Tuesday, November 17, 2009
David P. WilloughbyA look at David P. Willoughby on the cover of the January, 1936 issue of Superman Magazine. While he was greatly interested in the world of strength, Willoughby was no armchair expert, being a champion lifter and gym owner himself. He was also an accomplished artist, drawing many of the pen and ink illustrations found in his books and training articles.
Labels: Cover, David Willoughby, Physical Culture, Sledgehammer, Superman Magazine
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Yale GymnasiumAnother fine example of an incredible Gymnasium was the one at Yale University, shown here in a few rare turn-of-the-century photos. This grand gymnasium was located at 55 Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut and was under the direction of Mr. William Gilbert Anderson, a famous physical education teacher and author.
Labels: Gymnasiums, Physical Culture, Physical Education, Physical Education Pioneer, William Gilbert Anderson, Yale Gymnasium
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The North American Gymnastic UnionThe North American Gymnastic Union was the oldest American institution for the education of teachers of physical training. It was originally established in 1866 and had many different homes. It began in New York City, then transferred to Chicago but eventually re-located after the great fire.
This was the quite impressive location in Milwaukee during the late 1800's. Shown here is a rare look at the inside and outside of this fantastic facility. Milwaukee was a hotbed of physical culture activity during that time largely due to the efforts of the Milwaukee Turners, and George Brosius.
Labels: George Brosius, Milwaukee, Physical Culture, Physical Culture Gym, The North American Gymnastic Union, Turnverein
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
Indian Clubs in ChinaI knew that many other cultures regularly trained with Indian Clubs but was not aware that China was one of them, at least until now. Club swinging has always been popular with young students as it is a very good way to stay physically fit as well as build upper body strength before studies begin. A short morning training session will improve the educational process.
Labels: China, Club Swinging, Fitness, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture
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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
1865 GymnasiumA look at a rare engraving of the Myrtle Street Gymnasium in Liverpool, England, circa 1865. Look closely and you will see climbing ropes and ladders, wall pulleys, dumbbell lifting and a variety of other interesting methods of training. It was at this Gymnasium where the first Olympic Festivals were held. These early athletic contests gave rise to the "Modern" Olympic games.
Labels: Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, dumbbell lifting, Gymnasiums, Gymnastic Equipment, Gymnastics, Physical Culture, Physical Culture Gym, Vintage Gymnasiums, Wall Pulleys
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Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friedrich Ludwig JahnThe "Father" of gymnastics is widely regarded as Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, the German Prussian physical culture pioneer. As a commander in the Military, Jahn was shocked at the poor physical condition of the soldiers during the Napoleonic wars of the early 1800's. As a result, Jahn devised a system of exercises and games intended to improve strength and stamina.
This gave rise to the Turnverein Movement or gymnastic societies which sought not only to build military readiness but also national pride through physical training pursuits.
It was Jahn who devised early models of the gymnastic equipment which are commonly today: the balance beam, horizontal bar, the parallel bars and the vaulting horse.
Labels: Balance Beam, Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, Gymnastic Equipment, Gymnastics, Horizontal Bar, Parallel Bars, Physical Culture, Physical Culture Pioneer, Pommel Horse, Turnverein
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Saturday, March 14, 2009
Dr. RouhetDr. Rouhet, the great French physical culture instructor, shows off his ability and his training equipment. His favorite feat was to muscle out a 44-pound French ring weight which he does here while also pressing a huge globe dumbbell. Among the other great oldtime equipment, note the heavy indian club on the left. The picture dates to 1910.
Labels: Dr. Georges Rouhet, Dr. Rouhet, French Strongman, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Heavy Indian Clubs, Muscle Out, Physical Culture, Press
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Friday, March 13, 2009
Gus Hill: Champion Club Swinger of The World" As a means of physical culture, the Indian Clubs stand pre-eminent among the varied apparatus of gymnastics now in use. The evolutions which the clubs are made to perform, in the hands of one accustomed to their use, are exceedingly graceful.
Besides the great recommendation of simplicity, the Indian Club practice possesses the essential property of expanding the chest and exercising every muscle in the body concurrently.
Note in the crowded thoroughfare of Broadway now and then an occasional passer-by, with well-knit and shapely form, firm and elastic step, broad-chested and full blooded, and you may mark him down as an expert with the clubs."
