Jack LaLanne

Jack LaLanne

At 94 years old jack LaLanne is still going strong. He once did 1033 pushups in one hour, swam from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman's Wharf while handcuffed and towing a fleet of boats, and starred in the longest running fitness show in the history or television. Here he is as a young man working on his one-arm chinning ability.

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The Great Gama: Lion of The Punjab

The Great Gama is likely the greatest Pehlwan, or indian wrestler, who ever lived; as he was undefeated in over 5000 matches. Gama publically challenged all comers and easily beat the likes of Benjamin Roller and Stanislaus Zbyszko. His daily training routine consisted of thousands of traditional squats and pushups -- after seeing him train, many would-be challengers wanted no part of him.

The Great Gama

The object he is seen holding here was not a piece of training equipment but an ornamental scepter known as a Gurz, the Indian Wrestling version of the Championship Belt.

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Bill Pettis: 23-1/4 Inch Arms

Bill Pettis: 23-1/4 Inch Arms
There were a lot of big guys during the 1970's West Coast Bodybuilding Scene -- but none bigger than Bill Pettis.

He's not a name you see mentioned much because he had no interest in competing - just building the biggest and strongest arms he possibly could.

Looks like he succeeded.

As reported by Iron Man Magazine in 1975, his workouts were legendary -- 100 sets of arm work, standing triceps curls with 315 pounds on the bar, 180 pound curls and endless sets of pushups to "flush gallons of blood through the great muscle mass and get an extreme pump."

On several occasions his entire workout consisted of 3000 or more pushups (which took him five hours!)

Among his other lifts you can also add a 475 bench press and a squat with 620 pounds.

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