Thursday, January 07, 2010
Josef StrassbergerAs a super-heavyweight, the great German Weightlifter Josef Strassberger won the Gold Medal at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympc Games. He came back four years later to beat his winning total although it was only good enough for Bronze at the 1932 Los Angeles Games. Strassberger set six World Records during his career including his best press of 300 pounds which he accomplished in 1935.
Labels: 1928 Olympics, 1932 Olympics, Bronze Medal, German Weightlifter, Gold Medal, Josef Strassberger, olympic weightlifter, Press
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Thursday, November 12, 2009
Doug HepburnThe great Canadian lifter, Doug Hepburn is shown here in what probably could be called his signature pose. If the issues of Strength and Health on the wall are current, this picture dates to early 1947. -- Although I suspect this was taken later than that.
Don't know if you realized this but growing up, Doug was of very average height and build. At 17 years old, Doug was 5'8" and weighed only 145 pounds. It was around that age that he discovered weight lifting... and the rest is history. To give you an idea of Doug's immense power, his best eventual repetition 2-arm overhead barbell press was 335 pounds for 10 reps!
Labels: Canadian Strongman, Doug Hepburn, Press, Strength and Health Magazine
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Russian Lion - George HackenschmidtGeorge Hackenschmidt was equal parts champion weightlifter and wrestler. One wonders what he might have accomplished had he chosen to focus on one or the other... or perhaps the secret of his success was due to the fact that he did combine the two ! In any case, Hackenschmidt's performance on some of the standard lifts of the day (early 1900's) are as follows:
One-Hand Snatch: 197-1/2 lbs One-Hand Jerk: 231 lbs Two-Hands Press: 281 lbs Continental Jerk: 345-1/2 lbs
Labels: Continental and Jerk, Estonian Strongman, George Hackenschmidt, Oldtime Strongman, Oldtime Strongman Lifts, one arm snatch, One Hand Jerk, One hand Snatch, Press, The Russian Lion, Wrestler
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Sunday, July 12, 2009
Paul Anderson: Behind The Iron CurtainIn 1955, a group of U.S. weightlifting champs traveled to Russia - the first U.S. athletic team to be invited behind the Iron Curtain - for a series of exhibitions with the Soviet national team.
After everyone else had finished their lifting, Paul Anderson astounded their hosts by pressing 402-1/2 lbs., snatching 314-1/4 lbs. and the lift shown here: a clean & jerk of 424-1/2 lbs. Big Paul so astounded the Russians that they did not even bother to enter a heavyweight lifter at the upcoming 1956 Olympics - they figured that he was simply unbeatable.
Labels: Clean and Jerk, Paul Anderson, Press, Russia, Russian Olympic Set, Snatch
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Saturday, July 11, 2009
Bringing Home the Gold: Melbourne 1956The date of this photo is November 26th, 1956 and it shows the results of the Men's Light-Heavyweight weightlifting event at the '56 Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia. On his way to the Gold Medal, Tommy Kono set Olympic records in the Press and Snatch and a World Record in the Clean & Jerk and overall total (447.5 kg).
The other American lifter Jim George, from Akron, Ohio, won the Bronze with a 417.5 kg total. Vasīlijs Stepanovs of the Soviet Union took the Silver Medal with a 427.5 total.
Labels: 100 Pound Total, 1956 Olympics, Clean and Jerk, Gold Medal, Jim George, Melbourne Australia, Olympic Record, Olympic Weightlifting, Press, Snatch, Tommy Kono, Vasīlijs Stepanovs, World Record
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Thursday, July 09, 2009
Leroy SabaBodybuilder Leroy Saba on the cover of the May, 1963 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. He won his class in the AAU Mr. California contest that year. A few years before, Saba finished second to Red Lerille at the 1960 AAU Mr. America Contest (He was also runner up for the 'Most Muscular' sub-division as well).
Saba was uncharacteristically strong for a bodybuilder, with a a 500 lb. squat, 325 lb. bench press, 455 lb. deadlift and 240 lb. press to his credit (at a bodyweight of only 165 lbs.)
