Wednesday, February 24, 2010

  • Ironman Magazine, Volume 1, Number 6


  • Here's something you don't see every day, Ironman Magazine Volume 1, Number 6. The first few issues (this being one of them) were produced by Peary Rader on an old mimeograph machine. Only about 50 copies of each were ever printed up so needless to say they are pretty hard to come by. Weightlifter Bill Good graces the cover.

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    Wednesday, February 24, 2010

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    Tuesday, November 17, 2009

  • David P. Willoughby


  • A look at David P. Willoughby on the cover of the January, 1936 issue of Superman Magazine. While he was greatly interested in the world of strength, Willoughby was no armchair expert, being a champion lifter and gym owner himself. He was also an accomplished artist, drawing many of the pen and ink illustrations found in his books and training articles.

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    Tuesday, November 17, 2009

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    Monday, November 09, 2009

  • Happy Birthday Bob Hoffman!


  • A very Happy Birthday to Bob Hoffman who was born on this date back in 1898. Bob grew up on a farm in Tifton, Georgia and always appreciated the value of a hard day's work. It was certainly no lack of effort which allowed him to build The York Barbell Company which taught (and continues to teach) thousands upon thousands of people the thrill of strength.

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    Monday, November 09, 2009

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    Tuesday, October 27, 2009

  • Ironman Magazine #1

  • Ironman Magazine is a well-known publication these days but it all started way back in 1936 with this issue. As you can see it was originally called "Super-Physique" and featured John Grimek on the cover. (It wasn't titled "Iron Man" until issue #2.)

    As the story goes, Peary Rader found an old mimeograph machine in the garbage, fixed it up, and started putting out a magazine on physical training. There were only 50 copies of "#1" ever produced, mostly just for Rader's friends.

    They liked what they saw, Peary Rader edited and produced every issue of Ironman for the next 50 years!
    Ironman Magazine #1Ironman Magazine #1

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    Tuesday, October 27, 2009

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    Saturday, September 26, 2009

  • Jack LaLanne


  • A 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.

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    Saturday, September 26, 2009

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    Wednesday, September 23, 2009

  • Muscular Development Magazine, May 1964: Hugo Labra


  • The 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.

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    Wednesday, September 23, 2009

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    Tuesday, September 22, 2009

  • Kimon Voyages: Strength and Health Magazine June, 1945


  • Kimon 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.

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    Tuesday, September 22, 2009

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    Thursday, September 17, 2009

  • The Bruno Course


  • Here's a look at the cover of the incredibly rare "Bruno Course of Bodybuilding" authored by the Living Legend himself, Bruno Sammartino. You can see by Bruno's thick bone structure that he was a man built for some major horsepower but don't forget that he still had to work for his strength.

    In the Bruno Course, he covers a dozen or so basic exercises which were his favorites, some "weight" exercises, some bodyweight movements and some conditioning. - simple, but highly effective. You can read more about The Bruno Course in "The Dellinger Files Volume I"

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    Thursday, September 17, 2009

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    Tuesday, September 01, 2009

  • The Trap Bar and Hardgainer Magazine


  • Its kind of amazing that something like The Gerard Trap Bar did not appear until the mid-1980's. When it did appear though it answered some very important questions about intnse leg training and was hailed as a godsend by thousands upon thousands of trainees because of the advantages that it brings to the table. In fact, the Trap Bar was thought of as such a "must have" training tool that it was given a place of honor: its own cover of the July-August 1993 of Hardgainer Magazine.

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    Tuesday, September 01, 2009

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    Tuesday, August 04, 2009

  • Strength and Health Magazine, March, 1934


  • The great weightlifter Art Levan on the cover of the March, 1934 issue of Strength and Health Magazine.

    This is one heck of an issue: Check out the lineup of strength authors: George Jowett, Earle E. Liederman, Harry Good, Bob Hoffman and Professor Paulinetti.

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    Tuesday, August 04, 2009

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    Tuesday, July 21, 2009

  • Joe Vitole: Muscle Builder June, 1924


  • The 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.

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    Tuesday, July 21, 2009

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    Thursday, July 09, 2009

  • Leroy Saba


  • Bodybuilder 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.)

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    Thursday, July 09, 2009

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    Wednesday, June 17, 2009

  • 1946 Mr. America Alan Stephan


  • Alan 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.

