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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Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thomas InchIn days of yore, one of benchmark tests of strength was a "muscle out" with a 56-pound ring weight. Here's the great British champion Thomas Inch with 56 pounds in the the right hand and a 54-pounds kettlebell in the left.
Labels: 56-Pound Weight, Kettlebell, Muscle Out, Shoulder Strength, Thomas Inch
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Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Blockweight!The oldtime strongmen lifted just about any weight they could get their hands on. Shown here is a blockweight, an obvious precursor to the kettlebell. These were used for "weight" mostly for measurement or scale purposes and the handle made transportation a little easier. I suspect that many of the oldtime strongmen noticed them backstage at the theaters where they performed (where they were used as ballast to counterweigh theatre props) and decided to perform interesting feats with them.
Labels: Block Weights, Classic Equipment, Equipment, Kettlebell, Kettlebell History
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Saturday, November 21, 2009
Charles PhelanA look at the great Conney Island strongman Charles Phelan in mid-"anyhow" with some great stage weights. Phelan also told jokes between feats of strength, billing himself (quite uniquely, I might add) as "The World's Most Entertaining Strongman.
Labels: Charles Phelan, Coney Island, Coney Island Strongman, Globe Barbell, Kettlebell, Performing Strongman, Stage Barbell
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Thursday, November 05, 2009
Russian Kettlebell Lifting ContestHere's something you don't see every day, an actual Russian Kettlebell contest. This one was held in Moscow, circa 1965. In these types of contests the object is to get the kettlebell (or bells, when a pair is used) overhead as many times as possible in a 10:00 time period. Usually the one-arm snatch or two arm jerk is contested and, as you can see there is certainly no lack of willing participants.
Labels: Kettlebell, Kettlebell Contest, Kettlebell Jerk, one arm snatch, Russian Kettlebell Training, Russian Kettlebells
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Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Valentin DikulValentin Dikul was a Russian circus performer who, at 14 years old, sustained a terrible back injury when the tightrope he was practicing on snapped. As a result, doctors said he would never regain the use of his legs... but he had other ideas... two weeks later Dikul left the hospital and began to train...
Not only did he walk again, he found that he had an incredible potential for strength and power. In fact, he went on to squat over 1000 pounds and again perform in the circus, this time as a strongman. Above, he performs a one-arm snatch with a 90-kg kettlebell.
Today, Dikul runs a clinics all over Europe teaching the system he developed for spinal cord rehabilitation.
Labels: Circus Act, Circus Strongman, Kettlebell, Kettlebell Snatch, Russian Strongman, Valentin Dikul
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Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Al TauscherAl Tauscher the great Oregon strongman, was adept at lifting all kinds of weights but was particularly fond of training with kettlebells. You can read more about him here and here.
Labels: Al Tauscher, Kettlebell, kettlebell training
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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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Friday, August 21, 2009
Apollon Trained With KettlebellsYou can add the great French Strongman Apollon to the long list of athletes who have used Kettlebells over the years. This picture is from a course written in 1909.
Labels: Apollon, Kettlebell, kettlebell training
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Anton MatysekThe great strongman Anton Matysek was born in Czechoslovakia in 1893 but emigrated to the U.S. when he was 12 years old. At 17 years old, he broke the AAU record for the Bent Press with a lift of 241-1/2 lbs at a bodyweight of only 167 lb. In addition to his weight lifting exploits, Matysek was a master of Muscle Control.
Labels: Anton Matysek, Bent Press, Kettlebell, Muscle Control
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Charles PhelanHow about that kettlebell? Charles Phelan billed himself not as the World's strongest man but the World's most entertaining strongman as he told jokes between his strength feats while he performed at Coney Island. He weighed only 140 pounds but held five world records: a one-finger lift of 506 pounds, 700 pounds with two fingers, a hand and thigh lift of 1125 pounds, a hip lift of 1600 pounds and a backlift of 2500 pounds. Phelan was taught how to be a strongman by Warren Lincoln Travis and was a good friend of Vic Boff.
