Tuesday, January 12, 2010
George EifermanGeorge Eiferman, '48 Mr. America and '62 Mr. Universe is shown here in his natural environment: the sands of Muscle Beach, Santa Monica, California. Needless to say he was famous for his chest development.
Labels: 1948 Mr. America, 1962 Mr. Universe, George Eiferman, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Muscle Beach
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Mr. America '68, Jim HaislopJim Haislop, the popular bodybuilder from Tampa, Florida, shows the foundation of his development: squats. Haislop had quite a career, winning Mr. Florida in 1965, Mr. North America in 1966, Mr. Northern States and Mr. USA in 1967, Mr. America and Junior Mr. America in 1968 and took first in his class at the 1969 NABBA Mr. Universe.
Labels: 1940 Mr. America Contest, 1968 Mr. America, AAU, Bodybuilding, Jim Haislop, Mr. America, Mr. Florida, Mr. North America, Mr. Northern States, Mr. Universe, Mr. USA, NABBA, Squat
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Monday, August 17, 2009
Young Steve StankoSteve Stanko is shown here snatching 260 pounds on his way to winning the 1938 Junior Nationals in Cleveland, Ohio. Just 20 years old at the time, it was clear that big things were in store for Steve Stanko... Five years later he became the first man to break the 1000-pound barrier in the three Olympic Lifts, eight years later he became Mr. America and eleven years later, the first Mr. Universe.
John Davis looks on from the right. Just 17 years old Davis had just won the light-heavyweight class with an 810 lb total, showing more than a little promise himself...
Labels: 1000 Pound Barrier, 1944 Mr. America, 1947 Mr. Universe, John Davis, Junior Nationals, Mr. Universe, Olympic Weightlifting, Snatch, Steve Stanko
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Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Steve Reeves - THE Classic PhysiqueIt's not hard to see why Steve Reeves was known as THE Classic Physique - just take a look. During his career Reeves won the 1947 AAU Mr. America , Mr. Pacific Coast and Mr. Western American Contests, the 1948 Mr. World contest, and the 1950 NABBA Mr. Universe contest.
Labels: 1947 Mr. America, AAU, Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Mr. America, Mr. Pacific Coast, Mr. Universe, Mr. Western American, Steve Reeves
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Monday, June 01, 2009
Elmo SantiagoElmo Santiago on the cover of the July, 1959 issue of Ironman Magazine. He won the AAU Junior Mr. America contest that year.
The popular (and quite prolific) New York bodybuilder also won the AAU Mr. New York Metropolitan contest in 1953, Mr. New York City in 1954, Mr. Eastern America in 1958, Mr. North America in 1960, and the 1965 NABBA Mr. Universe title.
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Cover, Elmo Santiago, Iron Man Magazine, Jr. Mr. America, Mr. New York City, Mr. New York Metropolitan, Mr. Universe, NABBA
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Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Clash of the Titans: Grimek vs. StankoWhat would happen if two of the greatest strength athletes in history went head to head? Whether bodybuilding, olympic lifting or unusual feats of strength, I would say the matchup between John Grimek and Steve Stanko is pretty evenly matched. Only history knows the outcome of this armwrestling match...
Labels: Arm Wrestling, John Grimek, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Steve Stanko
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Sunday, March 08, 2009
Reg Park: Chest Expander TrainingThree time Mr. Universe winner and bodybuilding legend Reg Park was a big fan of chest expanders. He included them in his workouts frequently and even created and sold his own brand, which are shown above.
Labels: Bodybuilding, Chest Expanders, Mr. Universe, Reg Park, Reg Park Workout, Training Equipment
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Indian Strongman Monotosh RoyMonotosh Roy was a highly respected strongman, bodybuilder and physical culture practicioner in his native India. He was famed for his tremendous muscularity and won his class in the 1951 Mr. Universe Contest. As a strongman, he was particularly good at traditional strength feats such as bending steel.
Labels: Bodybuilder, Indian Strongman, Monotosh Roy, Mr. Universe, Steel Bending
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Friday, February 13, 2009
A Meeting of The LegendsWhen you trained at York Barbell, you never knew who might stop by for a visit. On this particular day, 2x Gold Medal Winner and 4x Mr. Universe winner Tommy Kono, Mr. America, Mr. Universe and first man to crack the 1000 pound barrier Steve Stanko, "Mr. Weightlifting" Norb Schemansky and The Mighty Atom, Joe Greenstein got together for a session. That's a lot of history in one place at one time!
