Sunday, February 07, 2010
Tullus Wright: The American Sampson Another rare look at Tullus Wright, The American Sampson and a few of his great stage weights. Note the thick handles on his equipment. He was good friends with George Zottman.
Labels: Classic Equipment, George Zottman, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Performing Strongman, The American Sampson, Tullus Wright
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Monday, January 18, 2010
Rare Louis Cyr PictureHere's a rare picture of Louis Cyr that I guarantee you have never seen. Also, some pictures of Cyr lifting weights look a bit "off" or awkward (this one included) -- it's because in Cyr's day, one had to remain still when having pictures taken. This was simply not possible when heavy weights were involves, so props were often used. Regardless, Cyr proved his strength many times over.
Labels: Barrel, Canadian Strongman, Dumbbell Lift, Globe Dumbbell, Louis Cyr
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Sandow's DumbbellYou've got to give Sandow a lot of credit ~ he had style. This dumbbell is obviously a lot lighter than it appears but you have to admit that it looks outstanding when lifted on stage. You can also see it in action here.
Labels: Classic Equipment, Dumbbell, Eugen Sandow, Globe Dumbbell
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Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Harry Shafran's WeightsA unique look at some of the equipment once belonging to Harry Shafran and housed in his great gym. Much of what is shown here was previously owned by Warren Lincoln Travis. The whereabouts of this equipment is currently unknown.
Labels: Classic Gym, Globe Dumbbell, Globe Dumbbells, Gym Equipment, Harry Shafran, Harry Shafrans Gym, Indian Clubs, Kettlebells, Strongman Equipment
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Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Sandow's EquipmentWhere did Sandow get all his great stage weights? Charles Heap and Co., of course. This was back in the 1890's mind you. Sure would be great to have a place to get weights like these now-a-days...
Labels: Barbell, Classic Equipment, Dumbbell, Eugen Sandow, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Ring Weights
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Thursday, September 24, 2009
Young Louis CyrA look at a young Louis Cyr taking a huge Globe Dumbbell for a ride. This rare engraving is from a Quebec newspaper from the late 1800s.
Labels: Globe Dumbbell, Louis Cyr, Quebec Strongman
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Ernest CadineAnother classic shot of the great French Weightlifter Ernest Cadine doing his thing with some classic iron. That looks like one hell of a fine place to train.
Labels: Classic Equipment, Classic Strongman Gyms, Ernest Cadine, French Strongman, French Weightlifter, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell
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Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Unknown Strongman #1There are a lot of well-known "names" throughout strength history. Just spend a few minutes on this site and you'll get a good idea of most of them. But there are also hundreds, if not thousands of strongmen out there whose names and feats have been lost to the sands of time.
Take this gentleman, for example: All we know is that he was active in the Holyoke, Massachusetts area at the turn of the century... and he had good taste in equipment. That's a fine looking dumbbell by his feet. Only time will tell if we ever learn anything more about him.
Labels: Classic Strongman, Globe Dumbbell, Holyoke Massachusetts, Unknown Strongman
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Sunday, September 13, 2009
What is a Bar-Bell?A look at a Milo Barbell Co. Ad from 1924. In those days, "lifting weights" was not as popular as it is today, hence the need for Alan Calvert to use an ad like this to educate the public as to what a "bar-bell" was and what it could do for someone when they used it correctly. Sig Klein is pictured demonstrating the equipment.
Labels: Advertisement, Alan Calvert, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Kettlebell, Milo Barbell Company, Milo Kettlebell, Sig Klein
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
John Grimek and Classic WeightsWhen you work at the York Barbell Company you get to lift some classic weights any time you want to. Here's John Grimek about to do just that. The top one is the famous Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell. The middle one is a giant dumbbell which belonged to the great French strongman Apollon. Dave Sheppard can be seen lifting that one here and I can be found using it here. You can see Grimek using the bottom one here.
Labels: Apollon, Apollon's Dumbbell, Classic Equipment, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, John Grimek, Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell, York Barbell Company
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Friday, July 03, 2009
Charles RigoulotThe great French Strongman Charles Rigoulot is shown here in a rare shot about to perform a one-arm dumbbell swing with 194 pounds.