Labels: Back Lift, Charles Phelan, Coney Island, Hand And Thigh Lift, Hip Lift, Kettlebell, Oldtime Strongman, One Finger Lift, Vic Boff
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Alexeev and KettlebellsAlexeev is among the many Russian Champions who maintained a love of kettlebells training throughout his career. Based on the throwing circle at his feet he's using the kettlebell to warm up and probably about to do a little shot putting.
Labels: Kettlebell, Russian Kettlebells, Russian Strongman, Russian Weightlifter, Shot Put, Vasily Alexeev
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Monday, May 18, 2009
Clevio MassimoClevio Massimo, known as the "Modern Hercules" certainly earned his nickname. He 'leg pressed' eight men in the Tomb of Hercules position, held a 210 pound barbell around his neck while in a hand stand, bent nails and was also a very good wrestler. Here he presses a tremendous kettlebell.
Labels: Clevio Massimo, Hand Balancing Feat, handstand, Kettlebell, Leg Press, Modern Hercules, The Tomb of Hercules
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Monday, May 04, 2009
Black Iron Strength KettlebellsKettlebells are pretty common these days but you probably haven't seen anything like these before: precision diamond-point knurled handles, polished stainless steel, 25 ton press through construction AND made in the USA.
These kettlebells were made by Black Iron Strength the same folks who make our thick bars. Of course the inevitable question is going to be "How do they compare to cast iron kettlebells?"
The answer is "they don't" - both styles are good but in their own way and for different reasons. We may carry these at some point in the future...
Labels: American Kettlebells, Ancient Kettlebells, Black Iron Strength, Equipment, Kettlebell, Kettlebell Exercises, Kettlebells, Unusual Training Equipment
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
 Al Tauscher | Al Tauscher, the Oregon Strongman, getting in a quick kettlebell workout back around 1916. Though he only weighed 162 pounds, Tauscher was incredibly strong. In this classic shot he presses a 105 lb. kettlebell with the left hand while simultaneously curling a 75 lb. 'bell in the right... This feat was said to be ridiculously easy for Tauscher by those who witnessed it. He could also one-arm snatch 157 pounds and one-arm clean and jerk 210 pounds, both of which were American Amateur records at the time. |
Labels: Al Tauscher, Kettlebell, Kettlebell Curls, Kettlebell Press, One Arm Clean and Jerk, one arm snatch
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Monday, March 23, 2009
Ring WeightsOne of the most interesting pieces of training equipment often used by many of the oldtime strongmen were ring weights. An early version of the kettlebell, ringweights were most often used for a variety of training techniques including throwing, such as in the Scottish Highland Games (in which the 56-pound weight for height is contested) as well as the popular oldtime lift "the muscle out."
Labels: 56-Pound Weight, Ancient Kettlebells, Antique Equipment, Equipment, Highland Game Events, Highland Games, Kettlebell, Muscle Out, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Ring Weights, Weight Throwing
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Young Lionel StrongfortLionel Strongfort's most famous feat was The Human Bridge where he supported 3-1/2 tons in the Tomb of Hercules. It was this feat by which he traveled the country amazing audiences and becoming a household word. On the advice of his mentor Professor Attila, Strongfort established one of the first, if not the first mail order phsyical culture businesses in 1898. Known as "Strongfortism" his mail order business lasted until around World War II. As you can see, Strongfort was also a fan of kettlebells.
Labels: Human Bridge, Kettlebell, Lionel Strongfort, Mail Order Course, Mail Order Muscle Courses, Oldtime Strongman, Strongfortism, The Tomb of Hercules
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Basil KorolevBasil Korolev was Russian by birth but left his native land in 1919 at the start of the revolution. He settled in Japan were he was undefeated in Judo and boxing contests and held the heavyweight title in both sports until his retirement in 1936.
Here is Basil at a strength demonstration curling a pair of 80-pound kettlebells with only his little fingers.
Labels: Basil Korolev, Boxing, Curl, Finger Strength, Judo, Kettlebell, Mother Russia, One Finger Lift, Russian Kettlebells, Russian Strongman
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Chinese Stone Padlocks in ActionThe Shaolin Monks referred to traditional stone lock training as Shi-Suo and have been using them for centuries. These stone weights are lifted, pressed, thrown and caught in a variety of ways in order to build upper body strength and stamina. Based on how they are used, stone locks are obviously a distant relative of the kettlebell.
