Friday, January 29, 2010
The Nautilus Infi-Metric Bench PressThe Infi-Metric was an interesting training concept which was pioneered by Arthur Jones. It involved pitting the strength of two body parts against each other. In the case of the Infi-Metric Bench Press machine shown here, as trainee pressed up one handle, the opposite handle lowered. This allowed one to train in a negative fashion in a very safe and productive manner. Because of the angles involved, it was also possible to get a stronger contraction in the chest muscles. Those who used this style of training correctly got great results, eventually becoming so strong that they bent the steel of the movement arm!
Labels: Arthur Jones, Casey Viator, Infi-Metric, Nautilus, Nautilus Machines, Strength machine
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
Casey Viator, The Colorado ExperimentA rare look at Casey Viator training during the Colorado Experiment. Many of the machines used during the Colorado Experiment revolved around "negative" training techniques. The one Casey is using, for example, was an overhead press machine. On the right is the infamous "Mr. Happiness" negative bench press machine. Both of these machines were prototypes and never made it to actual production.
Labels: Casey Viator, Nautilus Machines, Negative Training, Omni Machines, Strength machine, The Colorado Experiment
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 01, 2009
The Spalding Grip MachineWhat is lost upon many people is that "machines" have as much of a history with strength training as barbells and dumbbells do. Shown here is an interesting piece, The Spalding Grip Machine, circa 1914. This looks like a very well designed machine, one that would be just as effective (and important) nearly a century later.
Labels: Grip Machine, Grip Strength, Hand Strength, Hand Strength Equipment, Machine, Spalding, Spalding Grip Machine, Strength machine, Vintage Strength Equipment, Vintage Strength Machines
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, September 26, 2009
The Nautilus Duo-Squat MachineThere's no question that the barbell squat is a fantastic exercise for building size and strength, yet it still has its disadvantages. The Nautilus Duo-Squat Machine was created to address some of those disadvantages.
Namely, same great results but no heavy barbell on the back, no danger of being trapped under a weight if you can't make a rep and the "reverse cam" solves the leverage issue at the top of the movement allowing you to hit even more muscle fibers than you normally could. If you are still skeptical, I recommend trying it out (if you can find one) before you pass judgment. Use it correctly and you might just be surprised...(Photo courtesy of Michael Petrella)
Labels: Leg Workout, Nautilus Duo Squat Machine, Nautilus Machines, Squat Machine, Strength machine
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 22, 2009
The Nautilus Hip and Back MachineShown here is the Nautilus Hip and Back machine, as demonstrated by 1971 Mr. America Casey Viator. It's a real shame that so many people do not take the time to understand what some machines are capable of insofar as their training results are concerned.
This particular model, for example, is a superior way to train the musculature of the hips and lower back, without the drawbacks of the barbell squat -- something which no other exercise or training method is able to duplicate as efficiently.
The Nautilus Hip and Back machine was in production in the early 70s, well before some of the well-known low-back developers of today. Due to its design, this Nautilus version also avoided the shearing forces of the highly promoted modern versions as well.
Labels: 1971 Mr. America, Casey Viator, Low Back Machine, Nautilus, Nautilus Hip and Back, Nautilus Machines, Strength machine
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 16, 2009
The Nautilus Double Chest MachineIt's a real shame that machines get such a bad rap these days. The fact of the matter is that the whole 'point' of a machine is to gain a training advantage which can't be had any other way.
Here's a great example: the Nautilus Double Chest Machine. The upper "fly" portion of the machine thoroughly pre-exhausts the chest muscles and then the trainee can immediately switch right into the decline press movement. Both exercises allow the upper arms to be in a position where the pectorals are fully contracted.
If you have access to this machine, count yourself lucky, there aren't many around.
(Photo courtesy of Michael Petrella)
Labels: Chest Exercise, Fly, Nautilus, Nautilus Double Chest, Nautilus Machines, Negative Training, Pre-Exhaust, Strength machine
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, March 12, 2009
The Hammer Strength Neck MachineEveryone should train their neck, but it is especially important if you play football. The Hammer Strength neck machine is the best one I have ever used -- and I've tried 'em all. Do it strict with no monkey business and you'll go up a few collar sizes in no time.
