Thursday, January 28, 2010
Hand BalancingI don't know if there has ever been a strength athlete as well-rounded as Sig Klein. He was a champion in pretty much every area of strength training that you could imagine. Here's Sig performing a very interesting hand balancing feat. You also gotta love Sig's taste in equipment as well.
Labels: Balance Feat, Globe Barbell, hand balancer, Hand Balancing, Hand Balancing Feat, Sig Klein
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, January 18, 2010
Strongman Beer SteinMuch of weightlifting's history can be traced back to taverns and beer halls so it was only natural that some "strength" themed steins were created way back when. The only "supplements" that many of the real oldtimers enjoyed were barley and hops. This one is pretty nifty because of the ringweight lid. It would also appear that it would be quite a workout drinking from this one when it was full of ale.
Sig Klein was a big fan of steins like these, and his collection was housed on shelves around his gym. This one may have actually belonged to Sig at one point.
Labels: Beer Stein, Ring Weights, Sig Klein, Sig Klein's Gym, Strongman Collectible
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 23, 2009
Hermann's GymWilliam J. Hermann was a very knowledgeable physical culturist who taugh and heavily influenced Alan Calvert (in fact, Calvert's classic book "Super Strength" is dedicated to him.)
Hermann's gym, located at 1325 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, was one of the popular hangouts for many of the strength stars of the early 20th century, most notably Sig Klein and Milo Steinborn who performed a number of strength feats there. This particular picture was taken in 1931 and shows Milo getting in a quick workout on the brand new open air section of the gym. -- Also of note: that's the same globe barbell used by Al Nino.
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Globe Barbell, Hermann's Gym, Milo Steinborn, Philadelphia Gym, Sig Klein, William J. Hermann
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
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Klein's GymAnother look at one side of Sig Klein's gym. This was the original location, before he moved to Times Square. Most of the equipment that you see once belonged to Professor Attila. Note the blockweight and Roman Column off to the right. How many famous strongmen can you recognize on the wall? Despite being rather far away, interestingly, you can still pick out many of them.
Labels: Block Weights, Classic Equipment, Classic Strongman Gyms, Dumbbells, Globe Barbell, Roman Column, Sig Klein, Sig Klein's Gym
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
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sig KleinAnother look at Sig Klein bent-pressing the Rolandow Barbell. Sig was very proficient at this movement and a tremendous fan of it as a strength builder. He wrote a training course on the bent press and even held several Bent-Press Contests (won by Elwood Holbrook.)
Labels: Bent Press, Elwood Holbrook, Rolandow Barbell, Sig Klein
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
Sunday, September 13, 2009
What is a Bar-Bell?A look at a Milo Barbell Co. Ad from 1924. In those days, "lifting weights" was not as popular as it is today, hence the need for Alan Calvert to use an ad like this to educate the public as to what a "bar-bell" was and what it could do for someone when they used it correctly. Sig Klein is pictured demonstrating the equipment.
Labels: Advertisement, Alan Calvert, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, Kettlebell, Milo Barbell Company, Milo Kettlebell, Sig Klein
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, August 17, 2009
Sig Klein's GymSig Klein opened his gym in 1926 and ran it -- without a day off -- for the next 50 years. It's not hard to see why it was the place to train in the east coast. Here's some classic Kettlebells, Ring Weights and Globe Barbells. Sig luckily inherited much of the equipment when he married Professor Attila's daughter.
Labels: Antique Equipment, Classic Gym, Classic Kettlebells, Kettlebells, Ring Weights, Sig Klein, Sig Klein's Gym
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
Friday, July 03, 2009
Sig Klein: Partial DeadliftsAt a strength show held in 1922 at New York City's Bryant Hall, Sig Klein got a chance to test out a piece of equipment designed by George Jowett which was used for performing partial deadlifts. The ACWLA on Sig's singlet stood for the American Continental Weight-Lifter's Association, which Jowett founded.
Labels: ACWLA, George Jowett, Patial Deadlift, Sig Klein, Strongman Equipment
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, June 08, 2009
Klein's SteinsSig Klein was as famous for his stein collection as he was for his lifting ability. As you can see, his stein collection was quite extensive, and many of which understandably featured physical training motifs with barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells and ring weights etc (One actually had a ringweight-shaped lid!)
