Karl Norberg: Plate Muscle-Out

Karl Norberg: Plate Muscle-Out

Lifting an old York deep-dish 45-pound plate by the hub is impressive enough, but this feat is out of this world. At 69 years of age, "The Mighty Norseman" Karl Norberg not only pinched the plate, he lifted it and performed a Muscle-Out with it - a simply incredible feat of strength!

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How did the oldtimers train with Kettlebells?

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

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The Muscle Out

The "Muscle Out" is an oldtime lift where a weight is held at arms length to the front or side of the body. Generally a block weight or ring weight was used. This lift is quite a test of shoulder strength. If you can accomplish this feat with a 56-pound weight, like the French gentleman on the right, you are indeed strong.

The Muscle Out

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Chuck Ahrens

Chuck Ahrens was a giant of a man who was a part of the Muscle Beach Scene of the late 1950's. He trained at Vic Tanny's Gym and there were reports of him performing incredible feats of strength such as overhead presses with 160-pound dumbbells (for reps!), benchpressing 400 pounds for 28 reps, curling 225 with ease and tricep extensions with over 300 pounds. His shoulders were reliably measured at an incredible 26-5/8 inches across. In this famous picture, taken at Muscle Beach in 1957, Chuck Ahrens does a "muscle out" with a 75 pound girl standing on his arm.

Chuck Ahrens

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Strongman Combo Feats

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

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