Thursday, March 04, 2010
German Weightlifting Club ~ 1919A German weightlifting club and their classic equipment, from 1919.
Labels: Classic Equipment, German Kettlebells, German Strongman, Kettlebell, Weightlifting Club
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Monday, November 30, 2009
Goerner's DeadliftHermann Goerner was a fan of the deadlift... every kind of deadlift you can imagine. He lifted two fingers of each hand, he lifted with only his middle fingers, and he did them with one hand. Shown here is Goerner one arm lifting a stone block of 660 German pfunds - the standard measurement at the time.
Goerner's feat was featured on an advertising poster for the Greco-Roman wrestling championships held in Dresden, Germany from September 8th to the 12th back in 1920.
Labels: Dresden, German Strongman, Grip Feat, Grip Strength, Hermann Goerner, One Arm Deadlift
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Karl MoerkeHere's a unique feat of strength which was often performed by the German strongman Karl Moerke in his shows. Try to hold an empty Olympic straight out overhead while laying on your back and you can appreciate just how impressive a feat this is when Moerke does it with a heavy weight.
Labels: Barbell, Feats of Strength, German Strongman, Karl Moerke, Supporting Feat
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Milo BarusThe great German Strongman Milo Barus, is shown here performing the Human Link feat with a pair of automobiles. Barus performed a tremendous variety of incredible strength feats in his act: Nail Driving, Steel Bending, Harness Lifting, The "Leg Press", Horse Lifting etc etc.
In 1983 a Movie was made about his life and today, a strength competition in his honor takes place in front of his old house at Mühltal Eisenberger. -- The winner receives the "Milo Barus Cup".
Labels: Classic Strongman Feats, German Strongman, Human Link, Leg Press, Milo Barus, Nail Driving, Steel Bending
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009
| Shown here is a rare picture of the German strongman Heinrich Rondi, one of the strongest men of the early 20th century. Rondi had a good year in 1906: he won the the European Lifting Championships, a World Greco-Roman wrestling title and a Gold Medal in the Tug O' War at the 1906 Olympics (where he also won two Bronze Medals in the weight lifting events.) In 1907, he added World Lifting Championship by besting his countryman Heinrich Schneidereit. In 1910, Rondi set two Amateur records with a right hand snatch of 203-1/2 pounds and a left hand snatch of 186-3/4 pounds. |  Heinrich Rondi |
Labels: 1906 Olympics, 1906 World Championships, European Lifting Champion, German Strongman, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Heinrich Rondi, Heinrich Schneidereit, one arm snatch, Tug O War
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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, September 17, 2009
Hermann GoernerHermann Goerner was never too far from the weights, even when he was on vacation. Here he snatches 190 pounds with one arm, in street clothes and standing ankle deep in loose sand. - Now that's strong.
Labels: Feats of Strength, German Strongman, Globe Barbell, Hermann Goerner, One hand Snatch
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Monday, September 14, 2009
Henry "Milo" SteinbornMilo Steinborn figured out a long time ago that the quickest way to super strength was to train your legs... and by "train your legs" I mean squats. Here's a look at Milo doing just that, winning the German Championship back around 1920 or so.
Labels: German Strongman, Henry Milo Steinborn, Squatting
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Friday, August 07, 2009
Heinrich SchneidereitHeinrich Schneidereit the German Strongman, finished second to Francois Lancoud at the 1903 World Championships in Paris, France. He came back to win it all, however, in 1906 in Lille, France.
At a bodyweight of only 176 lbs., his winning lifts were: a one-hand snatch of 176-1/2 lbs, Crucifix of 71-1/2 lbs (each hand), overhead press of 231 lbs, and a barbell clean & jerk of 275-1/2 lbs.
Schneidereit also competed in the 1906 Intercalated Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. He finished third in both the one hand and two hand lifting events but did end up with a Gold Medal though as a member of the German Tug of War team.
