Kurt Saxon

Kurt Saxon

of the Saxon trio, it was often Arthur who got most of the spotlight, but the other brothers were also quite strong. Here's a shot of Kurt Saxon, at 50 years old, supporting nearly half a ton of classic barbells and other weights.

The largest Barbell weighs 330 pounds and the kettlebells on his feet weight 88 pounds apeice, the barbell on his abdomen weighs 200 pounds, the barbell he is holding weighs 100 pounds and another 88-pound kettlebell on each hand.

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The 2-Kettlebell Deadlift

What weighs more than one kettlebell? - Two kettlebells! (How's that for logic?) In many cases the Oldtimers didn't have an easy method to add weight to their equipment -- so they made due with what they could. Hence, why you will sometimes see them holding two dumbbells or two kettlebells in one hand which also added a level of difficulty to their exercises as they trained.

The 2-Kettlebell Deadlift

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Kettlebell Handles

Kettlebell Handles

One of the the unique pieces of training equipment that you don't see often these days are ketlebell handles. These were U-shaped handles that could be retrofitted onto dumbbells creating a much more versatile piece of equipment. Kettlebell handles are particularly useful for shoulder specialization work.

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The Brothers Marx - Performing Strongmen

The Brothers Marx
John 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.

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Ancient Russian Kettlebells

Ancient Russian Kettlebells
Kettlebells go back pretty far... but not as far as people think...

Before kettlebells were ever used as weight training tools they were simply used as handled weights to sit on a scale to weigh out dry goods. These kettlebells are direct from "Mother Russia" and are well over 150 years old. -- Note the Imperial seal.

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Kettlebell Lifting With Arthur Saxon

Like many of the turn-of-the-century strongmen, Arthur Saxon trained with kettlebells and they are featured very prominantly in some of the books he has written. Here's a few of the kettlebell exercises he recommends: One-Arm Press Hold Out or Muscle Out French Press "Thumb" Press

Kettlebell Lifting With Arthur Saxon

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Lifting Classic Kettlebells

This isn't a classic lift, it's called goofing around -- and I highly recommend it, at least once in a while. Part of the fun of training is figuring out what you can do in your workout, and what better to make it interesting than with unusual equipment? These are some modern shot-loaded kettlebells done in the "old" style. Notice the "squared" handles with the kettlbells on my right arm.

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A Look Inside Hermann Goerner's Oldtime Gym

A Look Inside Hermann Goerner's Oldtime Gym
If you're a true strength fan, you can't help but love shots of classic gyms filled with classic equipment. Here's a look at one corner of Hermann Goerner's classic gym. Notice the Globe Barbells, thick-handled equipment, row of kettlebells likely used for the "Die Kette" workout.

Also notice the throwing weights attached to the wall and the Arthur Saxon circus poster on the upper left.

That must have been one hell of a fun place to train...

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The Kettlebell Handle

The Kettlebell Handle

Kettlebells have taken many forms throughout the years. From the classic Globed MILO Kettlebells... to the Blockweights that were so common in many Oldtime Strongman acts of decades past... and to the many other unique forms which will be featured at a later date. One type of kettlebell that you don't often see mentioned much is the plate-loaded kettlebell handle, which has a very long history by itself. Of course, this type of kettlebell was used a bit differently in terms of training than what is often recommended these days.

The Kettlebell Handles show above were manufactured by the MILO Barbell Company in the late 1920s.

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The MILO Barbell Company Showroom

The MILO Barbell Showroom
Alan Calvert established the MILO Barbell company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the turn of the century. It was the very first source for barbells and heavy dumbbells in the United States.

Located at 1116 Olive Street, the MILO Barbell showroom must have been quite a sight to see with its grand selection of globed barbells, dumbbells and kettlebells.

Unfortunately the MILO Barbell Company is long gone but we do have a number of Alan Calvert's training materials left to instruct future generations:

The Milo Barbell Courses

The Truth About Weight Lifting

Super Strength

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Kettlebell Contest Medal

Speaking of kettlebells, I'm not sure if this is a medal for a kettlebell contest or something having to do with the 1980 Moscow Olympics (As indicated by the familiar Olympic Rings in the upper right) -- either way, this is a pretty cool medal showing a kettlebell lifter.

Kettlebells have always been very popular in Russia and other easter bloc countries.

In competetive contests the lifts are the 'Two Kettlebell Jerk' and 'One Kettlebell Snatch'; performed in that order for ten minutes each. The competitor with the highest overall score wins.

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Steve Reeves

Steve Reeves
The Man:

Steve Reeves is known as THE classic physique of all time. His Herculean good looks led to a number of movie roles and dozens of magazine covers. Steve Reeves won the following bodybuilding titles over his career:

1946 - Mr. Pacific Coast
1947 - Mr. Western America
1947 - Mr. America
1948 - Mr. World
1950 - Mr. Universe

The Exercise:

A full lateral raise with a pair of MILO kettlebells... a highly underrated movement for shoulder development made that much more enjoyable with classic iron. The rotating handles of the MILO kettlebells allow for certain exercises that are difficult to do with cast-iron kettlebells. (As a side note, Steve Reeves was well known for his broad shoulders which were measured by Armand Tanny at an unbelievable 23-1/2 inches.)

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Oldtime Strongman Blockweights

Someday I may get around to putting together the Secret history of Kettlebells -- there's more to it than what most people would have you believe. Here's something that will make a good chapter: blockweights. These were an offshoot of the kettlebell "handled-weight" concept and used for many of the same exercises, at least in Strongman Lore (which is an important distinction.) The real function for blockweights is to provide ballast (i.e. just "weight") to hold down the scenery/props etc backstage in the theatre. My theory is that many oldtime strongmen noticed these unusual weights during their performances in various places and thought they would make an interesting impliment to train/lift with. The top ad is for a blockweight sold by the Milo Barbell Company circa 1926. The bottom two are vintage blockweights, weighing 50 and 30 pounds respectively.

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Hermann Goerner's Gym

German Strongman Hermann Goerner Here's a peek into the training area of one of the greatest of the oldtime strongmen: Hermann Goerner. Notice the rack of kettlebells which were likely used for the famous "Die Kette" workout.

Goerner's Gym

Doesn't this place make you feel like training? Here's some more Classic Strongman Gyms

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