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    Wednesday, June 17, 2009

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    Monday, June 01, 2009

  • Elmo Santiago


  • Elmo 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.

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    Monday, June 01, 2009

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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.

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    Friday, May 22, 2009

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    Monday, May 04, 2009

  • Strength and Health 1933: Bob Hoffman Cover


  • Bob Hoffman (with hair!) on the cover of the August, 1933 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. As was customary for most strength athletes of the time period Bob focused on chest expansion techniques and it's pretty noticeable in this early picture.

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    Monday, May 04, 2009

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    Monday, March 30, 2009

  • Melvin Wells - The Buffalo Hercules


  • Melvin wells on the cover of the January, 1949 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. That year Wells took the AAU Mr. New York State Bodybuilding contest and won the Most Muscular subdivision at the 1949 AAU Mr. America contest. Well was often called 'The Buffalo Hercules' in honor of his hometown of Buffalo, New York.

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    Monday, March 30, 2009

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    Wednesday, March 18, 2009

  • The Reg Park Journal


  • Champion bodybuilder... Movie Star... Gym Owner... You can also add magazine editor and publisher to the long list of Reg Park's accomplishments. From 1954 through 1958, Reg published "The Reg Park Journal" on a monthly basis and, as you might expect, its pages were filled with great training information.

    Here's the cover of the September 1954 issue featuring Reg and the very glamourous Shirley Eaton. If you don't immediately recognize the name, she was the gal famously painted gold from head to toe in the James Bond movie Goldfinger.

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    Wednesday, March 18, 2009

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    Sunday, March 08, 2009

  • Muscle Builder Magazine Volume 2, No. 1, September, 1924


  • Lionel Strongfort on the cover of the Sepember, 1924 issue of Macfadden's Muscle Builder Magazine. This issue included articles on boxing and wrestling, as well as abdominal training and the wrestler's bridge.

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    Sunday, March 08, 2009

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    Wednesday, February 25, 2009

  • 1952 AAU Mr. America Results

  • 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
    Jim Park1952 AAU Mr. America Jim Park

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    Wednesday, February 25, 2009

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    Sunday, February 22, 2009

  • Barton Horvath


  • New York City Bodybuilder Barton Horvath, on the cover of the October, 1937 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. His focus on chest expansion is evident. Horvath did not compete in many contests but did become a successful strength author for a number of years.

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    Sunday, February 22, 2009

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    Friday, February 13, 2009

  • Melvin Wells


  • The great bodybuilder Melvin Wells on the cover of the October/November 1950 issue of Ironman Magazine. It was said that Wells was the "uncrowned" Mr. America, this is the condition that he was in when he nearly took home the crown at the 1950 contest. He didn't win the contest but he did capture the "Most Muscular" subdivision - and deservedly so.

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    Friday, February 13, 2009

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    Tuesday, January 27, 2009

  • Jack LaLanne, Strength and Health Magazine, January 1942


  • A familiar face from the cover of the January, 1942 issue of Strength and Health magazine. He's still going strong today. Jack LaLanne turns 95 years young in September of 2009.

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    Tuesday, January 27, 2009

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    Sunday, January 25, 2009

  • Bernarr MacFadden's Muscle Builder Magazine


  • The early physical culture pioneer Bernarr MacFadden published one of the earliest physical training magazines entitled 'Muscle Builder'. Each issue featured training articles and tips from the great strongmen and early bodybuilders of the day.

    This is the cover of issue #1 published in March of 1924 which features Earle E. Liederman - a good choice. 'Muscle Builder' ran for 29 issues and copies are very tough to come by.

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    Sunday, January 25, 2009

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    Saturday, January 24, 2009

  • 1949 AAU Mr. America Results

  • Mr. American 1949 Jack Delinger1.Jack Delinger
    2. Melvin Wells
    3. Bill Melby
    4. Harry Smith
    5. Valerio Pasqua
    6. Jim Krznarich
    6. Stan Stanczyk
    6. Kimon Voyages
    9. Everett Sinderoff
    10. Joe Shaw

    Jack Delinger won the overall title although Melvin Wells won the "Most Muscular" Sub-division.

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    Saturday, January 24, 2009

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    Tuesday, January 13, 2009

  • Mr. America 1961 Ray Routledge


  • Ray 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.

