Monday, December 21, 2009
Joe Zimmerman and his brother Dick were Bob Hoffman's neighbors in York, Pennsylvania and they hung around the York Barbell Company office doing crazy feats of strength. Here's Joe performing a hand stand on some boxes -- which is tough enough by itself -- but he is also lifting the 202-pound Louis Cyr Dumbbell in his teeth at the same time!
Labels: Bob Hoffman, Feat, Hand Balancing, handstand, Jaw Strength, Joe Zimmerman, Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell, York Barbell Company
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, August 20, 2009
When 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
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, April 16, 2009
You never knew who might pop in for a visit at the York Barbell Company in this case, two of the great masters of the bent-press: Bert Elliott on the left and Al Beinart on the right. They were both in town for the 1963 Senior Nationals.
While at York, they couldn't help but take a crack at bent-pressing the famous Cyr Challenge Dumbbell. Each man was able to bent-press the dumbbell for two reps joining a very exclusive club of strongmen.
Labels: Al Beinart, Bent Press, Bert Elliott, Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell, Senior Nationals, York Barbell Company
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, April 07, 2009
Wally Zagurski was one of the few men who could bent press the famous Louis Cyr Dumbbell, pictured above. He was also a great weightlifter and competed in the 1932 Olympics. The Cyr Bell can still be seen at the York Barbell Hall of Fame.
Labels: 1932 Olympics, Bent Press, Cyr Dumbbell, Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell, Wally Zagurski, York Barbell Hall of Fame
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, 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
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
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.

Joe Zimmerman
John Grimek and Classic Weights
Two Masters of the Bent-Press
Wally Zagurski Lifts The Cyr Dumbbell
John Grimek Bent-Presses the