Labels: 1906 Olympics, 1906 World Championships, Clean and Jerk, Crucifix, Francois Lancoud, German Strongman, German Weightlifter, Heinrich Schneidereit, One hand Snatch, Tug O War, weightlifter
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Thursday, August 06, 2009
Henry "Milo" SteinbornHenry "Milo" Steinborn was one of the first, and perhaps the first man to squat with 500 lbs. He was also able to one-hand snatch 220 lbs., one-hand clean & jerk 265 lbs., snatch 265 lbs. and perform a one-leg squat with a 192 lb. barbell held at his chest - all amazing numbers, even today.
Labels: German Strongman, Henry Milo Steinborn, One Arm Clean and Jerk, one arm snatch, One Leg Squat, Snatch, Squat
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Thursday, June 18, 2009
Karl MoerkeThe famous German strongman Karl Moerke was a man of many unusual talents. Among them, this unusual and quite impressive "leg press" support of the front end of a fire truck. The weight was said to top 4000 pounds.
Labels: German Strongman, Karl Moerke, Leg Press, Leg Strength, Supporting Feat
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Saturday, May 30, 2009
Paul TrappenThe German strongman and weightlifter Paul Trappen's name isn't mentioned very often but it certainly should be. At the 1913 German weightlifting Championships Trappen defeated both Karl Moerke and Hermann Goerner to win the heavyweight title. Some of his best lifts were a 320 pound Clean and Jerk, 215 pounds in the one hand clean and jerk and 183 pounds in the one arm press.
All impressive marks but the lift which he should be remembered best for is his harness lift of a pair of oxen totaling 5225 pounds - that would make his performance the greatest ever recorded in that particular lift.
Trappen also performed for the Barnum and Bailey Circus as did some wrestling as well in addition to feats of strength.
Labels: Barnum and Bailey Circus, Clean and Jerk, German Strongman, Harness Lifting, Hermann Goerner, Karl Moerke, One Arm Clean and Jerk, One Arm Press, Paul Trappen, Supporting Feat, Wrestler
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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
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
German WeightlifterBerg-Hantell barbells and plates were the inspiration for all modern Olympic sets. Here's one in use by the German lifter A. Wiedmer who shows how it's done in winning this early weightlifting contest sometime in the 1920s.
Labels: A. Wiedmer, Barbell, Barbell and Plates, Berg-Hantell, German Strongman, German Weightlifter, one arm snatch, Strength Equipment
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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
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
German Weightlifting Club ~ 1905A German weightlifting club circa 1905 with a selection of classic equipment. Of note are the large and rather impressive kettlebells. If you are familiar with your kettlebell history you know that the Germans were particularly fond of kettlebell juggling which is the reason for the squared off handles.
Labels: Ancient Kettlebells, Antique Equipment, German Kettlebells, German Strongman
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Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Oldtime WeightliftersHow's this for a crew? This trio operated in the 1900-1910 era. From left to right: Ludwig Weigland of Munich (One-Hand Snatch: 165 lbs., One-Hand Jerk: 200 lbs., Two-Hands Press: 242 lbs.) Alois Selos (Third place winner in the 1905 World's Championship, Duisberg, Germany) and Franz Bauerfeind (Undefeated Beer Garden wrestling champion of Old Vienna).
Labels: Alois Selos, Franz Bauerfeind, German Strongman, Ludwig Weigland, Oldtime Strongmen, One Hand Clean and Jerk, One hand Snatch, Vienna, Weightlifters
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Thursday, April 02, 2009
| George "Rasso" Stanglemeier was an early German strongman famous for his arm strength and development. In fact, he was one of the first strongmen to curl over 200 pounds. He was the leader of the group of strongmen known as the Rasso Trio (who were famously defeated by Apollon.) |  George "Rasso" Stanglemeier |
Labels: Apollon, Bicep Strength, George 'Rasso' Stanglemeier, German Strongman, Rasso Trio
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Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Paul KronusAs a young man, Paul Kronus of Germany was inspired to become a strongman after watching a performance by Karl Abs. During the 1920's Kronus traveled throughout Europe and the U.S. performing feats of strength, among them this harness lift of a car said to weigh 3600 pounds.
