Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Les WilloughbyLes Willoughby, the great light-heavyweight British weightlifter, is shown here about to perform the 2-dumbbell press, one of the seven best power building exercises.
His best performance in this lift was a press of 230 pounds for two reps. He could also press 245 lbs., snatch 242-1/2 lbs. clean & jerk 330 pounds and just may have done some squatting in his day.
Labels: British Champion, British Strongman, Dumbbell Press, Leg Development, Les Willoughby, Snatch, Two Dumbbell Press
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Monday, August 17, 2009
Young Steve StankoSteve Stanko is shown here snatching 260 pounds on his way to winning the 1938 Junior Nationals in Cleveland, Ohio. Just 20 years old at the time, it was clear that big things were in store for Steve Stanko... Five years later he became the first man to break the 1000-pound barrier in the three Olympic Lifts, eight years later he became Mr. America and eleven years later, the first Mr. Universe.
John Davis looks on from the right. Just 17 years old Davis had just won the light-heavyweight class with an 810 lb total, showing more than a little promise himself...
Labels: 1000 Pound Barrier, 1944 Mr. America, 1947 Mr. Universe, John Davis, Junior Nationals, Mr. Universe, Olympic Weightlifting, Snatch, Steve Stanko
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Thursday, August 06, 2009
Henry "Milo" SteinbornHenry "Milo" Steinborn was one of the first, and perhaps the first man to squat with 500 lbs. He was also able to one-hand snatch 220 lbs., one-hand clean & jerk 265 lbs., snatch 265 lbs. and perform a one-leg squat with a 192 lb. barbell held at his chest - all amazing numbers, even today.
Labels: German Strongman, Henry Milo Steinborn, One Arm Clean and Jerk, one arm snatch, One Leg Squat, Snatch, Squat
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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
Francois LancoudThe Swiss Weightlifter and Strongman Francois Lancoud became the second World Weightlifting Champion on October 5th, 1903, at an event held at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, France. Among his winning lifts were a snatch of 231-1/2 lbs. and a clean & jerk of 292 lbs. The German strongman Heinrich Schneidereit finished second and the Belgian lifter Gustave Empain finishing third.
Labels: 1903 World Championships, Clean and Jerk, Francois Lancoud, Gustave Empain, Heinrich Schneidereit, Snatch, Swiss Strongman, weightlifter
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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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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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The Greatest Lift of All TimeOn April 28th, 1962 Norb Schemansky accomplish this lift - a 362 lb. snatch - which was called 'The Greatest Lift of All Time'.
Of note are the iron weights. Norb often says that Olympic weightlifters were stronger back in his day even if they are lifting heavier weights today. The reason was that back then, with iron weights, lifters had to control the heavy weights they lifted overhead back to the rack position at the chest and then back to the floor. This made the handling of heavier weights that much easier. Today, with bumper plates, lifters simply drop their lifts from the top position, thus robbing themselves of much of the benefits (and strength gains). Certainly something to think about...
Labels: Norb Schemansky, Record, Record Lift, Snatch
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Two-Arm SnatchThe Two-Arm Snatch as demonstrated by Johnny Terpak. At the time that this sequence of photos was taken Terpak was the holder of the middleweight and light heavyweight American records, having snatched 260 lbs. at a bodyweight of only 160 lbs. Terpak was an eleven-time Senior National Weightlifting champion, a record in itself.
Labels: John Terpak, Olympic Lifting, Olympic Weightlifting, Olympic Weightlifting Exercise, Snatch, Two Arm Snatch
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Sunday, April 05, 2009
Milo SteinbornOn October 19th, 1921, at Hermann's Gym in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Alan Calvert, George Zottman and others witnessed Henry "Milo" Steinborn perform the following lifts:
He concluded these lifts with six full squats with 402 pounds... even more impressive from the standpoint that he loaded and unloaded the barbell onto his shoulders unassisted!
Labels: Alan Calvert, Clean and Jerk, George Zottman, Henry Milo Steinborn, Hermann's Gym, One hand Snatch, Snatch, Squat
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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
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Noel Le GauloisThe French strongman Noel Le Gaulois was the man to beat at certain lifts in the late 19th century. At the Brussels exhibition of 1897, he performed a two-arm snatch with 220 pounds, a 253-pound two-arm jerk and a 143-pound one-arm snatch... All lifts which would still be respectable a century later.
He could also lift a full wine barrel. Like many strongmen of the period, he was also a very good wrestler. Later on, Le Gaulois owned a café/gymnasium which was the gathering place for the famous strongmen of the day.
Labels: Barrel Lifting, French Strongman, Globe Barbell, Jerk, Noel Le Gaulois, Oldtime Strongman, one arm snatch, Snatch
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Sunday, January 04, 2009
Rigoulot's BarbellOne of the most famous barbells in history is the special weight that Charles Rigoulot made his 314-pound snatch and 402-pound clean-and-jerk. Andy Jackson, manufacturer of the famous Jackson Olympic-type Barbells, is here shown with a copy of the famous Rigoulot barbell made up for the strongman 'Sailor' Jim White. The bar is 9' in length, the revolving globes are 18-inches in diameter.