Labels: Charles Rigoulot, Dumbbell Swing, French Strongman, French Weightlifter, Globe Dumbbell
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Monday, June 29, 2009
Classic Polish Globe WeightsGreat equipment practically begs to be used and I would say that would definitely be the case here. These classic Globe Barbells, Dumbbells, Kettlebells and Blockweights from a century ago can be found in a Polish Museum.
Labels: Ancient Kettlebells, Block Weights, Classic Equipment, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Polish Weights, Strongman Equipment, Thick Bars
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
IRON MASTER DumbellsAnother look at one of Osmo Kiiha's great IRON MASTER dumbbells. This one looks well used because of all the deadlifts and shrugs I did with it (and its mate) back in high school. If we decided to bring something like these back, would you be interested?
Labels: Globe Dumbbell, Iron Master Dumbbells, Osmo Kiiha, Strongman Equipment, Strongman Training Equipment
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Ernest Cadine ~ Dumbbell SwingIn this classic photo it's not hard to see why the great French weightlifter Ernest Cadine was so formidable. He got this 150 pound dumbbell overhead by way of the "swing". This picture was probably taken at Le Gaulois' place.
Labels: Cannon, Dumbbell Swing, Ernest Cadine, French Strongman, French Weightlifter, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Noel Le Gaulois, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Swing
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The Millennium DumbbellThe Millennium Dumbbell was created around ten years ago as a tribute to a weight once lifted by the great French Strongman Apollon. At 225 pounds, The Millennium outweighs the famous Thomas Inch dumbbell considerably. Needless to say the 2-3/8 inch thick handle necessitates a tremendous level of grip strength in order to lift.
Labels: Challenge Weight, Famous Dumbbell, Globe Dumbbell, Grip Equipment, Grip Strength, Hand Strength, Millennium Dumbbell, The Millennium Dumbbell, Thick Handle
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Monday, May 04, 2009
Young ApollonThe famous French strongman Louis "Apollon" Uni at 19 years of age. As the story goes he ran off and joined the circus at 14 and started performing as a strongman a year later. Even at this young age, Apollon's potential for great strength is evident by his thick bone structure. Strength ran in the family, it as said that he was descended from Pompelius Unicus, an undefeated Roman Gladiator.
Labels: Apollon, Circus Strongman, French Strongman, Globe Dumbbell, Louis Uni, Oldtime Strongman
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Thursday, March 26, 2009
Dan LurieBrooklyn-born Dan Lurie won the "Most Muscular" subdivision and finished second in the AAU Mr. America contest in 1942, 1943 and 1944. He went on to become a very successful gym owner, magazine publisher and TV strongman. He also established the Dan Lurie Barbell Company which produced barbells and plates primarily on the east coast.
As a strongman, he performed 1655 push ups in 90 minutes, a bent press of 285 pounds (at a bodyweight of 168 pounds) and backlifted 1810 pounds.
Labels: Back Lift, Bent Press, Dan Lurie, Globe Dumbbell, Most Muscular, Mr. America, Mr. America Contest, Pushups
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Saturday, March 14, 2009
Dr. RouhetDr. Rouhet, the great French physical culture instructor, shows off his ability and his training equipment. His favorite feat was to muscle out a 44-pound French ring weight which he does here while also pressing a huge globe dumbbell. Among the other great oldtime equipment, note the heavy indian club on the left. The picture dates to 1910.
Labels: Dr. Georges Rouhet, Dr. Rouhet, French Strongman, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Heavy Indian Clubs, Muscle Out, Physical Culture, Press
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Dave Sheppard Lifts Apollon's DumbbellA famous picture of Dave Sheppard lifting a classic stage dumbbell that once belonged to the French strongman Apollon. This is the very same dumbbell that I can be seen lifting here. You can't tell by the picture but the handle is made of polished brass, and a true work of art.
