Wilbur Miller Stalks The Bar

To get the most out of training, there should be a certain attitude of confidence in all you do... Here's Wilbur Miller a few moments before pulling a heavy deadlift. Is there any question at all whether he will make this lift?

Wilbur Miller Stalks The Bar

---

Al Gerard and The Gerard Trap Bar

Al Gerard and The Gerard Trap Bar
Al Gerard was a powerlifter from North Carolina who devised a unique "frame" which allowed him to increase his deadlift without putting undue stress on his back.

He named his invention the "Trap Bar" because of its shape -- using the Trap Bar, Al was able to deadlift over 745 pounds. Soon the Gerard Trap Bar was featured in many strength publications such as Iron Man Magazine, Powerlifting USA and Hardgainer Magazine (above.)

Once people understood its unique advantages, The Gerard Trap Bar became one of the "must have" pieces of training equipment for leg and back development..

Here's a few reasons why:

The knees don't interfere with the bar while the lifter assumes a more upright position when starting a lift.

The weight moves directly upward instead of sideways, placing more emphasis on the target musculature.

The lifter has better control of the bar throughout the full range of motion.

The weight moves in line with the ankles which improves leverage.

Lower back stress is reduced while the weight is moved in line with the natural center of gravity.

Shearing forces on spine and knees are reduced.

The shrug exercise is an integral part of every strength athlete's program. Strong upper back, neck and shoulder muscles are essential in all sports. The Gerard Trap Bar makes "shrugs" more comfortable because there is no bar contact with the upper thighs and lower front torso area; thus, more range of movement yields more muscle use and development.

It's easier to maintain good form -- elbow and wrist-joint strain is reduced by eliminating opposite grips, and standing shrugs yield improved trapezius development because the bar never contacts the thighs interfering with range of motion.

The Gerard Trap Bar moves the weight mass 16% closer to the perpendicular plane of the lower back than a conventional straight bar.

Unlike most of the classic equipment that is featured on this blog, The Gerard Trap Bar is still available, and you can get your own right here: The Gerard Trap Bar - It's Back!

---

Brooks Kubik

Brooks Kubik
If you've read Dinosaur Training, now you can put a face to the name Brooks Kubik.

Brooks walks the walk -- literally!

Here's a shot from a couple of years ago from one of Brooks Kubik's Dinosaur training videos where he is going for a "leisurely stroll" around the block with a pair of Dr. Ken's 180-pound iron suitcases.

Before writing Dinosaur Training, Brooks was a state Champion wrestler in high school and went on to win several National Championships in Drug-Free Powerlifting.

---

Pat Casey 210 Pound Dumbbell Incline Press

Pat Casey Incline Press With 210 Pound Dumbbells
On March 25th, 1967 Pat Casey became the first man to break the 600 pound barrier in the bench press with a lift of 615 --- and that's without a bench shirt, elbow wraps or other nonsense.

Of course, he was no one-lift specialist as he was also the first man to squat over 800 pounds and total over 2000 pounds in an official contest.

For his workouts, he used to grab a pair of 210 pound dumbbells, haul them over to the incline bench, get the dumbbells into position, perform his reps, then return the dumbbells to the rack -- all unassisted -- quite a feat of strength in its own right.

---

Old School Strength: Wilbur Miller

Old School Strength: Wilbur Miller
Wilbur Miller was Kansas wheat farmer who became the best amateur deadlifter in America back in the 1960's.

He trained by himself when the day's farm chores were done.

In 1963, Wilbur Miller pulled an official AAU record 705 lbs. and a year later topped that when he pulled 715 at the very first National Powerlifting Tournament held in York, Pennsylvania.

Wilbur Miller was also widely known as having some of the strongest hands around -- notice the palms forward grip in the deadlift pictured above.

He could also close the "Extra-Heavy" Iron Man Hand Gripper with ease.

You've got to admit -- it looks pretty darn cool when the bar is loaded all the way to the end like that.

---

Malcolm "Mac" Richards

Malcolm "Mac" Richards
"Mac" Richards started powerlifting when he was 57 years old and within a year set new Masters World Records in each of the three lifts: squatting 425 pounds, benching 308 pounds, deadlifting 479 pounds and totaling 1212 pounds.

In the years that followed, he won 18 National titles and four World Powerlifting Championships.

Here were his marks at the age of 75 years and 198 lbs, (Still Masters records for the International Powerlifting Association, by the way.)

Squat: 440 pounds
Bench: 330 pounds
Deadlift: 470 pounds
Total: 1240 pounds

Mac was inducted into the York Barbell Powerlifting Hall of Fame in 2000. He was also a good friend who will be missed.

---