Monday, January 18, 2010
Wilbur Miller is a big reason why they had to phase out the Deep Dish Plates. Note that the weights had to be strapped on to the bar here!
Labels: Deadlift, Powerlifting, Wilbur Miller, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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, November 01, 2009
A look at David "Darth Vader" Prowse at the time when he was the Heavyweight lifting champion of Britain. On this particular occasion, he was going to attempt to lift 700 pounds to break his own deadlift record of 678 pounds but the stage he was on was deemed unsafe for supporting such a heavy weight. Prowse lifted 530 pounds and performed several other feats of strength as an exhibition instead. Wag Bennett and John O' Farrel are shown judging on either side.
Labels: Barbell, Barbell Deadift, British Strongman, David Prowse, Deadlift, Wag Bennett
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
This rare picture shows why Adolph Nordquest was known at "The American Sandow" ~ the likeness was uncanny. The similarities did not end there, however, what Nordquest also had in common with Sandow was great strength - Norquest could deadlift 638 pounds with an overhand grip (among other feats). This was back in 1915 mind you.
Labels: Adolph Nordquest, American Sandow, Deadlift, Grip Feat, Oldtime Strongman
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
These unique plates were manufactured by the York Barbell Company in the 50's and 60's. They are particularly rare today and greatly valued by collectors. They not only look cool, but are very useful for a variety of interesting exercises such as hub lifting, pinch lifting and the Steve Reeves Deadlift.
The move to slimmer 45-pound plates actually came about from the increase in interest in powerlifting - specifically the deadlift - some very strong lifters couldn't fit enough of the Deep Dish plates on the bar!
Labels: 45 Pound Plate, Barbell Plate, Deadlift, Powerlifting, York Barbell Company, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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 14, 2009
J.C. Tolson, "The Young Mighty Apollon", was a master of many different strength feats, including bending horseshoes as shown here. Tolson was not a large man but had tremendous full-body power. In 1927, at a bodyweight of only 185 pounds, he easily deadlifted 550 pounds, one of the first men to do so.
Labels: Bent Horseshoes, Deadlift, Horseshoe Bending, J.C. Tolson, Oldtime Strongman, Steel Bending, Young Apollon
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, August 05, 2009
Harold Ansorge | Harold Ansorge, the strongman from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was one of the great masters of the bent press. At a bodyweight of around 220 lbs., he was able to bent press 335 lbs. (left handed!) Although he was primarily known for his bent pressing ability, Ansorge was a fine all-around strength athlete. He curled over 200 lbs. and was an excellent deadlifter with an achievement of 680 lbs. in that lift. In fact he credited much of his strength success to his deadlift specialization - which is a good thing to keep in mind if you are looking for a "secret" to getting stronger. Ansorge performed many other strength feats as well in an act with his sister Jean. They were billed as Ames and Ansorge. |
Labels: Bent Press, Curl, Deadlift, Deadlift Training, Grand Rapids Michigan, Harold Ansorge, Jean Ansorge
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, July 09, 2009
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.)
Labels: 1960 Mr. America Contest, AAU, Bench Press, Bodybuilder, Bodybuilding Magazine, Cover, Deadlift, Leroy Saba, Mr. California, Press, Red Lerille, Squat, Strength and Health Magazine
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 08, 2009
| Originally hailing from Ashtabula, Ohio, Adolph Nordquest began his performing strongman career in Buffalo, New York in 1901. A year later he moved to New York City to study and train under Professor Attila. Due to Nordquest's similarities to one of Attila's former students he was dubbed the "American Sandow." Teaming with another great strongman, Otis Lambert, Nordquest performed very successfully in music halls and vaudeville for the next decade and a half. When his performing career came to an end, Nordquest focused very intently on his strength training, so much so that he briefly held the world deadlift record with a lift of 638 pounds. He was also very good at finger lifting. His brother Joe Nordquest was also a famous strongman with many records to his credit. | Adolph Nordquest |
Labels: Adolph Nordquest, American Sandow, Deadlift, Deadlift Training, Eugen Sandow, finger lifting, Joe Nordquest, Oldtime Strongman, Performing Strongman, Professor Attila, Vaudeville
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Monday, June 01, 2009
John Grimek loved to train with just about everything. Here's the man getting in a quick set of deadlifts with one of Professor Schmidt's Automatic Exerciser machines. Schmidt machines were a pretty nifty idea even back then, someone should see about bringing them back...
