Thursday, September 24, 2009
Paul Von BoeckmannPaul Von Boeckmann, of New Braunfels, Texas, was a very interesting figure in oldtime strength training lore. As a young man he excelled in wrestling and feats of strength, achieving a bent-press of 201 pounds at 21 years old and a Hand and Thigh Lift of 1652 pounds by the next year.
He could also chin himself three times using one finger only, and notch a deck of playing cards. Von Boeckmann was active in the early 1900s but his arm development would be exceptional even a hundred years later. He was big on Breathing Gymnastics for chest development, which is certainly something to explore further.
Labels: Bent Press, Breathing Gymnastics, Card Ripping, Deep Breathing, Hand And Thigh Lift, Oldtime Strongman, One Finger Chin, Paul Von Boeckmann
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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, August 28, 2009
Clevio Massimo Strongman PosterAn old poster of the strongman Clevio Massimo during the time he appeared on the stage throughout the country, depicting some of the feats of strength he included in his act: harness lifting, the One Arm get Up, Kettlebell Crucifix, card ripping, hand balancing etc. He included quite a variety; many not illustrated here, and his ability as a showman only enhanced his fine performances. Massimo also played the violin in one portion of his act to prove he was a capable musician as well as a genuine strongman.
Labels: Card Ripping, Clevio Massimo, Feats of Strength, Hand Balancing, Harness Lifting, Neck Bridge, One Arm Getup, Poster, Strongman Poster
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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, May 14, 2009
Card Ripping in Oven MittsIf you can rip a deck of cards you're pretty strong, but can you rip a deck of cards while wearing oven mitts? Not only can Dennis Rogers do this, he makes it look easy. See it for yourself in 336 Pounds of Fury.
Labels: Card Ripping, Card Tearing, Dennis Rogers, Grip Feat, Hand Strength, Strongman Feat
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Circus Strongman Pierre Gasnier Rips a Deck of CardsStanding only 5'3" and weighing 135 pounds, the "French Hercules" Pierre Gasnier possessed a great deal of strength and power as is evident in this rare picture. He was one of the first, and most influential, of the oldtime Circus strongmen, performing for the Barnum and Bailey circus throughout the 1890s.
Shown here ripping a deck of cards with ease, Gasnier was said to be able to perform a one-arm snatch with bodyweight whilst his ankles were tied together. Gasnier is featured prominently in Alan Calvert's book Super Strength.
Labels: Barnum and Bailey Circus, Card Ripping, Circus Strongman, Deck of Cards, Oldtime Strongman, Oldtime Strongman Feat, Pierre Gasnier
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, January 04, 2008
The Quarter-Sized Deck Tear by Dennis RogersEvery Strongman should be able to rip a deck of playing cards in half, but you truly need a whole other level of strength to accomplish this feat.
Like only Paul Von Boeckmann before him, Dennis Dennis Rogers is able to tear this quarter-sized chunk out of a deck of playing cards - a simply incredible feat of finger strength.
Labels: Card Ripping, Dennis Rogers, Finger Strength, Grip Feat, Grip Strength, 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
Saturday, November 17, 2007
| Paul Von Boeckman was famous for his course on breathing exercises and chest expansion methods but his grip strength prowess was equally impressive. He could one-arm chin himself three times with the middle finger of his right hand and also had an 80-pound indian club that few strongmen were able to even budge. |  An Impressive Card Ripping Feat |
Labels: Breathing Exercises, Card Ripping, Card Tearing, Chest Expansion, Indian Clubs, Paul Von Boeckmann, Playing Cards, 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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