Labels: Chinese Stone Lock, Equipment, Kettlebell, Martial Arts, Martial Arts Training, Shaolin Monks, Shi-Suo, Stone Lock, Stone Weight, Traditional Exercise
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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Thomas Inch: Two hands Anyhow The great British strongman Thomas Inch was well known for his Grip Strength and his famous Challenge Dumbbell but he was also a great all around strength athlete.
Here is Mr. Inch half-way through a Two Hands Anyhow lift, one of his specialties. The barbell was first taken to the shoulders, jerked, then switched to the right hand. The kettlebell at his feet, which weighed 90 pounds, was then brought overhead with the left hand.
Labels: British Strongman, Grip Strength, Kettlebell, Kettlebell Lift, Thomas Inch, Two Hands Anyhow
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Ali KotierStrength is a state of mind - there have been far too many many strongmen who do not fit the typical mold to think otherwise. One such example is pictured above: Ali Kotier weighed only 138 pounds yet could overhead press a hundred-pound barbell forty times in succession.
The kettlebell belonged to Alan Calvert, and also can be see here, lifted by Clevio Massimo.
Labels: Ali Kotier, Kettlebell, Oldtime Strongman
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Thursday, February 05, 2009
The 2 Hands AnyhowA step-by-step look at the 2-Hands Anyhow. It has been said that this lift is the ultimate test of strength, endurance and agility: it is the method by which the greatest weight has ever been lifted overhead with one hand, the complete lift lasts 12-15 seconds, and it requires practice, balance and the perfection of having to do two things at once.
Once the lifter completes a Bent Press an additional weight, in the form of a dumbbell or kettlebell is cleaned to the shoulder and pressed overhead. The greatest performance of all time in this lift is 448 pounds, lifted by Arthur Saxon in 1905.
Labels: 2 Hands Anyhow, Arthur Saxon, Bent Press, Kettlebell, Oldtime Lift, Two Hands Anyhow
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Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Owen Carr and Al TauscherA selection of great oldtime weights: barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, kettlebell handles and a thick-handled exhibition bell. On the left is Owen Carr, a physical education director in the Portland, Oregon School district for over forty years and the man that organized the first weightlifting team in the state of Oregon.
On the right is Al Tauscher, Carr's friend and training partner. Both strongmen were regularly featured in early issues of Strength Magazine. This picture was taken around 1916.
Labels: Al Tauscher, Globe Barbell, Kettlebell, kettlebell handles, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Owen Carr, Stage Barbell
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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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Saturday, January 10, 2009
Emil Bregulla - The Terrible Pole"Emil Bregulla was a famous wrestler who took on all comers from coast to coast as he traveled with sideshows and carnivals. He had another challenge as well: Bregulla also demonstrated his prowess, which was considerable, with the large kettlebell at his feet.
Labels: Carnival Strongman, Challenge Weight, Emil Bregulla, Kettlebell, sideshow, The Terrible Pole, Wrestler
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Friday, December 19, 2008
 Sig Klein at 57 years of Age | "I have always found the kettlebell to be one of the most useful and fascinating pieces of weight training apparatus. It can be handled in so many diverse manners that its application in the field of body-building exercises is almost without limit. You will have to hunt for a long time to find a more versatile piece of training equipment." - Sig Klein |
Labels: Bodybuilding, Kettlebell, kettlebell training, Sig Klein
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Monday, December 15, 2008
Yuri Vlasov - Russian KettlebellsAs young trainees, many Russian weightlifters were introduced to physical training in the form of Kettlebells. Many of them maintained this practice even in later years as they became great champions. Among them is the great Soviet lifter Yuri Vlasov, who was a Gold Medal winner at the 1960 Rome Olympics, a four-time Senior World Champion (1959, 1961-1963) and Six-time Consecutive Senior European Champion (1959-1964). Vlasov set 34 World records over his career. You may not be able to make it out but the kettlebell at his feet is marked "32" i.e. 32 kilograms or just over 70 pounds.