Labels: 1940 Mr. America Contest, Mr. Universe, Mr. Weightlifting, Norb Schemansky, Steve Stanko, The MIghty Atom, Tommy Kono, York Barbell Club
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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
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Mr. America 1962 Joe AbbendaJoe Abbenda from Long Island, New York was a very popular and successful bodybuilder during the late 50s and early 60's.
He began his bodybuilding career by winning the Teenage Mr. America title in 1959. The next year he finished fifth in the AAU Mr. America contest, followed that up with second place finish in 1961 and finally won the title in 1962. Abbenda also won the NABBA Amateur Mr. Universe that same year and the Pro Mr. Universe in 1963.
Labels: 1962 Mr. America Contest, AAU, Bodybuilding Contest, Classic Bodybuilder, Joe Abbenda, Mr. America Contest, Mr. Universe, NABBA
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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, January 04, 2009
| Results: 1. Steve Stanko 2. John Farbotnik 3. Eric Pedersen 4. George Eiferman 4. René Leger - Jules Bacon - Keevil Daly - Joe Lauriano - Juhani Vellamo |  Steve Stanko was the winner of the 1947 Mr. Universe Contest (The first ever held) |
Labels: Bodybuilder, Bodybuilding Contest, Bodybuilding Magazine, Cover, George Eiferman, John Farbotnik, Jules Bacon, Mr. Universe, Steve Stanko, Strength and Health Magazine
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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
September, 1944 Strength and Health Magazine: Steve StankoThe great Steve Stanko on the cover of the September, 1944 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. Steve was equal parts champion weightlifter (1st man to break the 1000 pound barrier in the 3 Olympic lifts) and bodybuilder (1944 AAU Mr. America and first Mr. Universe ever in 1947. Steve Stanko is featured prominantly in Brooks Kubik's new book Legacy of Iron.
Labels: 1000 Pound Barrier, 1944 Mr. America, Bodybuilding, Cover, Legacy of Iron, Mr. Universe, Steve Stanko, Strength and Health Magazine
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Friday, December 12, 2008
Mickey HargitayOne bodybuilder who "made good" was Mickey Hargitay, who married the famous blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield in 1958. Hargitay rose through the ranks in the AAU Mr. America contests in the early fifties before winning the NABBA Mr. Universe title in 1955. He trained at Bob Higgins' Gym in Indianapolis, Indiana and in York, PA on occasion. Hargitay appeared on the cover of a number of strength magazines throughout his career.
Labels: Bob Higgins, Bodybuilder, Higgins Gym, Indianapolis, Jayne Mansfield, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, NABBA
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Monday, February 18, 2008
| George Eiferman was the 1948 AAU Mr. America and 1962 IFBB Mr. Universe winner and was particularly well-known for his chest development. On of the ways in which he built such a deep and impressive chest was regular trumpet playing. Eiferman used to like to show off a bit too and was fond of playing the "Hawaiian War Chant" on his trumpet with one hand while holding a loaded barbell overhead with the other. -- Talk about core strength. He regularly performed this feat at Muscle Beach. |  George Eiferman |
Labels: AAU, Breathing Exercises, Chest Development, Feat, George Eiferman, IFBB, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Muscle Beach
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Friday, February 01, 2008
| Originally from Hazard, Kentucky, Ron Lacy was the winner of the 1957 AAU Mr. America Contest. He also won the 1955 Mr. Kentucky Contest and finished first in the medium class in the NABBA Mr. Universe contest. Ron was also well known for his leg development and once squatted 300 pounds for 50 consecutive reps. |  Mr. America 1957 Ron Lacy |
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Golden Age Bodybuilder, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, NABBA, Ron Lacy, Squat Workout
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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
Saturday, January 05, 2008
| You can see why they say Steve Reeves has the classic physique -- he looked like a Greek statue brought to life. He was also one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time, winning almost every contest he entered including the 1947 AAU Mr. America title. Reeves trained at the York Barbell Club in York, PA for the 1950 NABBA Mr. Universe contest (which he won.) While there, John Grimek, watched him train, and later wrote an article about what he saw in the November, 1964 issue of Muscular Development Magazine. |  Steve Reeves |
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Exercises, John Grimek, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Muscular Development, NABBA, Steve Reeves, Workout
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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
Saturday, December 08, 2007
 - George Eiferman - Chest Development | Back in the old days, "chest development" meant chest and ribcage expansion. Here's a look at George Eiferman, a classic bodybuilder, who was famous for his chest development, on the cover of the February, 1948 Strength and Health Magazine. Eiferman won the AAU Mr. America, AAU Mr. California and IFBB Mr. Universe titles. In this picture Eiferman weighed around 190 pounds. You can tell that ribcage and chest expansion contributes greatly to the "look" of strength and power. |
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Chest Development, Chest Expansion, Cover, George Eiferman, IFBB, Mr. America, Mr. California, Mr. Universe, Ribcage Expansion, Strength and Health
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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, December 03, 2007
Reg Park - Lat SpreadAnother classic shot of Reg Park. Is is any surprise that he won the Mr. Universe Contest three times? (1951, 1958, 1965)
In his training course "Strength & Bulk Training for Weight Lifters and Bodybuilders" he recommends bent-over rowing, power cleans and pullups for developing the back muscles. By the looks of this lat spread, I'd certainly say he knows what he's talking about.