Labels: 1960 Mr. America Contest, AAU, Bench Press, Bodybuilder, Bodybuilding Magazine, Cover, Deadlift, Leroy Saba, Mr. California, Press, Red Lerille, Squat, Strength and Health Magazine
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Monday, July 06, 2009
| At the 1908 World Weightlifting Championship, won by Josef Grafl, the second place winner was Eduard Danzer of old Vienna. Danzer lifted as follows:
|  Eduard Danzer |
Labels: 1908 World Weightlifting Championships, Eduard Danzer, Josef Grafl, one arm snatch, Press, Snatch
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
MaxickIn 1913, Maxick performed this novel advertising stunt, pressing a 210 pound man overhead while drinking a glass of beer with his free hand. Maxick weighed only 147 pounds. Maxick's manager Tromp Van Diggelen took the picture, and that is also his barrel barbell in the foreground.
Labels: Barrel Barbell, Human Lift, Maxick, Press, Tromp Van Diggelen
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Monday, June 22, 2009
John Grimek: One-Arm Barbell SnatchMany people have ascribed John Grimek's well-rounded physique to the fact that he was very well-rounded in his training. He pressed, he squatted, he trained his grip, he used the wrist roller, he even trained upside-down. Here's Grimek performing a one-arm barbell snatch with 145 pounds - a feat that you will rarely see these days.
Labels: Barbell, Grip Training, John Grimek, one arm snatch, Press, Squat, Wrist Roller Training, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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Friday, May 29, 2009
Bert Elliot ~ Hand Balancing FeatWhen you think about it, this is one hell of a strength feat: Weightlifting and strongman champ Bert Elliott supports his friend Cliff Graham in a hand stand position, then slowly presses him to lockout. It's one thing to do this with a barbell but with a human being, perfectly balanced the whole time? Simply an amazing display of strength and skill by both athletes.
Labels: Bert Elliott, Cliff Graham, Hand Balancing, Hand Balancing Feat, Press
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Louis AbeleLouis Abele, lifting out of the Lighthouse Boy's Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a three-time Sr. National Silver medalist and briefly held the American Record in the press. He would also have lifted at the 1940 Olympic games although unfortunately they were canceled. Had he been born a few years earlier Abele would probably be a lot more well-known since he was in his prime right around the same time as Steve Stanko and later John Davis.
Abele was adamant about the incredible strength benefits of heavy, high-rep squatting (something which is pretty evident in the picture.) His best marks were: 400 lbs. x 18, 450 lbs. x 10, 475 lbs. x 7 and 500 lbs. x 3.
Labels: John Davis, Leg Strength, Louis Abele, olympic weightlifter, Press, Squat, Squatting, Steve Stanko
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009
John McCallum: Press - Pull - SquatStrength author John McCallum is shown here following some of his own advice: Press - Pull - Squat. If you focused on only those three exercises you'll end up pretty damn strong.
Labels: Bent Over Rowing, John McCallum, Press, Squat
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Monday, May 11, 2009
George Jowett, Karl Moerke, Sig Klein and Mark H. BerryOnce in a great while several different legends will be in the same place at the same time. In this case, a strength show at Bryant Hall in New York City circa 1922. From left to right George Jowett, Karl Moerke, Sig Klein and Mark H. Berry. (Klein made a record press at the show.)
Labels: George Jowett, Karl Moerke, Mark Berry, Press, Sig Klein
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| |
A short video clip featuring Brooks Kubik and Dinosaur Training in action. Log lifting... Barrel Lifting... Anvil Lifting... John Davis... Doug Hepburn... John Grimek... Arthur Saxon... Heavy Dumbbells... Basement lifting... Power Rack Work... Grip Training... If you don't want your own copy after watching this then you had better check your pulse.
Labels: 1 Leg Squat, Anvil Lifting, Arthur Saxon, Barrel Lifting, Brooks Kubik, Dinosaur Training, Doug Hepburn, George Jowett, John Grimek, Odd Object Lifting, Press, Video
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Wednesday, May 06, 2009
| Hand Balancing was part of Doug Hepburn's regular training program. He figured the the increased blood flow to the upper body while in the inverted position would be good for building his pressing strength. Given his track records, there certainly may be something to that. Here's Doug as the 'bottom man' in a unique feat: that's a 205 pound barbell and a 170 pound man he's holding overhead. This picture is more impressive than it may appear when you consider how they got in that position in the first place - a feat in itself. This picture was taken just after Doug established a new world record in the press with a lift of 353 pounds. |  Doug Hepburn ~ Hand Balancing |
Labels: Doug Hepburn, Hand Balancing, Hand Balancing Feat, Press
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Friday, March 20, 2009
MaxickThe amazing Maxick was best known for his muscle control ability, but he still moved some very impressive weights. Maxick could swing a 150-pound dumbbell - a dumbbell as heavy as his own bodyweight. He could also overhead press over 230 pounds. He was also a very good hand balancer, and could easily walk up and down a flight of stairs on his hands.