Sig kept his steins on a high shelf which ran around the top of his gym and you can see them in the background in a few classic shots.
Labels: Klein's Steins, Ring Weights, Sig Klein, Sig Klein's Gym
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
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Gymnastic RingsA look at a few of the exercises which can be performed with Gymnastic Rings. Ring training has a long history in physical culture and they could be found in just about every gymnasium in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
As time passed, rings became quite rare in gyms although those who understood their place in training made sure they had them on hand. Sig Klein, Vince Gironda and Milo Steinborn, for example, all had gymnastic rings in their respective gyms long after they were en vogue.
Labels: Gymnastic Rings, Gymnastics, Milo Steinborn, Physical Culture Equipment, Ring Training, Rings, Sig Klein, Vince Gironda
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
Saturday, May 23, 2009
A Brief History of Kettlebells... A version of this video can be found elsewhere on the site, however, the one shown here has been re-rendered and also includes 30 seconds of additional footage. You think you know all about kettlebells? Check out this video for some things about kettlebells that I guarantee you have never seen before.
Labels: Ancient Kettlebells, Classic Kettlebells, Clevio Massimo, John Wood, Kettlebell History, kettlebell training, Kettlebells, Shot Loaded Kettlebells, Sig Klein, Video
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
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Rope Climbing for Grip Strength Sig Klein was always outspoken as far as the importance of grip strength... One of Sig's favorite exercises was to hang by one hand from a thick climbing rope. It's still a good one.
Labels: 2" Climbing Rope, Grip Exercise, Grip Strength, Sig Klein, Thick Climbing Ropes
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, 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
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
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Bent Lateral RaiseWith a pair of Aristocrat Dumbbells to provide resistance, Sig Klein demonstrates the favorite exercise of another oldtimer George F. Jowett. The bent lateral raise is primarily intended for training the rear delts.
Labels: Aristocrat Dumbbells, Bent Lateral Raise, Dumbbell Exercise, George Jowett, Shoulder Exercise, Sig Klein
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
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
 Kettlebell Curls | I recall reading somewhere that performing curls with a kettlebell is not a 'good' exercise... Having tried them myself and done them for a while now, I think they are actually pretty good. Sig Klein thought so too, in fact, he listed curls among his favorite kettlebell exercises. |
Labels: Bicep Exercise, Curl, Kettlebell Curls, Kettlebell Exercises, kettlebell lifting, kettlebell training, Sig Klein
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
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sig Klein: Train Your Grip!"Bodybuilders do not have the grip they should have. I know. For many years I have found that few of them possess the grip that their large biceps would indicate..."That was written by Sig Klein about sixty years ago, and it's still true today. Although bodybuilder or not, everyone should train their grip. Sig's equipment of choice is a simple pinch block, attached by a chain to one of his "Klein Bells. Sig really liked the pinch grip exercise since it was such a favorite of many Oldtime Strongmen.
In fact, at his gym, Sig had a 20 Kilo French blockweight which he placed a $10 bill under, and which had an open challenge that anyone who could pinch-lift the blockweight could keep the bill. The prize was safe for many years until a football player named Harry Kloppenburg finally lifted it!
Labels: Blockweights, Challenge Feats, Grip Strength, Hand Strength, Pinch Grip, Pinch Lift, Sig Klein, Sig Kleins Gym
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
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
How to Bent Press by Sig KleinIf there ever were someone qualified to teach the bent press it was Sig Klein. He wrote this nifty little training guide in the 30's. Copies are pretty hard to come by.
Labels: Bent Press, How to Bent Press, Sig Klein, Training Course
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, February 16, 2009
Ralph HalpernRalph Halpern performs a... well I don't know what you call this lift but it looks pretty tough. It's a sort of variation of the one-arm get up. Note the classic weights both in use and stacked neatly against the wall. This picture was taken while Ralph was training at Sig Klein's Gym.
