Thursday, March 05, 2009
We have featured his gym, his equipment, even his wife... the only thing missing is the man himself, so here he is: Ed Yarick.
In addition to running one of the most popular gyms in the land, the 6'4" Yarick won the tall class in the "Mr. Pacific Coast" bodybuilding contest and was also the coach of the 1952 National Jr. Weightlifting Team.
Yarick's Gym was located at 3355 Foothill Blvd. in Oakland, California and was one of the centers of the strength world on the West coast. It was also where Steve reeves got his start and the training headquarters at various times of Roy Hilligenn, John Davis, Clancy Ross, Jack Delinger, Tommy Kono and Doug Hepburn (among others)
Labels: Clancy Ross, Doug Hepburn, Ed Yarick, Ed Yarick's Gym, Jack Dellinger, John Davis, Roy Hilligenn, Steve Reeves, 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
Friday, February 06, 2009
Clancy Ross1945 Mr. America | 1. Clarence Ross 2. Harold Zinkin 3. Kenneth Graham 4. Elias Rodriguez 5. Phil Courtois - Cliff Byers - Perry Combs - Jack Delinger - Gene Jantzen - Joe Lauriano - Sam Loprinzi - Eric Pedersen - Leo Stern - Marvin Urvant - Kimon Voyages Most Muscular: 1. Clarence Ross 2. Sam Loprinzi 2. Kimon Voyages 4. Phil Courtois 4. Eric Pedersen 4. Elias Rodriguez |
Labels: 1945 Mr. America, AAU, Bodybuilding Contest, Clancy Ross, Eric Pedersen, Gene Jantzen, Harold Zinkin, Jack Dellinger, Kimon Voyages, Most Muscular, Mr. America, Sam Loprinzi
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, January 24, 2009
Mr. American 1949 Jack Delinger | 1.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. |
Labels: 1949 Mr. America, 1949 Mr. America Contest, Cover, Jack Dellinger, Kimon Voyages, Melvin Wells, Mr. America, Stan Stanczyk, 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, March 24, 2008
Melvin WellsMelvin Wells was a great bodybuilder during the 1940's and 50's.
He won the "Most-Muscular" title but finished second in the 1949 AAU Mr. America contest to Jack Dellinger. He repeated this feat the next year, finishing second at the 1950 AAU Mr. America contest, this time to John Farbotnik. but again winning the "Most Muscular" award.
Wells did eventually win a contest, finishing first at the 1951 "Mr. Strength and Health" contest.
What is most interesting about Melvin Wells though is that he didn't lift barbells and dumbbells, he lifted rocks in an unheated garage at his home in Buffalo, New York.
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilder, Bodybuilding, Golden Age Bodybuilder, Jack Dellinger, John Farbotnik, Melvin Wells, Mr. Strength and Health, Mr.America Contest, Rock Lifting
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, December 18, 2007
The York Big 12 SpecialThis is the weight set that helped put a lot of muscle on a lot of people - The York Big 12 Special as advertised on the back of the June, 1952 issue of Strength and Health Magazine.
That's Jack Delinger (Mr. America, 1949) on the left, and John Farbotnik (Mr. America, 1950) on the right.
This set included 240 pounds of barbell plates, long barbell bar, short dumbbell/swingbell bar, health boots, a head strap for building neck strength, wrist roller, kettlebell handles, collars and four York training courses (York Dumbbell course 1 & 2, Leg Development and Swing Bar Training.)
Labels: Barbell, Big 12 Special, Collars, head strap, Iron Boots, Jack Dellinger, John Farbotnik, kettlebell handles, Mr. America, swingbell, Training Course, Training Equipment, wrist roller, York Barbell
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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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.

Ed Yarick
Clancy Ross
Mr. American 1949 Jack Delinger