Labels: Dumbbell Swing, Hand Balancing, Maxick, Muscle Control, Press
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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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Thursday, February 05, 2009
Karl MoerkeIn order to win the weightlifting World Championship in 1920, the German strongman Karl Moerke performed the following lifts:
Labels: Continental, Continental and Jerk, German Strongman, Jerk, Karl Moerke, one arm snatch, Press
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Friday, December 26, 2008
MaxickEven a hundred years later, there aren't many men who can compete with Maxick in terms of pure muscularity. His incredible condition came about mostly from practicing Muscle Control but he was no slouch when it came to moving some heavy iron either. Maxick could "swing" a 150-pound dumbbell - a dumbbell as heavy as his own bodyweight. He could also overhead "press" over 230 pounds - impressive feats for any sized athlete.
Labels: Dumbbell Swing, Maxick, Muscle Control, Press
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Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Barrel Lifting at "The Pit"No matter how you slice it, barrel lifting is a great workout, as shown on this classic cover of Hardgainer Magazine (#30, May-June 1994). In this shot, Bob Farris from Dick Conner's place "The Pit" Barbell Club in Evansville, Indiana presses a 150-pound water-filled barrel for 13 reps. If you've ever trained with barrels, you know this is STRONG!
Labels: Barrel, Barrel Lifting, Bob Farris, Hardgainer Magazine, Odd Object Lifting, Press, The Pit Barbell Club
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Doug HepburnDoug Hepburn doing his thing. At the time this picture was taken Doug had cleaned and pressed 381 pounds -- the heaviest weight that had ever been lifted in this manner. This picture was taken as Doug was preparing for the 1954 British Empire games in his hometown of Vancouver (At which he won a gold medal.)
Labels: British Empire Games, Canadian Strongman, Clean and Press, Doug Hepburn, Press, Vancouver
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Sunday, September 07, 2008
Norb SchemanskyChampion Olympic Weightlifter Norb Schemansky as he looked pressing 160 kg at the 1960 Rome Olympics (where he won Bronze) and on the cover of the September, 1962 issue of Strength and Health Magazine.
Over his career Schemansky was an Olympic Champion in 1952 (Helsinki), Three time World Champion (1947, 1962, 1963) and set 26 World Records.
Labels: 1952 Olympics, Cover, Gold Medal, Norb Schemansky, Olympic lifter, Olympic Weightlifting, Press, Strength and Health Magazine
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Sunday, August 10, 2008
Pete GeorgeAkron, Ohio's Pete George on the cover of the March, 1956 issue of Strength and Health Magazine.
Over his career, George won five World Championships (1947, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1955) and three Olmpic Medals (Silver: 1948 games London, England; Gold: 1952 Games, Helsinki, Finland; Silver: 1956 games Melbourne, Australia).
He set three world records and his best lifts were as follows:
Press: 122.5 kg Snatch: 127.5 kg Clean and Jerk: 164.5 kg
Labels: 1948 Olympics, 1952 Olympics, 1956 Olympics, Clean and Jerk, Olympic Champion, Olympic Weightlifting, Pete George, Press, Snatch, Strength and Health Magazine, World Champion
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Friday, August 01, 2008
Charles RigoulotIn July of 1924, Charles Rigoulot was crowned the light-heavyweight Champion at the Olympic Games held in Paris, France. Today there are only two Olympic lifts, but things were a little different back then when a variety of lifts were contested.
Here's a look at Rigoulot's championship numbers: One-Hand snatch: 197-1/2 pounds, One-Hand Clean and Jerk: 203-1/2 pounds, Two-Hands Military Press: 187 pounds, Two-Hands Snatch: 225-1/2 pounds, Two-Hands Clean and Jerk: 297 pounds.
As you can see, Rigoulot was a little low in the press at this time but more than made up for it with his snatching ability. Rigoulot's total of 1103-1/2 pounds was the third highest of the entire competition... and, interestingly enough he also used shot-loaded globes instead of normal plate-loaded equipment like his competitors.