Labels: Globe Barbell, One Arm Lift, Ralph Halpern, Sig Klein
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
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Two Kinds of Overhead PressSig Klein demonstrates two different kinds of overhead press: the 'strict' press on the left and more of a 'push-press' on the right. The merits of both are discussed in The Milo Bar Bell Courses.
Labels: Milo Bar Bell Courses, Milo Barbell Company, Overhead Press, Push Press, Sig Klein, Strict Press
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
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sig KleinSig Klein is proof that you don't necessarily have to be 'HUGE' to be impressive. I doubt Sig ever weighed more than 150 pounds and I don't think his arm ever stretched the tape to more than 16 inches yet few modern "strongmen" could duplicate his strength feats or muscularity.
Labels: Arm Development, Sig Klein
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
Friday, December 19, 2008
 Sig Klein at 57 years of Age | "I have always found the kettlebell to be one of the most useful and fascinating pieces of weight training apparatus. It can be handled in so many diverse manners that its application in the field of body-building exercises is almost without limit. You will have to hunt for a long time to find a more versatile piece of training equipment." - Sig Klein |
Labels: Bodybuilding, Kettlebell, kettlebell training, Sig Klein
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
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Arthur LeslieArthur Leslie was just a guy who trained at Sig Klein's Gym in New York City. The reason Leslie began training in the first place is that he became tired of being weak and overweight. At 46 years years old he had never touched a weight before but soon after he began training he began to see tremendous results. In fact his results were so dramatic, Sig Klein featured him in several occasions in his publication Klein's Bell. Here he is with a great Thick-Handled show barbell. Leslie was 59 years of age when this picture was taken.
Labels: Arthur Leslie, Globe Barbell, Kleins Bell, Sig Klein, Sig Kleins Gym, Thick Handle
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
Friday, December 12, 2008
| Sig Klein inherited much of his great equipment when he married Professor Attila's daughter and took over his gym in New York. Of course, Sig had pretty good taste in equipment anyway often having custom-made barbells, dumbbells and kettlebells made. |  Sig Klein |
Labels: Globe Barbell, Kettlebell, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Professor Attila, Sig Klein
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
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
I've shown plenty of shots of the inside of Sig Klein's Gym but here's a rare shot of the outside. Klein's Gym was located at 717 Seventh Avenue and was hard to miss with the huge picture of Sig out front.
Klein's GymLabels: Classic Gym, Classic Strongman Gyms, New York, Sig Klein, Sig Kleins Gym
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
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sig Klein Climbing Rope ChinsLike every great strongman, Sig Klein employed a variety of exercises to build his strength. Here's one of his favorites for building grip power: chin ups on a thick climbing rope. This rope looks to be about 2-inches thick making any number of chin ups quite a challenge.
Labels: 2" Climbing Rope., Arm Exercise, Chin Ups, Climbing Rope Exercise, Climbing Ropes, Rope Chin Ups, Rope Climbing, Sig Klein
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
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
For over four decades, Sig Klein owned and ran his famous gym in downtown New York city and something that he did for a while was put out his own newsletter: "Klein's Bell."
This short 4-8 page publication was distributed to members of Klein's gym and highlighted training articles, physique photography and any other topics of interest and it was actually a pretty radical idea for the time. This is the cover of the August 1932 issue featuring the "15-inch Arm Club" - Also goes to show you don't need a huge arm to be impressive.
Klein's Bell ran for 19 issues although in 1933 it merged with Alan Calvert's THE STRONGMAN Magazine
Labels: Alan Calvert, Cover, Kleins Bell, Muscle Magazine, Sig Klein
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
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Yes, we have shown it before but Sig Klein's gym never goes out of style.
Here's another shot clearly showing the rich, oak panneling, great collection of oldtime globe barbells and antique weights and the Persian rug on the floor (better take your shoes off before you train at Sig's place!)
This shot was taken before Sig had a shelf built around the perimeter of the gym for his world-famous beer stein collection.
Sig Klein's GymHere's another shot clearly showing the rich, oak panneling, great collection of oldtime globe barbells and antique weights and the Persian rug on the floor (better take your shoes off before you train at Sig's place!)
This shot was taken before Sig had a shelf built around the perimeter of the gym for his world-famous beer stein collection.