Labels: Apollon, Apollon's Dumbbell, Dave Sheppard, Globe Dumbbell, Thick Handle
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Friday, February 13, 2009
Globe DumbbellsFor the better part of the last century and a half, globe dumbbells and barbells were the "art form" of the Oldtime Strongman. Many were hollow, which allowed it to be filled progressively with shot to increase the weight and produce a unique training effect. Others, like this one, were solid, and just fun to train with. Several companies used to manufacture globe dumbbells: The Good Barbell Company, The Jackson Barbell Company and, of course,The York Barbell Company who made this one.
In fact, York Barbell was still producing globes like this one until well into the 1970's. Unfortunately there are no solid globe dumbbells currently being manufactured today, so if you see any, better grab them quickly because they are exceedingly rare.
Labels: Globe Dumbbell, Good Dumbbells, Jackson Barbell Company, York Barbell Company
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Friday, January 30, 2009
Physical Training in Ancient Turkey The gymnastic exercises of the students of Mekteb-i Sultani, taken in Istanbul, Turkey, circa 1879. Note the use of large globe dumbbells, ring weights, kettlebells and the high bar for gymnastics. All very interesting in that the equipment looks very similar to that which was often used by Apollon.
Labels: Ancient Training, Apollon, Globe Dumbbell, Istanbul, Kettlebells, Ring Weights, Turkey, Vintage Strength Equipment
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
Madame Yucca - The Female HerculesA rare poster featuring Madame Yucca as perforoming in the Forepaugh and Sells Brother Circus. The Female Hercules was shown lifting various globe weights overhead, harness liftnig several animals including an elephant and even lifting an anvil with her teeth. Note the use of kettlebells for one and two arm lifts. The poster dates from 1898.
Labels: Adam Forepaugh, Anvil Lifting, Circus, Circus Poster, Feat, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Harness Lifting, Madame Yucca, Sells Brothers Circus, Strongwoman, Teeth Lifting
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Wednesday, May 28, 2008
| A young Bernarr Macfadden pressing a 100-pound dumbbell overhead and looking very spry after a 7-day fast. Macfadden was one of the first pioneers of the physical culture lifestyle. His views on the benefits of daily exercise, proper diet and clean living were radical at the time (the early 1900s) but are widely accepted today (although,ironically, probably just as seldom practiced.) |  Bernarr Macfadden |
Labels: Bernarr Macfadden, Dumbbell Press, Globe Dumbbell, Physical Culture
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Thursday, April 10, 2008
George Zottman Globe BarbellsA rare picture of a young George Zottman with some of his great oldtime stage equipment. Grip strength is a premium for any oldtime strongman. Gotta love those thick-handled globe barbells and dumbbells. You can tell a lot of great workouts happened with those.
The globe dumbbell in the foreground weighs 175 pounds -- and the dog's name was Sphinx. Tullus Wrtght "The American Sampson" is pictured sitting on the left.
Labels: Dumbbell, George Zottman, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Grip Strength, Grip Tools, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Thick Bars, Thick Handle, Tullus Wright, Vintage Strength Equipment, Zottman Curl
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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, March 27, 2008
Doug Hepburn Presses the Jowett DumbbellDuring his pro-wrestling career, Doug Hepburn often performed feats of strength in the ring. Here Doug presses the 169-1/2 pound George Jowett dumbbell overhead. This special dumbbell was said to have a handle "four-times" thicker than a normal dumbbell. -- Yet another incredible pressing feat from the great Canadian Strongman.
Labels: Challenge Weight, Doug Hepburn, Dumbbell, Dumbbell Press, George Jowett, George Jowett Dumbbell, Globe Dumbbell, Overhead Dumbbell Press, Overhead Press, Shoulder Exercise, Thick Handle
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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, March 20, 2008
 Bert Elliott Bent-Press | The great weightlifter Bert Elliott was also a specialist in the bent-press. He had a special 201-pound globe "Challenge" Dumbbell that few could budge but which he could lift with ease. It was thought by many "old time" weight lifters that due to the incredible midsection strength that was developed by the bent-press, improving that lift would also improve one's total. Sure looks that way here. |
Labels: Bent Press, Bert Elliott, Challenge Weight, Globe Dumbbell, Oldtime Strongman Feat, weightlifting
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Friday, February 15, 2008
 Inch Dumbbell Lift | History is made: John Gallacher of Glasgow becomes the first man in modern history to lift the Thomas Inch Dumbbell at the 1957 NABBA Mr. Universe Contest held in London, England. Mr. Gallacher fully deadlifted the Inch Dumbbell 3 times that night and was awarded the Special Plaque by Thomas Inch himself. As you should know, the famous Thomas Inch Dumbbell weighs 172 pounds and has a 2-3/8th inch diameter thick handle making it a tremendous grip challenge for anyone who attempts to lift it. This challenge weight defied thousands of athletes until Mr. Gallacher came along. |
Labels: Barbells Dumbbells, Challenge Weight, Globe Dumbbell, Inch Dumbbell, Thick Handle, Thomas Inch
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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
Alan CalvertA very rare picture of Milo Barbell Company founder and noted strength author Alan Calvert.