Labels: 1924 Olympics, Charles Rigoulot, Clean and Jerk, French Strongman, French Weightlifter, Gold Medal, Olympic Games, one arm snatch, Paris France, Press, Total
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Doug Hepburn - 1953 Heavyweight World ChampionDoug Hepburn's final lift to win the 1953 Heavyweight World Weightlifting Championship held in Stockholm, Sweden. (defeating John Davis) The lift pictured here was a 363-pound clean and jerk -- the highest of the contest. Doug's other lifts of the day were a 371-pound press and a 297-pound snatch for a total of 1031 pounds.
Labels: 1953 World Championships, Barbell, Canadian Strongman, Clean and Jerk, Doug Hepburn, John Davis, Olympic Lifting, Olympic Weightlifing Exercise, Olympic Weightlifting, Press, Snatch, Sweden, Total
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Sunday, April 06, 2008
Dick Bachtell - Weightlifting ChampionThe great weightlifting Champion Dick Bachtell as he appeared on the cover of the January, 1936 issue of Strength and Health Magazine.
Dick Bachtell was a seven-time National Champion (1929-1931, 1934-1935, 1937, and 1943) and competed in the 1932 Olympic games in Los Angeles, Claifornia.
For his last National Title, he totaled 630 pounds in the 60-Kg class.
In addition to his Olympic Weightlifting exploits, Dick Bachtell could also one-arm snatch 154 pounds, squat 350-pounds, deadlift 425-pounds, one-arm press 92-pounds, pullover 100-pounds, swing 137-pounds and bent-press 180-pounds.
Labels: 1932 Olympics, Cover, Dick Bachtell, National Champion Weightlifter, Olympic Weightlifting, one arm snatch, Press, Pullover, Senior Nationals, Strength and Health Magazine, weightlifter
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Friday, March 21, 2008
Paul Anderson "A Wonder of Nature"The great Paul Anderson warms up before a weightlifting exhibition at Dynamo Stadium in Russia, circa 1955 (at the height of the Cold War), as Bob Hoffman, Tommy Kono and other members of the York Gang look on.
At the time, the World record in the Olympic press was 330-1/2 pounds, set by the Russian champion, Medvedev. In front of a crowd of 15,000 people on a rainy day, Paul Anderson pressed 402-1/2 pounds.
The Russian crowd gave Anderson a standing ovation and rightfully began calling him "Chudo Prirody," which means "a wonder of nature."
Labels: Bob Hoffman, Dynamo Stadium, Medvedev, Olympic Weightlifting, Paul Anderson, Press, Russia, Tommy Kono
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Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Isaac "Ike" BergerIke Berger is one of America's most successful Olympic Weightlifters -- he was the first featherweight in history to lift more than 800 pounds and the first to press double body weight.
Over his career he was the owner of 23 world weightlifting records, a 12-time United States national titleholder, 2-time World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist at the 1956 Games in Melbourne Australia (along with two more Silver medals at the next two Olympic Games.)
At the 1964 Olympic games, he estabilished a record of 152.5 kg (336 lb) in the jerk, at a bodyweight of only 130 pounds (59 kg). This lift made him pound-for-pound the strongest man in the world, a record that stood for nine years.
Ike Berger was elected to the United States Weightlifter's Hall of Fame in 1965.
Labels: 1956 Olympics, Clean and Jerk, Gold Medal, Ike Berger, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympics, Press, weightlifter, weightlifting, World Champion
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Wednesday, January 30, 2008
| The "side press" is a looser version of the dumbbell press - contrast the picture on the right with the one here. Because it's a bit of an "anyhow" lift, much more weight can be used than a strict dumbbell press. You should be able to press well over a hundred pounds in this manner. Paul Anderson could side press over 300 pounds with ridiculous ease. |  The Dumbbell Side Press |
Labels: Dumbbell Press, Dumbbell Exercise, Exercise, Feat, Paul Anderson, Press, Shoulder Exercise, Side Press
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Saturday, January 05, 2008
 Barrel Lifting | Lifting Barrels and Kegs has long been a Oldtime strongman Tradition since it builds a unique kind of strength -- especially is the barrel is only partially filled... If water (or beer) is sloshing around inside the barrel, it becomes a "live" weight, and a tremendous test of strength -- and it takes a lot less weight than you think. A partially-filled barrel weighing as little as fifty pounds can give you a tremendous workout. Suggested barrel lifting exercises include: |
Labels: Barrel Lifting, Barrel Lifting Exercises, Barrels, Exercise, Keg Lifting, Lifting Barrels, Odd Object Lifting, Press, Strongman Equipment, Wooden Barrel