Labels: Car, German Strongman, Harness Lift, Karl Abs, Oldtime Strongman, Oldtime Strongman Feat, Paul Kronus, Supporting Feat
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Lorenz GeerLorenz Geer, the popular oldtime strongman from Munich, Germany, was known as "King of The Snatch" in the later part of the 19th century. He achieved a right-hand snatch of 165 pounds and 9 reps with 142 pounds. Geer was particularly fond of working with thick-handled equipment.
Labels: German Strongman, Lorenz Geer, Oldtime Strongman, one arm snatch, Thick Handle
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Karl AbsKarl Abs, known as "The German Oak" was the first man in Germany to continental and jerk 330 pounds. He accomplished this feat back in 1885. He also won the European Greco-Roman Heavyweight Championship in 1894.
Labels: German Oak, German Strongman, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Karl Abs, Wrestler
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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, February 05, 2009
Karl MoerkeIn order to win the weightlifting World Championship in 1920, the German strongman Karl Moerke performed the following lifts:
Labels: Continental, Continental and Jerk, German Strongman, Jerk, Karl Moerke, one arm snatch, Press
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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
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Hans Kavan: The German HerculesHans Kavan was a little-known strongman from the 1920's who was known as 'The German Hercules.' Here's his signature feat: The Human Link feat performed with two horses on each arm, pulling in opposite directions and threatening to tear him limb from limb.
Labels: German Strongman, Hans Kavan, Human Link, Supporting Feat, Tendon Strength, The German Hercules
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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, January 26, 2009
Carl BuschCarl Busch was a great strongman and wrestler who was active in the early 20th century. After winning the 1901 German national title, he toured europe performing feats of strength and wrestling all comers. He even wrestled the great Frank Gotch to a draw under Greco-Roman rules. Busch also wrestled the likes of George Hackenschmidt, Professor Roller, and even Farmer Burns.
As far as feats of strength, Busch could bent press 250 pounds at a bodyweight of 175. Here he does a Crucifix with a pair of German Kettlebells.
Labels: Bent Press, Carl Busch, Crucifix, Farmer Burns, Frank Gotch, George Hackenschmidt, German Strongman, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Kettlebell, Strongman Feat, Wrestler
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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
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Karl AbsKnown as the father of German Strength Sports, Karl Abs was the first man in Germany to jerk 130 kg. He could also bent press 242 pounds and was a very good professional wrestler, often billed as "The German Oak."
Labels: Bent Press, German Oak, German Strongman, Jerk, Karl Abs, Oldtime Strongman, Wrestler
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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, February 14, 2008
Hermann Goerner's Human Bridge FeatA look at Hermann Goerner's incredible "Human Bridge" stunt where he supports a platform on his shoulders while an automobile loaded with passengers drives over it.
It was said that at the heaviest point in this feat, Goerner supported over 3000 pounds on his shoulders.
This may not be quite as heavy or as dangerous as Lionel Strongfort's Human Bridge Feat but it's still very impressive.
Labels: German Strongman, Hermann Goerner, Human Bridge, Oldtime Strongman Feat, Supporting Feat
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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, January 25, 2008
Hans BeckHans Beck was a great German weightlifter and Strongman toward the end of the 1890's. He won two German championships and a European Championship from 1895-1897 and was the first man to "continental" and jerk 330 pounds (as pictured.)
Like many German Strongmen, he was also very good at barrel lifting feats pressing a 249 pound barrel overhead for three repetitions and a barrel filled to 275-1/2 pounds for one rep.
Labels: Barrel Lifting, Barrel Lifting Exercises, Bench Press, Continental, German Strongman, Hans Beck, Jerk, Oldtime Strongman Feat
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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
 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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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
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
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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