Labels: Antique Equipment, Deadlift, John Grimek, Professor Schmidt, Schmidt Machine
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Friday, April 03, 2009
One of the first strongman contests in this country was "New England's Strongest Man" contest, which was sponsored by the Boston Globe in 1926. The contest consisted of four lifts:
When the dust settled John Y. Smith was the winner by 15 pounds. He was sixty years old at the time.
Labels: Continental, Deadlift, Jerk, John Y. Smith, New England's Strongest Man Contest, One Arm Deadlift, Strongman Contest
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Thursday, April 02, 2009
A look at Bob Peoples' World Record Deadlift of 719 pounds at a bodyweight of just over 181 pounds. The secret to Peoples' deadlift ability was the strength of his low back - his style of deadlifting was performed with nearly straight legs and most of the lifting coming from a round-back position.
He reasoned that this caused the weight to come closer in line with the bodies natural center of gravity, allowing more weight to be used (provided the back muscles were strong enough.) -- Obviously it worked. At the time, this poundage was the greatest ever achieved by any amateur lifter of any bodyweight.
Labels: Back Strength, Bob Peoples, Deadlift, Deadlift Training, Mr. Deadlift
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, March 27, 2009
It should be pretty obvious that strong hands make a stronger body. A great example of this concept is Australian grip master Bruce White. In what should come as no surprise, White was a tremendous deadlifter in addition to his prowess at grip feats. Above he deadlifts 633 pounds at a bodyweight of only 148 pounds.
Labels: Australian Grip Master, Australian Strongman, Bruce White, Deadlift, Grip Strength
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, February 19, 2009
Here's a unique feat by 1947 Mr. America Steve Reeves ... he may not have invented it but he became very well known for it: The Steve Reeves Deadlift. It involves an extremely wide-grip deadlift performed by grabbing the rim on a pair of York Deep Dish Plates. It's tougher than it looks and a tremendous feat of finger strength.
Labels: 1947 Mr. America, Deadlift, Finger Strength, Grip Feat, Grip Strength, Mr. America, Steve Reeves, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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, December 03, 2008
An extremely rare shot of the great French Weightlifter Ernest Cadine deadlifting a classic globe barbell. Is this the same globe barbell that Tommy Kono lifted here? It's certainly possible.
Labels: Deadlift, Ernest Cadine, French Strongman, French Weightlifter, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbells, Tommy Kono
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 08, 2008
Another great early deadlifter was William Boone who, trained in his back yard after long days of digging water wells in East Texas and Louisiana. Even with this back-breaking schedule, primative equipment and grueling conditions Boone put up some truly impressive numbers such as a push-press of over 400 pounds and a deadlift of over 700.
Here he is in an impromptu shot during one of his backyard training sessions lifting 715 pounds -- notice the small plates balanced precariously on each end. This particular lift occurred during September of 1947.
Labels: Deadlift, Deadlift Training, Oldtime Lift, WIlliam Boone
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Thursday, September 04, 2008
Why did they call him "Mr. Deadlift?" - I think this picture makes it pretty clear. Each day Bob Peoples came home after a long day of farming, took off his shirt and just trained -- and he got damn strong doing just that -- a lesson that a lot of modern lifters could stand to learn. In 1949 he set the deadlift record at 725-1/2 pounds at a bodyweight of only 189 pounds.
Labels: Bob Peoples, Deadlift, Mr. Deadlift, Tennessee, Tennessee Strongman
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, June 26, 2008
| Bob Peoples always felt that the key to a strong deadlift was a super strong lower back -- he would know, since he's history's strongest deadlifter. To accomplish certain tasks in his training, Bob often had to make his own equipment. For example, in order to gain a deeper range of motion, Bob created what he called a "Deadlift Ring," which is demonstrated here by young Bob Hise. This ring allows for roughly an extra foot of "pull." A similar exercise can be performed very effectively with a Gerard Trap Bar | Deadlift Ring |
Labels: Bob Peoples, Deadlift, Deadlift Ring, Equipment, Gerard Trap Bar, Unique Equipment
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
A look at Bob Peoples'first barbell, which he made out of a couple barrels in which he would load weight: chunks of metal, concrete -- anything he could find. Peoples trained alone in his garage gym and deadlifted over 700 pounds back in the 1940's. That sure doesn't leave much room for excuses...