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Sunday, December 02, 2007
 Doug Hepburn | It was once thought that strength training would makes athletes stiff and "muscle bound." -- That line of thinking couldn't be further from the truth and here's a good example: In addition to his tremendous lifting feats, Doug Hepburn was also a great hand balancer He believed hand balancing also contributed to his pressing ability. Doug pressed 440 pounds off a rack so I think there's a pretty strong case for that. This picture was taken at Ed Yarick's Gym in Oakland, California in the early 1950's. |
Labels: Doug Hepburn, Ed Yarick's Gym, hand balancer, Hand Balancing, Press, Strongman Feat
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| In addition to publishing "THE IRON MASTER" John "Osmo" Kiiha is a former World-Class Olympic Lifter who competed in the 1968 Senior Nationals in the 198 pound class. His bests lifts were: Total: 985, Press: 333, Clean & Jerk: 418, Snatch: 286. Here he is getting ready to incline press a pair of 150 pound dumbbells. |  Osmo Kiiha |
Labels: Clean and Jerk, Dumbbell Benchpress, Iron Master Magazine, Olympic Weightlifting, Osmo Kiiha, Press, Senior Nationals, Snatch, Strength Author, Total
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Wednesday, November 21, 2007
| When you see that the many of the strongest men who ever lived all trained with the same exercise, you ought to start paying attention. This picture was taken at the Los Angeles Athletic Club on December 22nd, 1941. Grimek and the York Gang toured the country promoting weightlifting. At these exhibitions, Grimek performed military presses with 290 pounds. |  John Grimek: Military Press |
Labels: Barbell, Bodybuilding, Exercise, John Grimek, Military Press, Press, York Gang
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Tuesday, November 20, 2007
| You have to admit, classic globe kettlebells like this one make great pictures. Here's famous strongman Anton Matysek lifting a rather large Milo Kettlebell. Interestingly enough, the "traditional" kettlebell exercises such as snatches and clean & Jerks, are often nowhere to be found in most oldtime strongman training literature. |  Anton Matysek Lifting a Classic Kettlebell |
Labels: Anton Matysek, Kettlebell, Kettlebell Exercises, Press, Strongman Equipment
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Monday, November 19, 2007
John Terpak - Eleven Time Senior National Weightlifting ChampionJohn Terpak was a member of the "York Gang" and one of America's best Olympic-style weightlifters, winning eleven Senior National Weightlifting Titles (1936-1945 & 1947).
Over his career he lifted in three different weight classes (148, 165 and 181.) His best performance occurred winning the 1947 Worlds as a light-heavyweight:
Press - 253-1/2 pounds
Snatch - 264-1/2 pounds
Clean & Jerk - 336-1/4 pounds
Total = 854-1/2 pounds
He also one-hand snatched 154 pounds and one-hand jerked 170-1/2 pounds in some early weightlifting contests when those lifts were still contested.
Terpak was a three-time Olympic Team Member (1936, 1940, & 1948) and a part of nine total Olympic teams and sixty consecutive National Championships as a lifter, judge or coach. He eventually served as an executive for the York Barbell Company.
Labels: Clean and Jerk, John Terpak, Olympic Weightlifting, one arm snatch, Press, Total, weightlifter, weightlifting, York Barbell Company
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Sunday, November 18, 2007
| Like many of the turn-of-the-century strongmen, Arthur Saxon trained with kettlebells and they are featured very prominantly in some of the books he has written. Here's a few of the kettlebell exercises he recommends:
|  Kettlebell Lifting With Arthur Saxon |
Labels: Arthur Saxon, Kettlebell Exercises, Kettlebell Workout, Kettlebells, Press
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Thursday, November 15, 2007
| It should be no coincindence why the dumbbell overhead press have been featured on this blog several times -- it is truly one of the very best upper-body strength builders you'll ever find. Here's a look at the great Doug Hepburn as he presses a pair of 160 pound dumbbells -- now THAT is strong! At Ed Yarick's Gym in Oakland, California, Doug pressed a pair of 142 pound dumbbells for four repetitions. |  Doug Hepburn Dumbbell Press |
Labels: Doug Hepburn, Dumbbell Press, Dumbbells, Ed Yarick's Gym, Press, Strongman Feat
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Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Tromp Van Diggelen - The South African HerculesTromp Van Diggelen survived a sickly childhood to become a traveling performing strongman and one of the true unsung heroes of strength history.
