey ViatorOn June 12th, 1971, Casey Viator went on to win the AAU Mr. America bodybuilding contest in the most dominating fashion imaginable.
In addition to winning the overall title, in that contest Casey also nearly swept the sub-categories of Best Arms, Best Back, Best Chest and Most Muscular.
The only award Casey did not win at that contest was "Best Abdominals" (probably because He won everything else.)
Find out his exact training here.
Labels: AAU, Back Exercise, Best Arms, Best Back, Best Chest, Bodybuilding, Casey Viator, Most Muscular, Mr. America
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Harold ZinkinHarold Zinkin, shown here on the cover of the June, 1947 issue of Strength & Health Magazine, won the 1941 "Mr. California" bodybuilding contest and was a fixture on the original Santa Monica Muscle Beach scene where he thrilled the crowds with feats of strength, hand balancing and acrobatics.
Zinkin later invented the Universal Gym Machine.
Labels: Bodybuilding, Cover, Golden Age Bodybuilder, Hand Balancing, Harold Zinkin, Muscle Beach, Strength and Health, Universal Machine
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Saturday, January 05, 2008
| You can see why they say Steve Reeves has the classic physique -- he looked like a Greek statue brought to life. He was also one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time, winning almost every contest he entered including the 1947 AAU Mr. America title. Reeves trained at the York Barbell Club in York, PA for the 1950 NABBA Mr. Universe contest (which he won.) While there, John Grimek, watched him train, and later wrote an article about what he saw in the November, 1964 issue of Muscular Development Magazine. |  Steve Reeves |
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Exercises, John Grimek, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Muscular Development, NABBA, Steve Reeves, Workout
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| Vern Weaver won the AAU Mr. America contest in 1963. He was well known for his superb back development could power clean close to 400 pounds! Here's a look at one of his weekly routines: Monday and Thursday: |  1963 Mr. America Vern Weaver |
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Cover, Mr. America, Strength and Health, Strength and Health Magazine, Vern Weaver, Workout Routine
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Thursday, January 03, 2008
| Before authoring over 50 books on strength training and meeting Arthur Jones, Ellington Darden was a very successful bodybuilder in the 60's and 70's. Interestingly enough, Ellington Darden won the 1969 Mr. Texas Bodybuilding contest, the same contest where a 17 year old Casey Viator finished 4th. This shot was taken a few days after Ellington Darden won the 1972 AAU Collegiate Mr. America Contest. |  Ellington Darden |
Labels: AAU, Arthur Jones, Bodybuilding, Casey Viator, Collegiate Mr. America, Ellington Darden, Mr. Texas, Strength Author
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Tuesday, January 01, 2008
 Casey Viator | Casey Viator was easily one of the strongest bodybuilders of all time -- here he is curling 225 pounds during one of his workouts. There was no secret to Casey's success -- basic exercises trained at an intensity level that has to be seen to be believed. Don't let anyone tell you curls are a worthless exercise -- building stronger biceps will help with a stronger "pull" and also balance out tricep development which means stronger presses. ...All worthwhile goals for every strength athlete. |
Labels: Arm Development, Barbell Curls, Barbell Exercise, Bicep Strength, Bodybuilding, Casey Viator
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Dave's Gym - South Bend, IndianaDave Bjoraas, (pictured far right) the legendary "Dave" of Dave's Gym and Dave's Barbell Club of South Bend, Indiana... for many years the center of strength activity in the Mid-Western United States.
Dave's Gym in South Bend, Indiana produced many Iron Game champions: 1956 Mr. America Ray Schaefer trained there. So did Jr. Mr. America Doug Lindzy (pro-wrestling's original "Doug Gilbert").
Dave's Barbell Club Weight-lifting team produced champions like Winston Binney and Mike Burgener. And, most importantly, many of the top football players on Notre Dame's great Irish teams trained with Dave.
Dave's Gym... one of the top gyms ever... Dave Bjoraas, a fine man and a giant in the world of weights.
Labels: Bodybuilding, Classic Strongman Gyms, Daves Gym, Heavyweight Lifting Championships, Jr. Mr. America, Mr. America, Notre Dame, Olympic Weightlifting, weightlifting
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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
Thursday, December 13, 2007
 The Nautilus Squat Machine | Casey Viator uses the Nautilus Squat Machine during the Colorado Experiment. You may recall that Casey put on 63 pounds of muscle over the course of the 28 day experiment and this machine was a big reason behind that. It has been well understood that intense leg work is the key to super strength. This machine allowed the hips and legs to be trained in a manner more intense than any other method created before or since. This particular Nautilus machine never actually went into production. |
Labels: Bodybuilding, Casey Viator, Equipment, Leg Development, Leg Training, Nautilus Machines, Nautilus Squat Machine, Squat Machine, The Colorado Experiment
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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, December 10, 2007
| John Grimek was impressive from all angles and excelled at a number of different strength feats -- but don't forget that the foundation of his strength and power was intense squatting and other forms of heavy leg work. Grimek was able to squat 400 pounds for reps well into his 60s. |  John Grimek Squatting |
Labels: Bodybuilding, Foundation of Strength, John Grimek, Leg Work, Power, Squat, 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
 Bill Pearl | Bill Pearl is one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, having won many different bodybuilding titles over his colorful career. Something you may not realize though is that Bill also began performing traditional feats of strength such as license plate ripping (pictured), chain breaking, spike bending, card tearing and even Nail Driving because he "felt that he should BE as strong as he looked." |
Labels: Bill Pearl, Bodybuilding, Golden Age Bodybuilder, 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
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