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    Tuesday, January 13, 2009

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    Sunday, January 04, 2009

  • The 1947 Mr. Universe Contest

  • Results:

    1. Steve Stanko
    2. John Farbotnik
    3. Eric Pedersen
    4. George Eiferman
    4. René Leger
    - Jules Bacon
    - Keevil Daly
    - Joe Lauriano
    - Juhani Vellamo
    Steve Stanko was the winner of the 1947
    Mr. Universe Contest (The first ever held)

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    Sunday, January 04, 2009

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  • 'The Strongman' Magazine


  • One of Alan Calvert's forays into publishing was 'The Strongman' magazine which began publication in June of 1931 (the first issue featured Sandow on the cover.) Each issue highlighted the greatest strength athletes of all time and how they trained. 'The Strongman' ran for 16 issues but was eventually absorbed into Calvert's Strength Magazine.

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    Sunday, January 04, 2009

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    Wednesday, December 31, 2008

  • September, 1944 Strength and Health Magazine: Steve Stanko


  • The 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.

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    Wednesday, December 31, 2008

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    Friday, December 05, 2008

  • Strength Magazine


  • Strength Magazine began in 1914 and was originally a house organ for Alan Calvert'sMilo Barbell Company. It was used primarily to educate customers of the fine art of using their newly purchased weight set.

    The first dozen or so issues were digest size and printed on acid free paper... certainly ahead of its time. The magazine then went through several format changes focusing primarily on athletic training. Eventually the format shifted back to magazine size with strength training and physical cultrue making up the bulk of the material, with articles on other related athletic pursuits, boxing, wrestling, baseball, golf etc thrown in.

    Each month you would find training articles by many of the greatest strength writers in the pages of Strength Magazine. Men like George Jowett, Mark Berry, Handbalancer Bob Jones and many others. Copies are extremely difficult to come by. This is the cover of the January 1928 Issue.

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    Friday, December 05, 2008

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    Thursday, December 04, 2008

  • Gord Venables


  • Gord Venables, one of the original members of the York Gang strikes a heroic pose on the cover of the February, 1936 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. A one-hand barbell snatch of 145 pounds was impressive then but even more-so today.

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    Thursday, December 04, 2008

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    Friday, November 07, 2008

  • Jim Park - 1952 Mr. America


  • 1952 AAU Mr. America Jim Park, on the cover of the June 1952 Iron Man Magazine. Park also won the 1952 Mr. World and 1954 Mr. Universe bodybuilding contests.

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    Friday, November 07, 2008

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    Friday, October 31, 2008

  • Jack LaLanne, Strength and Health Magazine, January 1947


  • Jack 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!

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    Friday, October 31, 2008

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    Thursday, October 09, 2008

  • Mr. America 1960 Red Lerille


  • It 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.)

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    Thursday, October 09, 2008

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    Tuesday, September 09, 2008

  • Klein's Bell


  • For over four decades, Sig Klein owned and ran his famous gym in downtown New York city and something that he did for a while was put out his own newsletter: "Klein's Bell."

    This short 4-8 page publication was distributed to members of Klein's gym and highlighted training articles, physique photography and any other topics of interest and it was actually a pretty radical idea for the time. This is the cover of the August 1932 issue featuring the "15-inch Arm Club" - Also goes to show you don't need a huge arm to be impressive.

    Klein's Bell ran for 19 issues although in 1933 it merged with Alan Calvert's THE STRONGMAN Magazine

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    Tuesday, September 09, 2008

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    Sunday, September 07, 2008

  • Norb Schemansky


  • Champion Olympic Weightlifter Norb Schemansky as he looked pressing 160 kg at the 1960 Rome Olympics (where he won Bronze) and on the cover of the September, 1962 issue of Strength and Health Magazine.

    Over his career Schemansky was an Olympic Champion in 1952 (Helsinki), Three time World Champion (1947, 1962, 1963) and set 26 World Records.

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    Sunday, September 07, 2008

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    Saturday, August 23, 2008

  • Tommy Kono


  • Tamio "Tommy" Kono on the cover of the August, 1955 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. A year later he would go on to win the Goldmedal at the 1956 Olympic games in Melbourne, Australia with a 447.5 kg total (140+132.5 + 175).