Labels: Barbell, Barrel, Barrel Barbell, Barrel Lifting, Bob Peoples, Deadlift, Odd Object Lifting, Unique Equipment
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
| You might have heard of Ed Zercher from the famous lift which bears his name but the St. Louis native was a master of many different lifts. Here's Ed Zercher deadlifting 536-pounds at a bodyweight of only 155. | Ed Zercher |
Labels: Deadlift, Ed Zercher, Oldtime Strongman, Zercher Lift
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, April 07, 2008
| The great Canadian Strongman Arthur Dandurand at 48 years old, still looking very impressive. As far as feats of grip strength, Dandurand could deadlift 550 pounds with one hand and reverse curl 177 pounds. | Arthur Dandurand at 48 Years Old |
Labels: Arthur Dandurand, Canadian Strongman, Deadlift, Forearm Development, Forearm Strength, Grip Strength, Oldtime Strongman, One Arm Deadlift, Reverse Curl
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, April 06, 2008
The Kennedy Lift in ActionA look at the Kennedy Lift in action - performed by Quebec Strongman Claude "Samson" Champagne. The Kennedy lift can be a useful alternative to the traditional deadlift and many oldtimers swore by it. Nice lift - that's over 600 pounds!
Labels: Barbell Exercise, Charles Sampson, Claude Champagne, Deadlift, Kennedy Lift, Leg Exercise, Oldtime Lift, Quebec, Quebec Strongman, Samson
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
The Stiff-Leg Deadlift | The Stiff-Leg Deadlift is a very, very effective power-building exercise that is seldom seen theses days. It is performed just like it sounds, and is shown here in mid-movement by the great Oldtime Strongman Michael Mayer, who was one of the first men to jerk 300 pounds overhead. |
Labels: Back Exercise, Barbell Exercise, Deadlift, Michael Mayer, Oldtime Strongman, Stiff-Leg Deadlift
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 30, 2008
"The Great" Joe RollinoThe Deadlift -- a great exercise then and now... "The Great" Joe Rollino gets in a deadlift workout in a shot taken a few decades back. Joe learned how to rip playing cards and bend horse shoes as a protege of Warren Lincoln Travis. Joe recently celebrated his 103rd birthday and is as feisty as ever.
Labels: Barbell, Deadlift, Joe Rollino, The Great Joe Rollino, Warren Lincoln Travis
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Friday, March 21, 2008
The Kennedy LiftBack in 1890, Richard K. Fox, the publisher and founder of The Police Gazette held a competition to determine the strongest man in America with the prize being this belt.
Fox's challenge was to lift an unusual weight that he devised - a huge block of metal, 24-inches square, weighing in at 1030 pounds, with two handles sunk into the top. The challenge was to lift this weight clear of the floor with the hands alone.
On the day of the contest over a dozen strongmen arrived to test their strength. None lifted the weight, save J.W. Kennedy of Quincy, Illinois, who straddled the weight and grasped a handle in front and behind.
Thus, that lift became forever known as "The Kennedy Lift."
Labels: Challenge Weight, Deadlift, J.W. Kennedy, Oldtime Strongman Exercises, Richard K. Fox, The Kennedy Lift, The Police Gazette
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 06, 2008
| 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
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, January 31, 2008
Benoit CoteBenoit Cote was another great Canadian strongman from Quebec and the rival of fellow countryman Doug Hepburn.
The two met head to head at a four-lift (Press, Bench Press, Squat, Deadlift) contest in 1961. While Hepburn bested Cote in the bench press and overhead press, Cote beat Hepburn in the squat and deadlifted 752-1/2 pounds (shown above) to win.