His performing feats were certainly impressive (such as the 210 pound "barrel lift" barbell press above) but it was his work behind the scenes which he should be remembered best.
It was Tromp Van Diggelen who discovered "Max Sick" and had him change his name to Maxick.
Van Digglen also managed Joseph Steinbach and Hermann Goerner and also founded The British Amateur Weightlifting Association (BAWLA).
Labels: Barrel Lifting, Hermann Goerner, Joseph Steinbach, Maxick, Oldtime Strongman, Press, Tromp Van Diggelen
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Saturday, November 10, 2007
Oldtime Log BarThis unusual piece of equipment, a precursor to Dr. Ken's Log Bar, was fashioned by a Connecticut gym owner in the 1930's.
Just as today, it was made specifically for pressing and tricep work. Many people find that the parallel handles are much more comfortable than a straight barbell for these movements -- I agree.
Labels: Log Bar, Press, Strongman Equipment, Tricep Work
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Friday, November 09, 2007
 Weightlifting ChampionJohn Davis | John Davis was one of America's greatest Olympic weightlifting champions. Throughout his career he won two gold medals: 1948(London) and 1952(Helsinki) He was also a Senior World Champion in 1938, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, and 1951. His best Olympic lifts were: |
Labels: Apollon's Wheels, Clean and Jerk, Curl, Deadlift, Gold Medal, John Davis, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympics, Press, Snatch, Squat, Weaver Stick
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Wednesday, November 07, 2007
| Presses and Curls... Shrugs and Deadlifts... Rows and Bench Presses... everyone loves training with dumbbells. In fact, dumbbell training has actually changed very little since the days of the ancient Greeks. I'm sure this old pair of York Globe 100's has seen many good workouts... |  Dumbbell Training |
Labels: Bench Press, Deadlift, Dumbbell Shrug, Dumbbell Training, Dumbbell Workout, Dumbbells, Dumbbells Row, Globe Dumbbells, Press, Tricep Curls, York
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Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sig Klein Dumbbell Clean and PressSig Klein called the two dumbbell clean and press THE ONE BEST EXERCISE because of its simplicty and tremendous training effects on upper body strength.
In the 1940's Klein suggested to get started with this exercise with 20 pounds less than your two arm press and build from there. He also questioned whether there were a dozen athletes in the country who could do 10 clean and presses with a pair of 75 pound dumbbells... Hmmm.
Labels: Clean and Press, Dumbbells, Globe Dumbbells, Overhead Press, Press, Sig Klein, Strongman Feat
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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
 Pudgy Stockton | If there ever were a "bar belle" it was Abbye "Pudgy" Stockton. (She aquired the nickname "Pudgy" as a child and it stuck.) "Pudgy" weighed 115 pounds at a height of 5'2" and, as you can see, was quite the physical specimen -- especially impressive at a time when weightlifting for either gender was frowned upon. She and husband Les Stockton were well known at the first "Muscle Beach" at Santa Monica, California where they primarily worked on acrobatics and gymnastic feats for the crowds. |
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Clean and Jerk, Gymnastics, Hand Balancing, Les Stockton, Muscle Beach, Press, Pudgy Stockton, Snatch, Strength and Health, weightlifting
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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, September 30, 2007
Schemansky Stalks the Bar...From the late 1940s to mid-1960s, Norb Schemansky was America's most successful Olympic Weightlifter and the first weightlifter to medal in four Olympic Games, (despite missing the 1956 games.)
Do you think he means business in the shot above?
Here's a look at Norb Schemansky's achievements over the course of his career:
And best career marks:Olympic Champion - 1952 Olympic Games, Helsinki Silver Medal - 1948 Olympic Games, London Bronze Medal - 1960, Rome, 1964, Tokyo World Champion (1951, 1953, and 1954) 1955 Pan American Games Heavyweight Champion Silver Medal - Senior World Championships (1947, 1962, 1963) Bronze Medal - Senior World Championships (1964)
Press - 415 lbs.
Snatch - 363 3/4 lbs.
Clean and Jerk - 445 lbs.
Total - 1200 lbs. (400-335-445)
In addition to his weightlifting exploits, he also famously cleaned, then thrice jerked the Apollon Wheels.
Labels: 1952 Olympics, 1960 Olympics, 1964 Olympics, Clean and Jerk, Gold Medal, Norb Schemansky, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympics, Press, Snatch, The 1947 U.S. World Weightlifting Team, weightlifting
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
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