Labels: Antique Equipment, Classic Gym, Classic Strongman Gyms, Globe Barbell, Sig Klein, Sig Kleins Gym
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, May 26, 2008
| Sig Klein came up with a number of innovative training ideas. One day he took the board he had often used for the Tomb of Hercules Feat, chained it to the wall and devised an early version of the "Leg Press" machine. He eventually discarded this design as the resistance decreased too much at the top of the movement due to the physics involved. |  The Leg Press |
Labels: Equipment, Exercise, Exercise Machine, Leg Press Machine, Sig Klein, The Leg Press, Tomb of Hercules, Vintage Strength Equipment
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
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Bob Harley Bob Harley, of Sig Klein's Gym was one of the world's greatest masters of the bent press. In fact, Bob Harley was the winner of the New York City Bent Press contest and was one of the few men to bent press the Rolandow Dumbbell.
Labels: Bent Press, Bent Press Feat, Bob Harley, Rolandow Dumbbell, Sig Klein, Strength Feat
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
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
| A look at Sig Klein using the Roman Column at his famous gym. It was actually Sig's father-in-law Professor Attila who invented the Roman Column. The Roman Column was actually used more as a demonstration of strength than as a means of developing strength. When used for strength feats, the performer would lower his body directly to the ground, pick up a weight and then sit up with it. Eugen Sandow was a master at this strength feat. |  Sig Klein's Roman Column |
Labels: Abdominal Strength, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Professor Attila, Roman Column, Sig Klein, Sig Kleins Gym, Strongman Equipment, Training Equipment
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
Friday, May 09, 2008
Sig Klein Demonstrates The One Arm GetupSig Klein demonstrates one of most popular of the "oldtime" lifts: the one arm getup (also called the Turkish getup.)
This was a favorite lift of the vaudeville performers of yesteryear who performed it with live weight, dumbbell or kettlebell as shown here. The athlete begins with back flat on the floor and the weight pressed to arm's length. Then, through a series of movements, ends up with standing with the weight overhead.
Some performers did not consider the lift completed until the sequence was reversed. This lift requires great stamina and a good sense of balance.
Labels: Balance, Kettlebell Lift, Oldtime Strongman Exercise, One Arm Getup, Sig Klein, Turkish Getup
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
Thursday, April 10, 2008
| The era of Strongmanism, several generations ago, used to feature many strongman stunts that baffled and amazed the public. Here's a rare shot of one of the feats performed by Sig Klein and his stage partner Jack Bier. Here Sig holds a Neck Bridge while holding a globe barbell at arm's length as his partner stands on his chest. -- that's several hundred exta pounds supported by Sig Klein's neck alone. Having accomplished a similar feat, I can say this is NOT easy! |  Sig Klein's Neck Bridge Feat |
Labels: Feat, Globe Barbell, Jack Bier, Kettlebell, Neck Bridge, Oldtime Strongman Feat, Sig Klein, Strongmanism, Supporting Feat
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
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Another Look At Sig Klein's Gym What a place to train! -- Here's another look at Sig Klein's Gym located in Times Square, downtown New York.
The thing that makes a gym truly great is the atmosphere -- and Sig's place had it. You can just tell that many great workouts took place here.
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbells, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Sig Klein, Sig Kleins Gym, Strongman Equipment
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
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Sig Klein's Gym You've seen Sig Klein's Gym plenty of times on thsi Blog before, but I guarantee you've never seen it from this angle. This candid shot was actually reflected in a mirror. That's the old master Sig Klein in the middle, teaching someone how to use the gymnastic rings.
To the right, you can just make out Steve Reeves.
Klein's Gym sure had a lot of character, plenty of dark wood and globe dumbbells. Notice the Sandow and Saxon statues and Klein's world famous beer stein collection.
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Gymnastic Rings, Sandow Statue, Saxon Statue, Sig Klein, Sig Kleins Gym, Steve Reeves
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
Friday, February 01, 2008
The Famous Rolandow DumbbellThe Rolandow Dumbbell has a very interesting history. It was originally cast by the McLoughlin Iron Foundry in Brooklyn, New York in 1896 at the request of Warren Lincoln Travis who wanted to use it in his act.