Labels: 1960 Olympics, Kettlebell, Olympic Weightlifting, Russian Kettlebells, Russian Weightlifter, Yuri Vlasov
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Friday, December 12, 2008
| Sig Klein inherited much of his great equipment when he married Professor Attila's daughter and took over his gym in New York. Of course, Sig had pretty good taste in equipment anyway often having custom-made barbells, dumbbells and kettlebells made. |  Sig Klein |
Labels: Globe Barbell, Kettlebell, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Professor Attila, Sig Klein
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Thursday, May 01, 2008
The Young ApolloThe Young Apollo -- A.K.A. Paul Anderson (yes, really) from Australia performed many unusual feats during his colorful career. He was fond of the Human Link Feat, letting a car run over him and pulling railroad cars with his teeth.
Here's The Young Apollo supporting 540 Pounds in pretty much every imaginable way.
Labels: Australian Strongman, Car, Globe Barbell, Human Link, Kettlebell, Ring Weights, Teeth Lifting, The Young Apollo
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Friday, April 25, 2008
 George Jowett And The Bent Press | The great oldtime strongman and strength author George Jowett as he prepares to bent press a heavy globe barbell. Jowett was a master of many different strength feats, most notably, lifting a 168-pound anvil by the horn and other feats of grip strength Jowett's best bent press performance was 304-1/2 pounds. Note the great Milo Kettlebells in the background. |
Labels: Bent Press, George Jowett, Globe Barbell, Kettlebell, Oldtime Strongman Exercise, Oldtime Strongman Exercises, Oldtime Strongman Feat, Strongman Equipment, Supporting Feat
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Thursday, April 10, 2008
| The era of Strongmanism, several generations ago, used to feature many strongman stunts that baffled and amazed the public. Here's a rare shot of one of the feats performed by Sig Klein and his stage partner Jack Bier. Here Sig holds a Neck Bridge while holding a globe barbell at arm's length as his partner stands on his chest. -- that's several hundred exta pounds supported by Sig Klein's neck alone. Having accomplished a similar feat, I can say this is NOT easy! |  Sig Klein's Neck Bridge Feat |
Labels: Feat, Globe Barbell, Jack Bier, Kettlebell, Neck Bridge, Oldtime Strongman Feat, Sig Klein, Strongmanism, Supporting Feat
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Monday, February 18, 2008
| How did the oldtimers train with Kettlebells? The answer might surprise you. In his book The Textbook of Weightlifting, Arthur Saxon lists a few of the different exercises he used: the crucifix, one arm press, and several grip and forearm exercises. Of course, kettlebells also worked pretty well for Combination feats just like this one. (I think that's Kurt Saxon being pressed overhead.) |  Arthur Saxon |
Labels: Arthur Saxon, Crucifix, Feat, Human Lift, Kettlebell, Kettlebell Feat, Kurt Saxon, Muscle Out, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Overhead Support, Supporting Feat, The Textbook of Weightlifting
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Wednesday, February 06, 2008
1938 Mr. America Bert Goodrich With Strongman Stage Weights
One of the great things about the history of strength training is that many of the early strength athletes had their own personal training equipment made up which lent quite a bit of character to their training.
Here is a very rare picture of 1938 Mr. America Bert Goodrich with some very interesting oldtime equipment, a globe barbell and kettlebell.
Labels: AAU, Bert Goodrich, Globe Barbell, Kettlebell, Mr. America, Strongman Equipment, Vintage Strength Equipment
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Monday, January 07, 2008
Milo Triplex KettlebellsMany people think kettlebells are uniquely Russian, but while they certainly have a long history in Russia, kettlebells also have a long tradition in America as well.
In 1902, Alan Calvert established the Milo Barbell Company and kettlebells were among his first products.
He went through several different designs, the patent shown above is for the Milo "Triplex" Kettlebell which was patented in 1919.
The Milo Triplex shown did not have a shot-loaded compartment but instead had globed plate "slices" inside the outer shell.
The rotating handle should also be noted.
