Thursday, November 12, 2009
A look at another one of Professor Desbonnet's classic gyms, circa, 1909. Of particular interest are the unique Pushup bars in the foreground - a simple, but very effective, training idea.
Labels: Classic Equipment, Classic Gym, Classic Strongman Gyms, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbells, Professor Desbonnet, Pushups
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Monday, October 19, 2009
Here, Jack Lalanne shows one very good way to add some weight to your pushups - by balancing a dumbbell on your back. (Jack celebrated his 95th birthday on September 26th, 2009 - way to go Jack!)
Labels: Dumbbell, Jack LaLanne, Pushups
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Friday, October 09, 2009
One important thing to keep in mind about strength training is that much of the "secret" of getting very strong does not have to do with exotic lifts that you never heard of before but basic lifts that you probably already know, just done correctly with plenty of effort. Here's a great example: want to know how the great strongman Clevio Massimo developed his incredible arm strength? "One-arm Pushups" ~ an exercise you can do pretty-much anywhere.
Labels: Arm Development, Bodyweight Exercise, Clevio Massimo, One Arm Lift, Pushups
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Sunday, June 28, 2009
With the many ways of training out there the simple pushup is still a great exercise choice. They can be done anywhere, require no special equipment and can be trained progressively by adjusting the form.
Shown here is the great oldime strongman Earle E. Liederman demonstrating pushups in one of his classic courses. Liederman and many of the other early strength authors often prescribed a mixture of bodyweight calisthenics and barbell/dumbbell training since the two styles of training compliment each other very effectively.
Labels: Barbell Training, Bodyweight Calisthenics, Bodyweight Training, Earle E. Liederman, Pushups, Strength Author
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Thursday, March 26, 2009
Brooklyn-born Dan Lurie won the "Most Muscular" subdivision and finished second in the AAU Mr. America contest in 1942, 1943 and 1944. He went on to become a very successful gym owner, magazine publisher and TV strongman. He also established the Dan Lurie Barbell Company which produced barbells and plates primarily on the east coast.
As a strongman, he performed 1655 push ups in 90 minutes, a bent press of 285 pounds (at a bodyweight of 168 pounds) and backlifted 1810 pounds.
Labels: Back Lift, Bent Press, Dan Lurie, Globe Dumbbell, Most Muscular, Mr. America, Mr. America Contest, Pushups
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Tuesday, December 09, 2008
1948 Mr. America George Eiferman demonstrates pushups on benches in what looks to be the old York Broad street Gym. A Simple... but effective exercise. Eiferman was well known for his chest development and this movement was one of his favorites.
Labels: 1948 Mr. America, Broad Street Gym, George Eiferman, Mr. America, Pushups
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Friday, June 13, 2008
Labels: Bodyweight Feat, Endurance Feat, Jack LaLanne, Oldtime Strongman Feat, One Arm Chin up, Pushups, swimming
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Sunday, November 04, 2007
| 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 |
Labels: Benjamin Roller, Indian Wrestler, Oldtime Strongman, Pushups, Stanislaus Zbyszko, The Great Gama, Traditional Squats, Wrestling
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Thursday, November 01, 2007
Bill Pettis: 23-1/4 Inch ArmsThere 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.
Labels: Bench Press, Bill Pettis, Bodybuilding, Curl, Feat, Pushups, Squat, Tricep Curls
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Welcome to the Strongest Blog on the Net!
This is THE PLACE where you will find interesting bits of Iron Game history, lore and training tips from the strongest men of all time.

Desbonnet's Gym
Jack LaLanne Pushups
One-Arm Pushups
Pushups
Dan Lurie
George Eiferman: Pushups on Benches
Jack LaLanne
The Great Gama