Labels: Bent Over Rowing, Bodybuilding, Lat Spread, Mr. Universe, Power Cleans, Pullups, Reg Park
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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 11, 2007
| Dave Draper is one of the best known "Golden Age" Bodybuilders from the California Bodybuilding Scene in the 1960's and 1970's. Known as "The Blonde Bomber", he sure would not look out of place on the beaches of Santa Cruz (even though he was originally from New Jersey.) Here's a look at his winning contest history: |  Dave Draper |
Labels: Bodybuilding, Dave Draper, Golden Age Bodybuilder, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Mr. World
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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, October 29, 2007
On April 19, 1941 Steve Stanko made history as he the first man to break the mythic 1000-pound total in an official weightlifting contest.
Through his specialized upper-body training program he was able to build himself into a bodybuilding champion, winning the 1944 AAU Mr. America and Junior Mr. America, the 1945 Most Muscular Man in America and the 1947 Mr. Universe.
| Unfortunately Stanko also suffered from painful blood clots in his legs and five weeks later found himself in the hospital. By mid-1942 he regained enough health to begin light upper-body training again. He was told to stay off his legs and could only train while sitting or lying on a bench. |  Steve Stanko |
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Olympic Weightlifting, Steve Stanko
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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, October 15, 2007
Tommy Kono and Classic Globe BarbellTommy Kono was one of the United States' greatest Olympic weightlifters and overall strength athletes.
He not only won two Gold Medals and a Silver over the course of three Olympic games, he also won the Mr. Universe title in Bodybuilding several times.
I'll cover that in more detail on another occasion.
Check out this classic shot from the early 1950's where Tommy Kono narrowly misses completing a jerk with this huge 374 pound globe barbell at Robert Cayeaux's gym in Lille, France. -- Kono had the barbell at arm's length but couldn't quite hold it.
(N.B. This was the same gym where Norb Schemansky lifted the famous Apollon Wheels in 1954.)
...I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear that Charles Rigoulot lifted with the very same globe barbell. - Rigoulot favored globe barbells long after they went out of style.
Labels: Bodybuilding, Charles Rigoulot, Classic Strongman Gyms, Globe Barbell, Gold Medal, Mr. Universe, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympics, Tommy Kono
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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
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Reg ParkWhereas Steve Reeves was known for his classic symmetry, Reg Park was the example of strength, size and power. Reg Appeared on more magazine covers than any bodybuilder in history.
| Over the course of his career he won the following titles: |  Reg Park |
Reg Park was as strong as he looked, here's his best lifts (all performed in the 1950's):
- Behind the Neck Press - 300 Lbs. For one rep.Reg also played Hercules in several movies and once owned the Thomas Inch Dumbbell.
- Behind the Neck Press - 260 Lbs. For four reps.
- Behind the Neck Press - 240 Lbs. For eight reps.
- One Arm Dumbbell Press - 165 Lbs. For two reps.
- Front Squat - 405 for a single.
- Lying Triceps Extension - 300 Lbs. For three reps. This was done at Muscle Beach in 1957.
- Standing Dumbbell Press - Two 120 Lb. Dumbbells for five reps.
- Standing Dumbbell Press - Two 140 Lb. Dumbbells for one rep.
- Dumbbell Bench Press - Two 185 Lb. Dumbbells for five reps.
- Squat - 605 for two reps at Buster McShane and Ivan Dunbar's Gym in Belfast.
- Strict Barbell Curl - 200 Lbs. For one rep.
- Incline Dumbbell Press - Two 185 Lb. Dumbbells for five reps.
Labels: Behind The Neck Press, Bodybuilding, British Champion, Buster McShane, Curl, Dumbbell Press, Hercules, Mr. Britain, Mr. Europe, Mr. Universe, Reg Park, Reg Park Workout, Squat
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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
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