Labels: Alan Calvert, Kettlebell, Milo Barbell Company, Milo Triplex Kettlebell, Strongman Equipment
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Monday, December 10, 2007
| The "Muscle Out" is an oldtime lift where a heavy weight is held at arms length to the front or to the side. Doing 50-60 pounds is impressive; many of the oldtime strongmen worked their way up to holding 80-90 pounds in this manner. Kettlebells were often used for this lift, as were 56 pound ring weights, as demonstrated on the right by a young Thomas Inch. |  Thomas Inch |
Labels: Heavy Weight, Kettlebell, Kettlebell Exercises, Oldtime Lift, Oldtime Strongman Feat, Ring Weights, Thomas Inch
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Friday, December 07, 2007
| The undisputed King of the "2 Hands Anyhow" Lift was Arthur Saxon. First he bent-pressed a 336 pound barbell with his right arm, then he reached down and lifted a 112 pound Kettlebell in the other. The total poundage was 448 pounds lifted overhead - a feat that will never be broken in this style. |  Arthur Saxon's 2-HandsAnyhow Lift |
Labels: Arthur Saxon, Barbell, Bent Press, Kettlebell, Strongman Feat
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Tuesday, November 27, 2007
 Sig Klein | It was through Sig Klein's Kettlebell course that I first learned how to train with kettlebells -- and that was over a decade and a half ago -- a long time before "kettlebell" became a household word. I think Sig had the right idea -- he was very proficient in a number of different strength "disciplines" - weight lifting, kettlebell lifting, gymnastics, hand balancing, and all along with an incredible physique to match his great strength. |
Labels: Gymnastics, Hand Balancing, Kettlebell, kettlebell lifting, Sig Klein, weightlifting
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Tuesday, November 20, 2007
| You have to admit, classic globe kettlebells like this one make great pictures. Here's famous strongman Anton Matysek lifting a rather large Milo Kettlebell. Interestingly enough, the "traditional" kettlebell exercises such as snatches and clean & Jerks, are often nowhere to be found in most oldtime strongman training literature. |  Anton Matysek Lifting a Classic Kettlebell |
Labels: Anton Matysek, Kettlebell, Kettlebell Exercises, Press, Strongman Equipment
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Friday, November 16, 2007
| One amazing strength feat is tough enough already but two at once is simply outta this world. If you need a challenge, try one-arm pressing a "human weight" while muscling out a heavy kettlebell just like the gent on the right. One of the kings of Combo strength feats is Pat Povilaitis. In his dvd 336 Pounds of Fury you can see Pat lift a heavy granite stone into his lap and then close heavy grippers and bend spikes and horseshoes. -- Wow! |  Strongman Combo Feats |
Labels: Human Lift, Kettlebell, Muscle Out, Overhead Press, Pat Povilaitis, Strongman Feat, Supporting Feat
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Monday, October 22, 2007
Circus Strongman George Levasseur's Classic Stage WeightsGeorge Levasseur was the "Strongman" at the Ringling Brothers Circus during the early part of the 20th century. He was famous for his Backlifting ability but he performed all manner of classical strongman feats, including lifting several unusual "stage" weights as pictured here: Globe barbells, dumbbells and kettlebells.
Notice the Thick Handles on the globe barbells.
Labels: Backlift, Barbell, Circus, Dumbbell, George Levasseur, Kettlebell, Oldtime Strongman, Strongman Equipment, Thick Bar
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Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The Ring Weight is a relative of the Kettlebell and was very popular in the training and performance of many of the Oldtime Strongmen.
You'll often see them sitting in the foreground of pictures of Oldtime Gyms.
The Ring Weight shown below belonged to The Young Mighty Apollon aka J.C. Tolson.
You'll often see them sitting in the foreground of pictures of Oldtime Gyms.
The Ring Weight shown below belonged to The Young Mighty Apollon aka J.C. Tolson.
 The Young Mighty Apollon's Challenge Ring Weight | His challenge was to lift it overhead using nothing but your little finger... a tremendous feat of tendon strength. Thousands of well-known athletes tried and failed, save "The Young Mighty Apollon" who could perform the feat with inhuman ease.
|
Labels: Grip Strength, J.C. Tolson, Kettlebell, Ring Weights, Single Finger Lifts, Strongman Equipment, Strongman Feat, Tendon Strength, Young Apollon
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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
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Thursday, August 30, 2007
Thomas Inch and Hints on The Art of Expander PullingJust got a very rare oldtime strength booklet written by Thomas Inch. There's no date on it but I would guess it was printed in the 1920's and as far as rare training courses, this one is simply impossible to find.