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    Saturday, August 23, 2008

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    Sunday, April 06, 2008

  • Dick Bachtell - Weightlifting Champion

  • Dick Bachtell - Weightlifting ChampionDick Bachtell - Weightlifting Champion

    The great weightlifting Champion Dick Bachtell as he appeared on the cover of the January, 1936 issue of Strength and Health Magazine.

    Dick Bachtell was a seven-time National Champion (1929-1931, 1934-1935, 1937, and 1943) and competed in the 1932 Olympic games in Los Angeles, Claifornia.

    For his last National Title, he totaled 630 pounds in the 60-Kg class.

    In addition to his Olympic Weightlifting exploits, Dick Bachtell could also one-arm snatch 154 pounds, squat 350-pounds, deadlift 425-pounds, one-arm press 92-pounds, pullover 100-pounds, swing 137-pounds and bent-press 180-pounds.

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    Sunday, April 06, 2008

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    Friday, March 21, 2008

  • Frank Leight - Mr. America 1942

  • Frank Leight - Mr. America 1942Frank Leight - Mr. America 1942

    Frank 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.

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    Friday, March 21, 2008

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    Wednesday, February 06, 2008

  • David Willoughby

  • David WilloughbyDavid WilloughbyStrength author and historian David Willoughby gracing the cover of the January, 1936 edition of the British physical culture magazine "Superman."

    Willoughby was the AAU Southern California AAU weightlifting champion from 1923-1926 and eventually went on to author countless books, articles and training courses.

    He also owned a successful gym in the Los Angeles area, the same gym where Bert Goodrich got his start.

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    Wednesday, February 06, 2008

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    Friday, February 01, 2008

  • Walt Baptiste

  • In 1934, Walt Baptist and his wife Magana established the first training center of its kind, which combined the disciplines of physical culture, yoga, weight training, meditation, and breathing exercises.

    Walt and his wife also appeared on the cover of many bodybuilding magazines in the 1940s and 1950's such as Strength and Health and Iron Man Magazine.

    For a while, he even had his own physical culture magazine, Body Moderne, pictured here.
    Walt BaptisteWalt Baptiste

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    Friday, February 01, 2008

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    Wednesday, January 30, 2008

  • Bert Goodrich - The First Mr. America (1938)

  • Bert Goodrich - The First Mr. America (1938)Bert Goodrich
    The 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.

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    Wednesday, January 30, 2008

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    Thursday, January 17, 2008

  • Harold Zinkin

  • Harold ZinkinHarold Zinkin

    Harold 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.

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    Thursday, January 17, 2008

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    Saturday, January 05, 2008

  • 1963 Mr. America Vern Weaver

  • 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:
  • Decline Bench Press: 6x6
  • Chins: 6x6

  • Tuesday and Friday:
  • Parallel Squats : 6x6
  • High Pulls: 6x6
  • 1963 Mr. America Vern Weaver1963 Mr. America Vern Weaver

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    Saturday, January 05, 2008

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    Saturday, December 08, 2007

  • George Eiferman - Chest Development

  • George Eiferman Chest Development- George Eiferman -
    Chest Development
    Back in the old days, "chest development" meant chest and ribcage expansion.

    Here's a look at George Eiferman, a classic bodybuilder, who was famous for his chest development, on the cover of the February, 1948 Strength and Health Magazine.

    Eiferman won the AAU Mr. America, AAU Mr. California and IFBB Mr. Universe titles.

    In this picture Eiferman weighed around 190 pounds. You can tell that ribcage and chest expansion contributes greatly to the "look" of strength and power.
    Kind of amazing that six decades later most professional bodybuilders out weigh him by 60-70 pounds yet still aren't as impressive.

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    Saturday, December 08, 2007

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    Monday, July 30, 2007

  • Ellington Darden

  • Before he became the most popular strength author of all time, Ellington Darden graced the cover of several top bodybuilding magazines including the July 1970 of Muscular Development pictured here.

    As an expert (not the armchair variety) in training, Ell Darden started asking the right questions very early on.

    He entered and placed very highly in a number of bodybuilding contests.

    Here's a look at the contests he won:

  • 1969 Mr. Texas - AAU

  • 1970 Mr. South - AAU

  • 1972 Collegiate Mr. America - AAU


  • Ellington Darden on the July 1970- issue of Muscular Development

    Ell Darden went on to author over 50 books on strength training. His latest can be found here: The New Bodybuilding for Old School Results

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    Monday, July 30, 2007

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    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.

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