The dumbbell was supposed to be 200 lbs. but came out of the mold just over it at 209lbs.
A few years went by and fellow strongman G.W. Rolandow offered to purchase it from Travis, on the condition that Travis deliver the bell himself.
Travis grabbed the bell, hopped on the nearest street car, transfered twice and carried the bell two blocks and up two flights of steps to Rolandow's office.
Rolandow then stated that unless he could lift the dumbbell, there would be no sale. And with that, we walked over to it, hefted it to his shoulder and commenced to bent-press it no less than seven times!
After several decades, Rolandow closed his gym and his famous dumbbell eventually became acquired by Sig Klein who featured it as a challenge weight in his gym.
If someone could succeed in bent-pressing the Rolandow Dumbbell, Klein put their name on an Honor Roll, here's how it looked:
(1) G.W. Rolandow...................1900
(2) John Grimek.........................1934
(3) Bob Hoffman........................1936
(4) Wally Zagurski..................1936
(5) John Davis............................1936
(6) Jack Kent..........................1937
(7) Frank Bates........................1937
(8) Bob Harley.........................1937
(9) Siegmund Klein...................1939
(10) Aurele Velleux..................1939
(11) George Hobby...................1940
(12) Elwood Holbrook...............1941
Labels: Bent Press, Challenge Weight, Famous Dumbbell, G.W. Rolandow, Globe Dumbbell, John Davis, Rolandow Dumbbell, Sig Klein, Sig Kleins Gym, Strongman Equipment, Wally Zagurski, Warren Lincoln Travis
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
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Sig Klein Demonstrates The Tiger Bend PushupSig Klein was a master of many bodyweight feats in addition to his weight lifting prowess. He credits the Tiger Bend Pushup for taking his overhead press to championship levels. The tiger bend pushup is also one of the best supplementary exercises for building hand balancing skill.
Labels: Bodyweight Training, Exercise, Hand Balancing, Overhead Press, Pushup, Sig Klein, Tiger Bend Pushup
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
The Roman ColumnAs mentioned several times on this blog, it was Professor Attila who invented the Roman Column.
Shown here, the Roman Column is an actual column in which the traineee hangs suspended vertially and moves to a horizontal position using the power of his legs and abdominal muscles.
Eugen Sandow used to perform this feat either holding a heavy barbell or a human being.
On the left is the original Roman Column, in one corner of Sig Klein's Time's Square Gym.
Labels: Equipment, Eugen Sandow, Professor Attila, Roman Column, Sig Klein, Sig Kleins Gym, Strongman Equipment, Vintage Strength Equipment
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
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Rolandow BarbellThe Rolandow Barbell once belonged to the Swiss Strongman G.W. Rolandow who would bent-press it each night in his performance. This barbell has been lifted by many famous strongmen, including Eugen Sandow.
The Rolandow Barbell has had many famous owners over the years. It was purchased by Professor Attila, then Sig Klein (as shown). The Rolandow Barbell can currently be seen in the York Barbell Company Museum in York, Pennsylvania.
Labels: Barbell, Bent Press, Challenge Weight, Eugen Sandow, Famous Barbell, G.W. Rolandow, Professor Attila, Rolandow Barbell, Sig Klein, York Barbell Company Museum
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
Saturday, December 01, 2007
 An "Ice Cold" Strength Feat | Joe Mongelli, a former pupil of Sig Klein, was an iceman by trade. He could carry a 325 pound block of ice on his back, then, using ice tongs, could pick up a 120 pound block of ice with his right hand and a 60 pound block with his left. Joe could walk the length of a city block carrying the entire 505 pound load! |
Labels: Joe Mongelli, Odd Object Lifting, Sig Klein, Strongman Feat, Supporting Feat
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
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
 Sig Klein | It was through Sig Klein's Kettlebell course that I first learned how to train with kettlebells -- and that was over a decade and a half ago -- a long time before "kettlebell" became a household word. I think Sig had the right idea -- he was very proficient in a number of different strength "disciplines" - weight lifting, kettlebell lifting, gymnastics, hand balancing, and all along with an incredible physique to match his great strength. |
Labels: Gymnastics, Hand Balancing, Kettlebell, kettlebell lifting, Sig Klein, 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
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
 Sig Klein Demonstrates The 1-Leg Squat | The 1-leg squat has long been a popular exercise with the old-time physical culturists -- Sig Klein recommended it as one of the top leg developing exercises. Here's a look at Sig Klein demonstrating the 1-leg squat while holidng a classic globe barbell. |
Labels: 1 Leg Squat, Globe Barbell, Leg Development, Sig Klein, Squat, Strongman Feat
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
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
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, October 22, 2007
Sig Klein One Arm Dumbbell PressThe One Arm Dumbbell Press is a great power builder for the shoulders and upper body. -- You should include it in your program and work up to well over a hundred pounds. Here's a look at the great Sig Klein pressing an old Milo Globe Dumbbell. At a bodyweight of only 150 pounds, Sig Klein could do a ten reps with each arm in a 'see-saw' press with a pair of 100 lb. dumbbells.