Gus Hill,
Club Swinging Champion
circa 1890
Labels: Club Swinging Champion, Gus Hill, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture, Physical Culture Equipment
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Handstands!You won't see many pictures like this these days. This is a group of six Chicago "Turners" each doing a handstand on a set of parallel bars. Note the sets of Indian clubs, wooden dumbbells and Milo weights on the wall in the background. The picture dates to 1905.
Labels: Classic Gym, Gymnastics, Hand Balancing, handstand, Indian Clubs, Milo Barbell Company, Physical Culture, Physical Culture Equipment, Turnverein, Vintage Gymnasiums, Wooden Dumbbells.
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Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Indian Club Swinging With Calvin CoolidgeWhen you swing Indian Clubs you're in pretty good company. Here's Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States takng a few minutes to swing the clubs around in the 1920's. You have to admire that. Coolidge also liked to ride a mechanical horse (which he had installed at the White House) and pitch hay for exercise. Note the rack of wooden dumbbells and clubs and wall pulley in the backgound.
Also see Hooverball for another excellent example of presidential physical fitness.
Labels: Calvin Coolidge, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture, Wooden Dumbbells.
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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
P. Ivanov - The Man Who Conquered NaturePhysical Culture exists in many forms... Here's some from "Mother Russia" that you probably haven't yet heard of: P. Ivanov was a man who born and raised during the troubled years of revolution and civil war in Russia. He often wondered the reasons for such suffering... and one day an idea entered is mind: an answer to his questions.
Ivanov reasoned that suffering and hardship occured when Man tried to divorce himself from nature with artificial environments. Consequently life and survival became dependent on these conditions often breeding struggle, mistrust, indifference or loneliness among people.
Instead Man should strive to live with nature, instead of in opposition to her...
It was then that Ivanov began his experiment, to free himself of these dependencies by gradually conditioning himself to wear less clothes in freezing climates and to go long periods without food or water.
Eventually he became immune to cold weather and disease. He would most of his days shirtless and barefoot in the unforgiving Russian winter. As he spread his ideas, he was often called "Master of Nature" since he no longer concerned himself with the harsh conditions that became commonplace for most people.
The 12 keys to Ivanov's "Method" are listed below:
1. Twice a day take a cold bath in natural waters so that you feel good. Bathe in whatever you can - lakes, rivers, a bath, take a shower or pour water over yourself. Finish a hot bath with cold water.
2. Before bathing or after it, and if it is possible at the same time, go out in the nature, stand barefooted on the earth or on snow in winter for at least 1-2 minutes. Breathe in the air several times through your mouth and thankfully wish good health for yourself and all the people of the world.
3. Don't drink alcohol or smoke.
4. Once a week, try to go without food and water for one day.
5. At 12 Sunday, walk barefooted outside and breathe in and out several times and think positive thoughts. After that you can eat all that you like.
6. Love the nature surrounding you. Do not spit around you and do not spit anything out of yourself. Get used to it - this is your health.
7. Greet everyone everywhere, especially old people. If you wish to have good health yourself make it a point to greet everybody.
8. Help people whenever you can especially the poor, ill, hurt or needy. Do it with cheer. Respond to his need with soul and heart. You will make a friend in him which will help the cause of peace in the world.
9. Win over the stinginess, laziness, egoism, fear, falseness and pride in yourself. Trust the people and love them. Do not talk unjustly about them and do not take close to your heart the negative thoughts about them.
10. Free your mind of the thoughts about illnesses, disabilities and death. This is the greatest Victory of your life.
11. Do not separate thoughts from action. You have read - good. But the most important thing is to ACT!
12. Talk of and give the experience of this business to others, but do not brag and think too highly about yourself. Be modest.
Labels: Cold Water Bathing, Master of Nature, Mother Russia, P. Ivanov, Physical Culture, Russian
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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, November 12, 2008
Brosius' GymWhat a great gym! - This fantastic facility was established by George Brosius, a pioneer gymnastics coach and famous "Turner" in the Milwaukee area. More on him and his amazing story at a later date. Gotta love the indian clubs, climbing ropes and medicine balls. This pictures dates from the 1920s.