Labels: Andy Jackson, Challenge Weight, Charles Rigoulot, Clean and Jerk, Famous Barbell, Globe Barbell, Jackson Barbell Company, Snatch
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Saturday, August 23, 2008
John Davis The great John Davis snatching his personal best of 330-1/2 pounds at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.
Labels: 1952 Olympics, John Davis, Record, Snatch
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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
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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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 12, 2008
Dave Sheppard Training at The York GymOne of the greatest gyms of all time was the old York gym on Broad street. An untold number of champions trained there, among them Dave Sheppard, shown here practicing his high pulls with 360 pounds.
Sheppard used a wide grip, as if snatching, and pulled the weight high enough to touch his chest lightly on each rep. This was one of the key exercises that allowed him to snatch 316-1/2 pounds at a bodyweight of 190 pounds.
John Davis looks on as he waits his turn to lift.
Labels: Broad Street Gym, Classic Strongman Gyms, Dave Sheppard, High Pull, John Davis, Snatch, York Gym
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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
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Chuck VinciChuck Vinci was another great olympic weightlifter from York, Pennsylvania. Though he stood only 4'11" and weighed 123 pounds, he could clean & jerk well over 300 pounds and snatch 220+.
Vinci was a Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (1956 and 1960), Seven-time world Senior National Champion (1954-1956,1958-1961) and set Twelve World Records during his career.
Labels: 1956 Olympics, 1960 Olympics, Chuck Vinci, Clean and Jerk, Gold Medal, Olympic Weightlifting, Snatch, weightlifter, weightlifting, York Pennsylvania
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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
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Paul Anderson Winning the 1956 Melbourne OlympicsWith this lift, Paul Anderson won the Gold Medal in the heavyweight class at the 1956Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia.
It sure didn't come easy...
Big Paul was suffering from an ear infection at the time which caused him to lose his balance and stagger once he had the weight overhead, thus missing several lifts he would normally make with ease.
Here's how he ended the day:
Though he totaled, 1101 pounds, it was far from his best. Still, it was a gold medal winning performance, and one that cemented his name in the history books.
Labels: Bench Press, Clean and Jerk, Gold Medal, Oldtime Strongman Feat, Olympics, Paul Anderson, Snatch, Total, 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, December 02, 2007
| 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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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, 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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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Doug Hepburn was born in Vancouver B.C. on September 16th, 1927. He was of average height and build and took up weight lifting to bulk up.
Soon it became apparent that Doug wasn't so average after all --- he began to progress very quickly in his training.
Although he had a slight handicap (a club foot) that did not stop him from becoming one of the most powerful men in history. He became a Senior World Champion in 1953 and set eight World Records during his career.
Soon it became apparent that Doug wasn't so average after all --- he began to progress very quickly in his training.
Although he had a slight handicap (a club foot) that did not stop him from becoming one of the most powerful men in history. He became a Senior World Champion in 1953 and set eight World Records during his career.
| Here's a look at some of his best lifts: Right Hand Military Press - 175 Pounds Two Hands Press (Off Rack) - 440 Pounds Behind Neck Press - 350 Pounds Two Hands Curl - 260 Pounds Bench Press - 580 Pounds Jerk-Press (Off Rack) 500 Pounds Two Hands Snatch - 297-1/2 Pounds Two Hands Clean & Press - 381 Pounds Squat - 760 Pounds Two Hands Deadlift - 705 Pounds |  Doug Hepburn |
Labels: Bench Press, Canadian Strongman, Clean and Jerk, Curl, Deadlift, Doug Hepburn, Jerk, Military Press, Oldtime Strongman, Olympic Weightlifting, Overhead Press, Snatch, Squat, 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
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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
Friday, September 28, 2007
Oldtime Dumbbell Training With John GrimekHere's a nice little dumbbell workout by John Grimek:
1. Two Hands Snatch w/dumbbells
2. Upright Rowing Motion
3. Side Bends
4. Shoulder Shrug
5. Lateral Raise
6. Dumbbell Swing
Grimek was using a pair of adjustable York Dumbbells but feel free to use a solid pair if that's what you have. You can find out more about some of the ways that Grimek trained in The Mark Berry Bar-Bell Courses
Labels: Dumbbell Shrug, Dumbbell Swing, Dumbbell Workout, Dumbbells, Dumbbells Row, Equipment, John Grimek, Lateral Raise, Sidebends, Snatch, Strongman Equipment, Workout
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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
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Karl SwobodaAn Austrian by birth, Karl Swoboda was one of the early strength "Giants" -- literally. Swoboda eventually reached a bodyweight of over 400 lbs. He owned his own restaurant and did plenty of lifting back in the "bier garden."
Of course, his tremendous strength also matched his great bodyweight. Here's a look at some of his best marks:
You can read more about Karl Swoboda in Physical Training Simplified by Mark Berry and The Truth Abut Weight Lifting by Alan Calvert
Labels: Jerk, Karl Swoboda, Oldtime Strongman, Overhead Press, Snatch, 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
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