Labels: Bench Press, Benoit Cote, Canadian Strongman, Deadlift, Doug Hepburn, Quebec Strongman, Squat
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
Hermann Goerner | The German Strongman Hermann Goerner specialized on unusual feats of grip strength. Here's a great lift you can try -- the 4-finger deadlift (that's using the index and middle fingers of each hand.) This picture shows Goerner lifting 595-1/2 pounds in that manner on November 30th, 1933, in Leipzig, Germany. |
Labels: Deadlift, German Strongman, Grip Feat, Grip Strength, Hermann Goerner
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German Strongman Karl MoerkeKarl Moerke was a German Strongman in the early 1900's. At a bodyweight around 250 pounds at a height of only 5'2 Moerke was quite the powerhouse.
He could deadlift 650 pounds, jerk 375 pounds (shown here), and had a 19-inch neck. It was Moerke whom Milo Steinborn defeated to win the German Heavyweight Weightlifting Championship.
Labels: Barbell, Clean and Jerk, Deadlift, German Strongman, Henry Milo Steinborn, Karl Moerke, Oldtime Strongman Feat
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
| G.W. Rolandow was a Swiss Strongman who publically challenged Sandow to a contest on several occasions only to have Sandow turn him down each time. Rolandow accomplished the following lifts: | G.W. Rolandow |
Labels: Bent Press, Card Tearing, Deadlift, G.W. Rolandow, Oldtime Strongman, one arm snatch, Supporting Feat, Tomb of Hercules
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, December 05, 2007
| To get the most out of training, there should be a certain attitude of confidence in all you do... Here's Wilbur Miller a few moments before pulling a heavy deadlift. Is there any question at all whether he will make this lift? | Wilbur Miller Stalks The Bar |
Labels: Attitude, Barbell, Confidence, Deadlift, Powerlifting, Wilbur Miller
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Al Gerard | Two decades ago, Al Gerard, a Powerlifter from North Carolina invented a piece of training equipment that would change strength training forever. His Gerard Trap Bar allowed trainees to train their legs without overtraining the lower-back. The Trap Bar became the piece of equipment for every gym. Al was able to deadlift over 725 pounds using his invention. |
Labels: Al Gerard, Deadlift, Gerard Trap Bar, Leg Development, Strongman Equipment, Training Equipment, Trap Bar, Trap Bar Deadlift
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 01, 2007
| L.A. Chappell deadlifts 448-1/2 pounds with one arm in the 1920's. He would go on to lift over 500 pounds in the same manner. The one-arm deadlift is a fantastic grip developer and a worthy addition to your training program. Note: the cambered bar. | The One-Arm Deadlift |
Labels: Barbell, Cambered Bar, Deadlift, Grip Strength, L.A. Chappell, One Arm Deadlift, Strongman Feat
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 28, 2007
David ProwseBefore he was Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies, David Prowse was the British Heavyweight lifting Champion in 1962, 1963 and 1964.
At 6' 7 and 265 pounds, he deadlifted 678-1/4 pounds, jerked 335 pound behind the neck as well as competed in bodybuilding, Olympic Weightlifting and tossed the caber in the Highland Games.
He also was the first man other that Donald Dinnie to lift the Dinnie Stones (which he did in 1964.) Prowse also once owned the Inch Dumbbell.
Labels: British Champion, Caber Tossing, David Prowse, Deadlift, Highland Games, Inch Dumbbell, Jerk, Oldtime Strongman, Olympic Weightlifting
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, November 19, 2007
Al Gerard and The Gerard Trap BarAl Gerard was a powerlifter from North Carolina who devised a unique "frame" which allowed him to increase his deadlift without putting undue stress on his back.
He named his invention the "Trap Bar" because of its shape -- using the Trap Bar, Al was able to deadlift over 745 pounds. Soon the Gerard Trap Bar was featured in many strength publications such as Iron Man Magazine, Powerlifting USA and Hardgainer Magazine (above.)
Once people understood its unique advantages, The Gerard Trap Bar became one of the "must have" pieces of training equipment for leg and back development..
Here's a few reasons why:
Unlike most of the classic equipment that is featured on this blog, The Gerard Trap Bar is still available, and you can get your own right here: The Gerard Trap Bar - It's Back!