Labels: Globe Dumbbells, Milo Barbell Company, Oldtime Strongman, Overhead Press, Sig Klein, Strongman Equipment, Strongman Feat
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
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Louis Durlacher aka Professor Attila It was Louis Durlacher aka Professor Attila who trained a young Fredrick Mueller and changed his name to Eugen Sandow.
It was also Professor Attila who invented many of the feats of strength we know today, such as the Roman Column, the Roman Chair, supporting feats in the human bridge position, tearing packs of playing cards; and the the hollow globe-ended barbells and dumbbells we know today.
Attila was also the first man to bent press over 200 pounds and in addition to Sandow, Professor Attila could also list many other famous strongmen among his students:
Including: Warren Lincoln Travis, Anthony Barker, Horace Barre, Arthur Dandurand, Lionel Strongfort, George Rolandow, Louis Cyr, Bobby Pandour and Adolph Nordquest.
In 1894, Professor opened his famous Studio of Physical Culture in downtown New York city. His daughter, Grace, later married Sig Klein.
If Eugen Sandow was the "Father" of Oldtime Strongmen, surely Professor Attila, was the Grandfather.
Labels: Bent Press, Eugen Sandow, Globe Barbell, Louis Durlacher, Oldtime Strongman, Professor Attila, Roman Chair, Roman Column, Sig Klein, Strongman Equipment, Strongman Feat
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
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Sig Klein's Classic Old-Time GymHere's another look at one of the classc gyms we have featured before: Sig Klein's place in New York City. This was the original location -- he moved into a facility overlooking Times Square later on.
Notice the mirror on the right revealing a set of globe barbells on the far wall, block and ring weights in the foreground and you can just make out a Roman Column on the extreme left.
There's nothing like Classic Equipment to make your training special. You can tell a lot of great workouts happened down at Sig's Place.
Sig Klein inherited much of the equipment after he married Professor Attila's youngest daughter in 1927. Professor Attila, of course, was the man who taught Eugen Sandow how to train.
Labels: Blockweights, Classic Strongman Gyms, Eugen Sandow, Globe Barbell, Oldtime Strongman, Professor Attila, Sig Klein, Strongman Equipment
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
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Sig Klein was one of the most recognizable of the Old Time Strongmen, because of his classical physique as well as his great strength.
Though he ever tipped the scales over 150 pounds, many of his strength feats still stand the test of time and would be impressive if he weighed twice that.
Though he ever tipped the scales over 150 pounds, many of his strength feats still stand the test of time and would be impressive if he weighed twice that.
Here's a look: 1. Two arm pullover and press off his back with 288 lbs. 2. Two arm military press from behind the neck with 206 lbs. 3. Two arm dumbbell crucifix: 63.25 lbs. left hand, 63.5 lbs. right hand 4. One arm stiff-legged side press, 174.25 lbs. 5. Ten reps each arm 'see-saw' press with a pair of 100 lb. dumbbells |  Sig Klein |
Labels: Globe Barbell, Sig Klein, Strongman, Strongman Feat
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
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.
Previous Posts
Featured Products
Monthly Archives
Not yet a member? Subscribe now to receive daily doses of Strongman history, training tips, and site updates!
Copyright © 2010 Thunderdome Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved