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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Monday, December 07, 2009
Krajewski's GymHere's a unique opportunity to take a look at Dr. Vladislav Von Krajewski's Gym in St. Petersburg, Russia, circa 1901. This is the place where an untold number of strength champions trained, most notably George Hackenschmidt. I know that I could sure get strong in a place like this.
Labels: Classic Gym, Dr. von Krajewski, George Hackenschmidt, Gymnastic Rings, Kettlebells
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Kettlebell JugglingThe Germans were particularly fond of juggling their kettlebells, even going so far as to organize team sports and competitions around doing so. A group of athletes tossing kettlebells back and forth to each other is actually quite a sight indeed.
Labels: German Kettlebells, Kettlebell Juggling, kettlebell training, Kettlebells
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Monday, August 17, 2009
Sig Klein's GymSig Klein opened his gym in 1926 and ran it -- without a day off -- for the next 50 years. It's not hard to see why it was the place to train in the east coast. Here's some classic Kettlebells, Ring Weights and Globe Barbells. Sig luckily inherited much of the equipment when he married Professor Attila's daughter.
Labels: Antique Equipment, Classic Gym, Classic Kettlebells, Kettlebells, Ring Weights, Sig Klein, Sig Klein's Gym
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Farmer's WalkGrab a pair of dumbbells, some sandbags, some kettlebells or some Iron Suitcases like former New York Giant (and Dr. Ken trainee) Frank Ferarra above and go for a stroll. That's all there is to "The Farmer's Walk" exercise, and you would be hard pressed to find a better exercise for building grip strength and mental toughness. The Farmer's Walk is one of Brooks Kubik's favorite training methods - and for good reason.
Labels: Dinosaur Training Exercise, Dr. Ken Leistner, Dumbbells, Farmer's Walk, Grip Strength, Iron Suitcase, Kettlebells
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Monday, June 01, 2009
Bert Goodrich, The First Mr. America, Trained With KettlebellsAmong the many strength athletes who have trained with kettlebells is the very first Mr. America Bert Goodrich. Each of these 'bells weighed 56 pounds, and he used them primarily for shoulder work.
Labels: Antique Equipment, Bert Goodrich, Kettlebells, Mr. America
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Saturday, May 23, 2009
A Brief History of Kettlebells... A version of this video can be found elsewhere on the site, however, the one shown here has been re-rendered and also includes 30 seconds of additional footage. You think you know all about kettlebells? Check out this video for some things about kettlebells that I guarantee you have never seen before.
Labels: Ancient Kettlebells, Classic Kettlebells, Clevio Massimo, John Wood, Kettlebell History, kettlebell training, Kettlebells, Shot Loaded Kettlebells, Sig Klein, Video
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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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Friday, May 01, 2009
1901 Weightroom"...In his gymnasium Dr. von Krajewski had a great number and variety of weights, dumb-bells, and other apparatus and appliances for the purpose of training. It was, in short, a fully equipped school of physical culture..."THIS is a rare photo of the place that Hack was talking about and I would say it definitely lives up to the billing. Great equipment leads to great workouts and there is no doubt that would be the kind of setup that would help someone build some serious strength. (This photo is also the inspiration for our Limited Edition Trading card Program)
George Hackenschmidt
The Way to Live
Written in 1908
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Dr. von Krajewski, Eugen Sandow, George Hackenschmidt, Globe Barbell, Kettlebells, The Way to Live
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Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Harry RobinsonHarry Robinson, the secretary of the Australian Weight Lifting Association, gets in a quick bent press workout circa 1929. These particular weights once belonged to the great Scottish Highland Games Champion Donald Dinnie.
Labels: Australian Strongman, Bent Press, Classic Equipment, Classic Kettlebells, Donald Dinnie, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbells, Harry Robinson, Kettlebells, Weight Set
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Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Art LevanBesides being a a great Olympic lifter (10x National Champion in the 126 lb. class) Art Levan was the master of several unusual feats of strengh as well. Here he hangs by his teeth with a 70-pound kettlebell in each hand.
Labels: Art Levan, Jaw Strength, Kettlebells, Olympic lifter
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Monday, April 06, 2009
Chinese Stone Lock ExercisesA look at an original chinese source detailing some of the many exercises which can be done with stone padlocks. They share many similar movements with kettlebells, but, as you can see, there's a lot more to stone lock training than that.