Calvert established the Milo Barbell company in 1902, one of the very first training publications "Strength" Magazine in 1914, wrote several training books and courses and helped pave the way for thousands of trainees to develop size and strength.
Gotta love those classic 'bells!
Labels: Alan Calvert, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Milo Barbell Company, Strength Author, Strongman Equipment
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Thursday, February 07, 2008
Pierre GasnierPierre Gasnier was the quintessential Oldtime Strongman: BIlled as the "French Hercules," He performed feats of strength for the Barnum and Bailey circus in the late 1890's: tearing decks of cards, bending horseshoes, breaking chains, and lifting his special "challenge weight" globe dumbbell shown here.
The dumbbell had a handle of 2" in diameter and weighs 236 French Livres (which equals 260 pounds) Gasnier weighed only 138 pounds at a height of 5'3" yet was able to lift the weight with ease, a feat that such other noted strongmen such as Sebastian Miller, Hans Beck, and Franz "Cyclops" Bienkowski could not duplicate.
Labels: Bent Press, Challenge Weight, Circus Strongman, Cyclops, Franz Bienkowski, French Strongman, Globe Dumbbell, Hans Beck, Oldtime Strongman, Pierre Gasnier, Sebastian Miller
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Friday, February 01, 2008
The Famous Rolandow DumbbellThe Rolandow Dumbbell has a very interesting history. It was originally cast by the McLoughlin Iron Foundry in Brooklyn, New York in 1896 at the request of Warren Lincoln Travis who wanted to use it in his act.
The dumbbell was supposed to be 200 lbs. but came out of the mold just over it at 209lbs.
A few years went by and fellow strongman G.W. Rolandow offered to purchase it from Travis, on the condition that Travis deliver the bell himself.
Travis grabbed the bell, hopped on the nearest street car, transfered twice and carried the bell two blocks and up two flights of steps to Rolandow's office.
Rolandow then stated that unless he could lift the dumbbell, there would be no sale. And with that, we walked over to it, hefted it to his shoulder and commenced to bent-press it no less than seven times!
After several decades, Rolandow closed his gym and his famous dumbbell eventually became acquired by Sig Klein who featured it as a challenge weight in his gym.
If someone could succeed in bent-pressing the Rolandow Dumbbell, Klein put their name on an Honor Roll, here's how it looked:
(1) G.W. Rolandow...................1900
(2) John Grimek.........................1934
(3) Bob Hoffman........................1936
(4) Wally Zagurski..................1936
(5) John Davis............................1936
(6) Jack Kent..........................1937
(7) Frank Bates........................1937
(8) Bob Harley.........................1937
(9) Siegmund Klein...................1939
(10) Aurele Velleux..................1939
(11) George Hobby...................1940
(12) Elwood Holbrook...............1941
Labels: Bent Press, Challenge Weight, Famous Dumbbell, G.W. Rolandow, Globe Dumbbell, John Davis, Rolandow Dumbbell, Sig Klein, Sig Kleins Gym, Strongman Equipment, Wally Zagurski, Warren Lincoln Travis
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Tuesday, January 29, 2008
| John Grimek had his eye on lifting the Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell for a long time. Needless to say the ponderous weight defied his attempts to lift it, just as it had for the better part of nearly a century. Finally, Grimek succeeded in bent-pressing the thick-handled dumbbell overhead and added his name to a very short list. You can currently see the Cyr Challenge dumbbell at the York Barbell Hall of Fame in York Pennslyvania. |  John Grimek Bent-Presses the Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell |
Labels: Bent Press, Challenge Weight, Globe Dumbbell, John Grimek, Louis Cyr, Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell, Shot Loaded, Strongman Equipment, Thick Handle, York Barbell Hall of Fame
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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
 Joe Nordquest | Joe Nordquest was one of those rare individuals who seemed to posses incredible strength at whatever lift he tried. He could perform a one-finger and holdout with a 70-pound dumbbell and his record 388 pound "shoulder bridge press" still stands, (at least to my knowledge.) Here is Joe Nordquest in mid-bent press. (He could bent press nearly 300 pounds with ease.) -- Gotta love that globe barbell. |
Labels: Bent Press, Globe Dumbbell, Joe Nordquest, Oldtime Lift, Oldtime Strongman, 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
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
The Brothers MarxJohn Grunn Marx and his brother Aloysius used to perform together as "The Brothers Marx" - American Gladiators, The Strongest Men Living.