I finally tracked one down after four years of searching.
Anyhow, Thomas Inch, who is probably most famous for his incredible grip strength and his "unliftable" dumbbell was actually a very well rounded strongmen who excelled in many different types of feats - and some of his favorites were with chest expanders.
In his strongman act he used to do a standard press out with a 56 lb. kettlebell hanging on each thumb, and the expander generally had 30 strands on it.
Not bad at all...
Heres a few hints from the master:
"The first thing to do is to make sure your expander is of the detachable kind."All good info, and all very useful if you happen to be paying attention.
"The Secret to great strength is gradual progression, and as there is no doubt whatever that a large majority of physical culturists only use expanders so that they may become stronger than their fellows, it behoves them to practice themselves in a position to practice on the right lines and this means using handles which will take several strands."
"When starting out, enter the number of strands you find comfortable and easy to exercise with, going right through your movements without a pause, if possible, thus developing endurance as well as mere muscle."
"Start with, say, only five or six repetitions each hand of each exercise, and gradually work up to ten each hand. Keep at ten for a week or two, then return to five or six repetitions, and add another strand."
"The weight lifter will be advised to use a strong pull in every day work, and each day, or every other day, try himself out on strength tests I have previously quoted with a view to increasing pushing power for different lifts."
Just goes to show you that sound training info never gets old. Chest Expanders, of course, make a great addition to any training program.
If Thomas Inch were alive today, here's the expanders he would be training with: Strongman Chest Expanders
Labels: Chest Expander, Kettlebell, Strand Pulling, Strongman, Strongman Equipment, Strongman Feat, Thomas Inch
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Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Clevio Massimo with a Classic KettlebellDoing snatches and clean & jerks with a kettlebell is actually a pretty common thing these days although you rarely saw many oldtime strongmen doing them... they mainly used kettlebells for overhead pressing.
Here Clevio Massimo strikes a classic pose with a classic kettlebell.
Labels: Clevio Massimo, Kettlebell, Overhead Press, Strongman Equipment
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Wednesday, August 15, 2007
| Here's a look at one of the unique exercises that can be done with the Block Weights that I mentioned in an earler Blog Post. Two blockweights are placed together handle-to-handle and then lifted, making a challenge for grip strength as well as full body strength to keep the two halves from splitting while in motion. This setup is a challenge to simply deadlift but to be a real "Strong Man" you need to be able to get the weights above your head. This lifter is shown bent-pressing a pair of blockweights. |  |
Labels: Blockweights, Kettlebell, Strongman Equipment, 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
Monday, August 06, 2007
Charles Phelan - The Brooklyn Strongboy
Charles Phelan was the American Professional Lightweight Champion and also performed a strongman act for many years at Coney Island. Notice the unusually large kettlebell and the thick handle on the Globe Dumbbell. I believe Charles Phelan was a friend of Vic Boff.
Labels: Charles Phelan, Globe Barbell, Kettlebell, 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
Monday, July 09, 2007
| Bert Elliot was a bodybuilding champ in the 1950's and 60's who had an interest in real oldtime strength training. He even shaved his head and dressed like a turn of the century strongman to complete the effect. Here he is standing in front of some pieces of his famous collection of oldtime equipment: globe barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells and indian clubs. (Notice the very old Hand Grippers on the wall.) Wonder were his stuff is now? |  |
Labels: Bert Elliott, Globe Barbell, Hand Gripper, Kettlebell, Strongman, 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
Thursday, June 21, 2007
| While kettlebells do certainly have a history in Russia and many other Eastern European countries, what many people don't realize is that kettlebells also have a long tradition in the United States as well. Back in 1902, Alan Calvert founded the Milo Barbell Company -- the very first commercial strength equipment company in America. Along with barbells and dumbbells, Calvert also manufactured kettlebells, one version of which is shown on the right. The Milo Kettlebell consisted of an outer "shell," with the inner plates sectioned to allow for easy progression. |   |
Labels: Alan Calvert, Kettlebell, Milo Barbell Company, Strongman Equipment
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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