Tuesday, September 01, 2009
The Australian Strongman Don Athaldo is yet another example of the many strongmen who have performed "The Human Link". Athaldo was at his best in the early 1930's.
Labels: Australian Strongman, Classic Strongman Feats, Don Athaldo, Human Link, Tendon Strength
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 24, 2009
One of the most interesting training techniques of the Oldtime Strongmen is to use short-range movements with very heavy weights. This not only gives a super workout for the muscles, but strengthens the tendons and gives the psychological boost of being able to lift far above what you would normally be able to.
Here's John Grimek, training his legs by performing Hip Lifts with what looks like 600 lbs. or so. To find out more about how Grimek trained, you'll want to pick up a copy of the Mark Berry Bar Bell Courses (with this famous picture on the cover).
Labels: Grimek Exercise, Heavy Partial Movements, Hip Lift, John Grimek, Leg Exercise, Mark Berr Bar Bell Courses, Mark Berry, Tendon and Ligament Training, Tendon Strength
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
Hans Kavan was a little-known strongman from the 1920's who was known as 'The German Hercules.' Here's his signature feat: The Human Link feat performed with two horses on each arm, pulling in opposite directions and threatening to tear him limb from limb.
Labels: German Strongman, Hans Kavan, Human Link, Supporting Feat, Tendon Strength, The German Hercules
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 18, 2008
A "secret weapon" of many strength athletes is specific training for tendons and ligaments using very heavy supports. Here Olympic Champion weight lifter Chuck Vinci does heavy supports in the rack position with 500 pounds. Chuck Vinci set twelve world records in his career so he knew a thing or two about getting strong.
Labels: Chuck Vinci, Olympic Weightlifting, Supporting Feat, Tendon and Ligament Training, Tendon Strength
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, October 17, 2007
You'll often see them sitting in the foreground of pictures of Oldtime Gyms.
The Ring Weight shown below belonged to The Young Mighty Apollon aka J.C. Tolson.
The Young Mighty Apollon's Challenge Ring Weight | His challenge was to lift it overhead using nothing but your little finger... a tremendous feat of tendon strength. Thousands of well-known athletes tried and failed, save "The Young Mighty Apollon" who could perform the feat with inhuman ease. |
Labels: Grip Strength, J.C. Tolson, Kettlebell, Ring Weights, Single Finger Lifts, Strongman Equipment, Strongman Feat, Tendon Strength, Young Apollon
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.

Don Athaldo: The Human Link
The Hip Lift
Hans Kavan: The German Hercules
Tendon and Ligament Training: Chuck Vinci
The Young Mighty Apollon's 