(It was actually brother Al who taught John Grunn the strongman trade.)
As this oldtime strongman poster indicates, their act consisted of the lifting of large globe dumbbells, kettlebells and various supporting feats... And as also indicated on the poster, their apparati was available for inspection.
Labels: Aloysius Marx, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, John Grunn Marx, Kettlebells, Oldtime Strongman Feat, Oldtime Strongmen, Performing Strongmen, Poster, Supporting Feat, The Brothers Marx
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Monday, January 14, 2008
Louis Cyr Strikes a Classic PoseThis picture was taken in the late 1800's, a time when the subject of a photograph had to stand still for long periods of time -- which means the globe dumbbell that Louis Cyr is holding aloft here is likely just a prop.
Cyr did, however, did possess the ability to move such huge weights.
He once jerked a 132 pound dumbbell for 36 reps and his bent press of 273 pounds beat Eugen Sandow's mark. Also note the rather impressive Ring Weight.
Labels: Dumbbell Press, Globe Dumbbell, Louis Cyr, Oldtime Strongman Feat, Overhead Press, Ring Weights, Strongman 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
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Thick Bar TrainingAn impromptu shot from a training session last summer. Should there be any question why so many of the oldtime strongmen lifted with Thick Bars?
This thick-handled globe "dumbbell" once belonged to the French Strongman Apollon.
Labels: Apollon, Forearm Strength, Globe Dumbbell, Grip Strength, John Wood, Thick Bar, Thick Bar Lifting, Thick Bar Training
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Wednesday, December 12, 2007
The Thomas Inch Dumbbell ReplicaIn the late 90s, the Staver Foundry of Minnesota produced replicas of the famous Thomas Inch challenge dumbbell. These solid globe dumbbells weighed 172 pounds but the handle is slightly thicker (2.47" vs. 2-3/8" on the original.)
172 Pounds may not seem like much of a challenge to lift but the thick handle makes it nearly impossible. Thousands of athletes have tried to lift the Inch Dumbbell but only a few have succeeded. You'll need a very strong grip if you want to add your name to the list.
Labels: Challenge Weight, Famous Dumbbell, Globe Dumbbell, Grip Strength, Inch Dumbbell, Strongman Equipment, Thick Bar Lifting, Thick Handle, Thomas Inch
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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, November 06, 2007
John Grimek Vs. The Cyr Challenge DumbbellHere's another look at the Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell. From what I understand John Grimek never turned down a challenge. Eventually he was able to add his name to the very short list of men who could get the Cyr Dumbbell Overhead.
Labels: Challenge Weight, Globe Dumbbell, John Grimek, Louis Cyr, Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell
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Sunday, November 04, 2007
| Here's another look at the lovely Pudgy Stockton gracing the cover of the March 1948 issue of Strength and Health. As was customary in most pictures of Pudgy, she was holding aloft some great weight, in this case, a very nice MILO globe dumbbell. I wonder how many reps she could have gotten? |  Pudgy Stockton |
Labels: Globe Dumbbell, Milo Barbell Company, Pudgy Stockton, Strength and Health
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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