Labels: Al Gerard, Deadlift, Equipment, Gerard Trap Bar, Hardgainer Magazine, Leg Development, Leg Strength, Powerlifting, Shrugs, Trap Bar Workout, Traps
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 10, 2007
Mr. Deadlift: Bob PeoplesOn March 5th, 1949 in Johnson City Tennesse, Bob Peoples Deadlifted 725-1/2 pounds at a bodyweight of only 185. Peoples trained by himself in his basement gym which he literally carved out of rock.
He referred to his gym as "The Dungeon" and invented many of the types of equipment and training styles that are commonplace in many modern workouts such as negatives and power rack work.
In the above picture, note the overhand grip (instead of the usual mixed-grip) and the small plates tied to the bar. You can read more about Bob Peoples and his workouts in his excellent book Developing Physical Strength.
Labels: Bob Peoples, Deadlift, Negative Training, Power Rack
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, November 09, 2007
Weightlifting ChampionJohn Davis | John Davis was one of America's greatest Olympic weightlifting champions. Throughout his career he won two gold medals: 1948(London) and 1952(Helsinki) He was also a Senior World Champion in 1938, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, and 1951. His best Olympic lifts were: |
Labels: Apollon's Wheels, Clean and Jerk, Curl, Deadlift, Gold Medal, John Davis, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympics, Press, Snatch, Squat, Weaver Stick
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Soon it became apparent that Doug wasn't so average after all --- he began to progress very quickly in his training.
Although he had a slight handicap (a club foot) that did not stop him from becoming one of the most powerful men in history. He became a Senior World Champion in 1953 and set eight World Records during his career.
| Here's a look at some of his best lifts: Right Hand Military Press - 175 Pounds Two Hands Press (Off Rack) - 440 Pounds Behind Neck Press - 350 Pounds Two Hands Curl - 260 Pounds Bench Press - 580 Pounds Jerk-Press (Off Rack) 500 Pounds Two Hands Snatch - 297-1/2 Pounds Two Hands Clean & Press - 381 Pounds Squat - 760 Pounds Two Hands Deadlift - 705 Pounds | Doug Hepburn |
Labels: Bench Press, Canadian Strongman, Clean and Jerk, Curl, Deadlift, Doug Hepburn, Jerk, Military Press, Oldtime Strongman, Olympic Weightlifting, Overhead Press, Snatch, Squat, Strongman Feat
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 07, 2007
| Presses and Curls... Shrugs and Deadlifts... Rows and Bench Presses... everyone loves training with dumbbells. In fact, dumbbell training has actually changed very little since the days of the ancient Greeks. I'm sure this old pair of York Globe 100's has seen many good workouts... | Dumbbell Training |
Labels: Bench Press, Deadlift, Dumbbell Shrug, Dumbbell Training, Dumbbell Workout, Dumbbells, Dumbbells Row, Globe Dumbbells, Press, Tricep Curls, York
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 03, 2007
Old School Strength: Wilbur MillerWilbur Miller was Kansas wheat farmer who became the best amateur deadlifter in America back in the 1960's.
He trained by himself when the day's farm chores were done.
In 1963, Wilbur Miller pulled an official AAU record 705 lbs. and a year later topped that when he pulled 715 at the very first National Powerlifting Tournament held in York, Pennsylvania.
Wilbur Miller was also widely known as having some of the strongest hands around -- notice the palms forward grip in the deadlift pictured above.
He could also close the "Extra-Heavy" Iron Man Hand Gripper with ease.
You've got to admit -- it looks pretty darn cool when the bar is loaded all the way to the end like that.
Labels: AAU, Deadlift, Grip Strength, Iron Man Magazine, Powerlifting, Wilbur Miller
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, November 02, 2007
Malcolm "Mac" Richards"Mac" Richards started powerlifting when he was 57 years old and within a year set new Masters World Records in each of the three lifts: squatting 425 pounds, benching 308 pounds, deadlifting 479 pounds and totaling 1212 pounds.
In the years that followed, he won 18 National titles and four World Powerlifting Championships.
Here were his marks at the age of 75 years and 198 lbs, (Still Masters records for the International Powerlifting Association, by the way.)