Labels: Build Neck Strength, Hammer Strength, Hammer Strength Neck Machine, Neck Development, Neck Machine, Neck Strength, Strength machine
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, March 04, 2009
The Schmidt Automatic ExerciserOne of Professor Adrian Schmidt's lasting contributions to the Iron Game is a ingenius piece of training equipment known as "The Schmidt Automatic Exerciser" or the "Schmidt Machine" for short. It consisted of a handle and small hinged frame attached to a globed weight.
Using the leverage principle, someone could use a fairly light weight yet increase the relative resistance to several hundred pounds or more. This enabled someone to be able to lift very "heavy" weights without actually needing to own heavy weights, making the machine portable and efficient -- and perfect for getting in a quick workout.
Labels: Adrian Schmidt, Automatic Exerciser, Professor Schmidt, Schmidt Machine, Strength machine, 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
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Nautilus Compound Leg MachineThe 'point' of any tool is to give yourself an advantage that could not otherwise be had... in this case, a machine which will allow a for the performance of a specialized training technique: pre-exhaust.
The Nautilus compound Leg Machine combined a leg extension with a leg press, allowing a trainee to move from one exercise to the next in the quickest possible time -- and creating one of the most intense leg workouts ever devised.
Labels: Casey Viator, Leg Development, Leg Workout, Nautilus, Nautilus Compound Leg Machine, Nautilus Machines, Strength machine
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 04, 2009
The Hammer Strength Leg PressThe Hammer Strength Leg Press is the very best leg press that I've ever used. This machine can also be an excellent alternative to the squat for building leg strength. Consider yourself lucky if you can find one though.
Labels: Hammer Strength, Hammer Strength Leg Press, Leg Development, Leg Press, Leg Press Machine, Leg Strength, Strength machine, The Leg 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
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Nautilus Pullover 1969 AAU Mr. America Boyer Coe pictured with a vintage Nautilus Pullover circa 1972.
The Nautilus Pullover took the strength world by storm in the early 1970's and it will work just as well today -- provided it's used correctly. A few hard sets (per week) will build incredible back and upper-body development, again, if it's used correctly.
There aren't many pullovers of this generation left these days, if you have access to one, consider yourself lucky.
Labels: Boyer Coe, Mr. America, Nautilus, Nautilus Machines, Nautilus Pullover, Strength machine
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, March 28, 2008
Sandow's Pushup MachineHere's Eugen Sandow (about as "Oldtime" as you can get) back in 1902, using a unique training machine of his own design -- using chest expander strands, Sandow devised a machine which could add resistance to the simple pushup, thus making it a more intense exercise.
Labels: Eugen Sandow, Oldtime Strength Equipment, Pushup, Pushup Machine, Strength machine, Training Equipment, Unusual Training Equipment, Vintage Strength Machines
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, March 24, 2008
The Hammer Strength Squat MachineIf you're a "free-weight" guy, don't be affraid of machines - there are several that can benefit your routine greatly when used right. Here's one of them, and one of the best leg workouts you'll ever get: The Hammer Strength Squat Machine.
Use one if you can find it, or get one for your home gym, if you happen to have a lot of room -- this one's over 10 feet tall!
Labels: Hammer Strength, Hammer Strength Squat Machine, Leg Workout, Squat Machine, Strength machine
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 14, 2008
| It's really too bad that many people have closed minds about "machines" -- this is the one that can change strength history: The Hammer Strength Hip and Back Machine. I say this because while squatting or deadlifting, the "weak link" will often be the strength of the lower back. |  The Hammer Strength Hip and Back Machine |
I don't believe it is even still in production as most people misunderstood what it was for and how to use it. Consequently it gathered dust at most gyms. If you ever happen to find one, do yourself a favor and grab it quickly.
Labels: Back Exercise, Hammer Strength, Hip and Back, Hip and Leg Strength, Low Back Machine, Strength machine
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 28, 2007
 Oldtime Pullover | I've recently read in a few places that there were "no such thing" as machines back when the oldtime strongmen trained... Here's an oldtime pullover (used for expanding the ribcage and deepening the chest) which was installed at Hemenway Gymnasium circa 1885. |
Labels: Equipment, Hemenway Gymnasium, Physical Culture Equipment, Pullover, Strength machine, Training Equipment, Vintage Strength Machines
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