Labels: Ancient Kettlebells, Chinese Stone Lock, Kettlebells, Stone Lock, Stone Lock Exercises, Stone Lock Training
www.oldtimestrongman.com
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Thursday, March 26, 2009
Edgar Muller's GymEdgar Muller's Gym in Leipzig, Germany where Hermann Goerner did most of his training. Note the posters of the Saxon Trio performing their human bridge feat, Goerner in the middle, Pagel's Circus and the incredible selection of kettlebells.
Labels: Circus Poster, Circus Strongman, Classic Strongman Gyms, Edgard Muller, Hermann Goerner, Human Bridge, Kettlebells, Saxon Trio
www.oldtimestrongman.com
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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Chinese Stone LocksKettlebells go back a long way but Chinese Stone Locks predate them by several thousand years. Martial artists in China have been using stone weights like these to develop their bodies for centuries. There are, of course, many 'kettlebell' exercises that can be done with stone locks, but they carry with them their own specific kind of training -- and a specific set of results. Stone locks training is particularly good for grip and forearm work.
Labels: Chinese Stone Lock, Equipment, Grip Equipment, Grip Exercise, Kettlebells, Stone Weight
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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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Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A Congress of Japan's Famous Strong MenHere's a pretty interesting item, a poster from the Barnum and Bailey Circus advertising "A Congress of Japan's Famous Strong Men." Based on the attire, I would expect to see sumo wrestling and/or grappling such as is pictured in the top half of the poster.
The bottom illustrations are intriguing though: Sumo wrestlers engaging in stone lifting, steel scrolling, live animal wrestling, horseshoe bending... and of particular interest is the gent in the bottom right holding a kettlebell in each hand. This poster is from the 1921 Circus season.
Labels: Barnum and Bailey Circus, Circus, Circus Poster, Horseshoe Bending, Japan, Japanese Strongman, Kettlebells, Stone Lifting, Sumo Wrestlers
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Monday, June 23, 2008
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.
Kurt SaxonThe 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.
Labels: Arthur Saxon, Globe Barbell, Kettlebells, Kurt Saxon, Saxon Trio, Supporting Feat
www.oldtimestrongman.com
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
| 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 |
Labels: Exercise, Kettlebell Lift, kettlebell lifting, Kettlebells, Milo Kettlebell, Oldtime Strength Equipment
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Monday, February 18, 2008
 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. |
Labels: Dumbbells, kettlebell handles, Kettlebells, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Shoulder Exercise
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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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Thursday, December 06, 2007
Ancient Russian KettlebellsKettlebells 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.
Labels: Ancient Kettlebells, Kettlebells, Mother Russia, Russian Kettlebells, Training 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, November 18, 2007
| 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:
|  Kettlebell Lifting With Arthur Saxon |
Labels: Arthur Saxon, Kettlebell Exercises, Kettlebell Workout, Kettlebells, Press
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Tuesday, October 09, 2007
 | 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. |
Labels: John Wood, Kettlebell Workout, Kettlebells, 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
Saturday, October 06, 2007
A Look Inside Hermann Goerner's Oldtime GymIf 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...
Labels: Arthur Saxon, Classic Strongman Gyms, Globe Barbell, Hermann Goerner, Kettlebells, Oldtime Strongman, Strongman Equipment, Throwing Weights
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
Monday, October 01, 2007
 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. |
Labels: Blockweights, Equipment, kettlebell handles, Kettlebells, Milo Barbell Company, Milo Kettlebell
www.oldtimestrongman.com
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Monday, August 20, 2007
The MILO Barbell ShowroomAlan 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
Labels: Alan Calvert, Dumbbell, Globe Barbell, Kettlebells, Milo Barbell Company
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Tuesday, August 14, 2007
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.
Labels: Kettlebells, Strongman Equipment
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Monday, August 13, 2007
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.)
Labels: Bodybuilding, Kettlebells, Steve Reeves, 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
Sunday, July 29, 2007
| 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 theater. My theory is that many oldtime strongmen noticed these unusual weights during their performances in various places and thought they would make an interesting implement 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. |    |
Labels: Antique Equipment, Blockweights, Classic Equipment, Kettlebells, 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
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
 German StrongmanHermann 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 |
Labels: Chest Expander, Classic Strongman Gyms, Globe Barbell, Hermann Goerner, Kettlebells
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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