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, George Brosius, Indian Clubs, Medicine Balls, Milwaukee, Physical Culture, Turnverein
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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, November 11, 2008
Dio Lewis was an early physical culture pioneer who was outspoken on the role of temperence, clean living and physical training as a part of education. His system of gymnastics was eventually adopted by schools and laid the groundwork for modern physical education.
Labels: Dio Lewis, Gymnastics, Physical Culture, Physical Culture Pioneer, Physical Education, Physical Education Pioneer, Physical Training
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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, May 28, 2008
| A young Bernarr Macfadden pressing a 100-pound dumbbell overhead and looking very spry after a 7-day fast. Macfadden was one of the first pioneers of the physical culture lifestyle. His views on the benefits of daily exercise, proper diet and clean living were radical at the time (the early 1900s) but are widely accepted today (although,ironically, probably just as seldom practiced.) |  Bernarr Macfadden |
Labels: Bernarr Macfadden, Dumbbell Press, Globe Dumbbell, Physical Culture
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Monday, February 18, 2008
 Hand Balancing Made Easy by E.M. Orlick | Professor E.M. Orlick was an outstanding strongman, physical culturist and gymnast who came from a long line of circus performers. Over the years Orlick wrote hundreds of training articles on a variety of topics and was also the editor or "Mr. America" magazine for a number of years as well as the assistant editor of a Boxing/Wrestling magazine. While he was certainly proficient at a number of strength feats but hand balancing was his forte, and he wrote several training courses on the subject. Orlick's training courses include: "Walking and Jumping on Your Hands," "How To Do The One Hand Handstand" and "Hand Balancing Made Easy." |
Labels: E.M Orlick, Gymnastics, hand balancer, Hand Balancing, Oldtime Strongman, Physical Culture, Professor E.M. Orlick
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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
Friday, February 01, 2008
| In 1934, Walt Baptist and his wife Magana established the first training center of its kind, which combined the disciplines of physical culture, yoga, weight training, meditation, and breathing exercises. Walt and his wife also appeared on the cover of many bodybuilding magazines in the 1940s and 1950's such as Strength and Health and Iron Man Magazine. For a while, he even had his own physical culture magazine, Body Moderne, pictured here. |  Walt Baptiste |
Labels: Body Moderne, Breathing Exercises, Cover, Muscle Control, Muscle Magazine, Physical Culture, Walt Baptiste, Yoga
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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, January 07, 2008
Vic BoffVic Boff's tremendous contributions to the Iron Game stretch far and wide but no doubt his biggest was to endevor to keep the past alive. In 1983, Vic Boff organized a birthday celebration for Sig Klein. This celebration went over so well that it became an annual event which continues to this day.
Thus the Association of Oldetime Barbell and Strongmen (AOBS) was born.
Through the organization, Vic was able to honor those individuals who he felt epitomized and upheld the true spirit of the Iron Game (often times, individuals who received little recognition otherwise.)
Here's Vics message, written in the program each year:
"Over the years, our Fraternity has grown slowly but solid. We have set an example to keep our ideals and philosophy alive...Carry on.
The tenets of Physical Culture and Strongmanism will never die as long as we keep our fire of ideals and enthusiasm alive-circulating with constructive information. To all athletes, young and old, who use drugs or are contemplating their use. Don't let vanity get the best of you.
Study the lives and works of the great men of yesterday. Step into their footsteps and by doing so, bring out the best that is in you, physically, mentally and spiritually."
We sure will Vic...
Labels: AOBS, Iron Game, Oldtime Strongman, Physical Culture, Vic Boff
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, November 19, 2007
The Encyclopedia of Indian Physical CultureIndian Physical Culture has always been a fascinating thing to me. What's puzzling is that even though this tradition goes back thousands of years, there is actually very little written about these ancient training techniques.
For years I had heard of a book written all about it called "The Encyclopedia of Indian Physical Culture" but copies were impossible to find... but one day I had the opportunity to obtain one for a handsome price.
I took that opportunity without a moment's notice and the book was every bit worth the wait -- over 700 pages of material with numerous pictures and detailed diagrams of training techniques that I never even knew existed -- all in English. (No, it's not for sale, don't even ask.)
Labels: Encyclopedia of Indian Physical Culture, Gada, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, Indian Physical Culture, Physical Culture
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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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