Squat: 440 pounds
Bench: 330 pounds
Deadlift: 470 pounds
Total: 1240 pounds
Mac was inducted into the York Barbell Powerlifting Hall of Fame in 2000. He was also a good friend who will be missed.
Labels: Bench Press, Deadlift, Mac Richards, Powerlifting, Squat
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, September 27, 2007

At the tender age of four years old, Bruce White began lifting weights under the guidance of his father, a former weight lifting star. (Although he readily admits that lifting was a bit of a chore and he didn't reach 'maximum enthusiasm' until he was 21 years of age.)
For those of you who don't know about Australian grip master Bruce White, he is probably THE guy when it comes to hand strength feats in the Iron Game publications of the 60s and 70s.
Well anyhow, early on, Bruce decided that the Deadlift was the one true test of strength and that it was more important than any other lift (interestingly enough, a notion he shared with fellow Australian and distance running coach and legend Percy Cerutty.)
Bruce has a number of amazing lifts to his credit including a Deadlift of 630 pounds and the ability to chin himself on rafters WITH an additional 70 pounds tied around his waist.
He once deadlifted 402 pounds for 24 straight reps, lifted a 147 pound anvil by the horn, pinch-gripped 117 pounds with one hand and lifted his own Inch Dumbbell replica which he has specially made. (shown above)
Did I mention that Bruce was only 5' 7' and 150 pounds at the time of these lifts?
Labels: Bruce White, Deadlift, Grip Strength, Inch Dumbbell, Pinch Lift
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 10, 2007
Bob Peoples'"Dungeon" GymBob Peoples was the first man to officially deadlift over 700 pounds and did so back in the 1940's without any suits, wraps or other assorted foolishness.
| When the weather was warm he trained outside but when Winter came, he moved inside into the training area he literally carved out of stone in his basement which he called "The Dungeon." It was here that Bob Peoples pioneered many of the pieces of equipment and training techniques that are commonplace these days including the power rack, negative training, and heavy supports and partials. | Bob Peoples |
Notice the Milo Kettlebells and the makeshift circular "Trap Bar" leaning against the far wall. This allowed Bob to stand on a platform and increase his range of motion.
You can read more about Bob Peoples and his training techniques in Developing Physical Strength
Labels: Bob Peoples, Classic Strongman Gyms, Deadlift, Kettlebell, Milo Kettlebell, Power Rack, Strongman Equipment, Trap Bar
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, August 22, 2007
The Many Strength Feats of Paul AndersonBack in the mid-1940's, Paul Anderson started lifting weights to get bigger for football and just kept growing. He eventually became one of the strongest men of all time while establishing many strength records and winning the Gold Medal at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia.
Paul Anderson was also a Senior World Champion and a 2-time Senior National Champion in Weightlifting. He set nine World Records and Eighteen American records during his career and retired undefeated.
He was also incredibly strong in what would eventually become the three Power Lifts: the squat, bench press and deadlift.
Here's a look at some of Paul Anderson's record lifts:
| | Paul Anderson Deadlifting |
Labels: Backlift, Deadlift, Feat, Paul Anderson, Paul Anderson Deadlift Record, Squat, Strongman, weightlifting
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.

Wilbur Miller
David Prowse
Adolph Nordquest: "The American Sandow"
York 45-Pound Deep Dish Barbell Plates
The Young Mighty Apollon
Harold Ansorge
Leroy Saba
Adolph Nordquest
Grimek Training With The Automatic Exerciser
New England's Strongest Man Contest 1926
Bob Peoples' World Record Deadlift
Bruce White
The Steve Reeves Deadlift
Ernest Cadine Lifts Some Classic Iron
Mr. Deadlift - Bob Peoples
Deadlift Ring
Bob Peoples' Barrel Barbell
Ed Zercher
Arthur Dandurand at 48 Years Old
The Stiff-Leg Deadlift
John McWilliams - Big Arms For You
Hermann Goerner
G.W. Rolandow
Wilbur Miller Stalks The Bar
Al Gerard
The One-Arm Deadlift
Weightlifting Champion
Doug Hepburn
Dumbbell Training
Bob Peoples
Paul Anderson Deadlifting