Monday, December 21, 2009
Joe ZimmermanJoe Zimmerman and his brother Dick were Bob Hoffman's neighbors in York, Pennsylvania and they hung around the York Barbell Company office doing crazy feats of strength. Here's Joe performing a hand stand on some boxes -- which is tough enough by itself -- but he is also lifting the 202-pound Louis Cyr Dumbbell in his teeth at the same time!
Labels: Bob Hoffman, Feat, Hand Balancing, handstand, Jaw Strength, Joe Zimmerman, Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell, York Barbell Company
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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, November 09, 2009
Happy Birthday Bob Hoffman!A very Happy Birthday to Bob Hoffman who was born on this date back in 1898. Bob grew up on a farm in Tifton, Georgia and always appreciated the value of a hard day's work. It was certainly no lack of effort which allowed him to build The York Barbell Company which taught (and continues to teach) thousands upon thousands of people the thrill of strength.
Labels: Bob Hoffman, Cover, Magazine, Strength and Health Magazine, York Barbell Company
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Friday, October 02, 2009
Gord VenablesA look at one of the original "York Gang" Gord Venables as he demonstrates the overhead squat, a movement you will have to master if you want to become an Olympic Weightlifter. At that contest, Gord finished third with a 710 pound total (behind Ellwood Holbrook and Bill Bush of Cincinnati).
For years, Veenables also had a monthly column in Strength and Health Magazine entitled "Incredible But True!" which highlighted amazing feats of strength throughout history and the world.
Labels: Barbell Exercise, Gord Venables, Overhead Squat, Senior Nationals, York Barbell Company, York Gang
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Monday, August 31, 2009
The York Leg Developing Course"A man is as good as his legs" ... so began one of the all-time classic training booklets: "The York Leg Developing Course" written by Bob Hoffman. Originally written back in 1943, the training information is just as pertinent -- and effective -- these days. As you might guess, squats were prominently featured.
Labels: Bob Hoffman, John Grimek, Leg Development, Leg Work, Leg Workout, Squat, Training Course, York Barbell Company, York Leg Course, York Leg Developing Course
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
John Grimek and Classic WeightsWhen you work at the York Barbell Company you get to lift some classic weights any time you want to. Here's John Grimek about to do just that. The top one is the famous Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell. The middle one is a giant dumbbell which belonged to the great French strongman Apollon. Dave Sheppard can be seen lifting that one here and I can be found using it here. You can see Grimek using the bottom one here.
Labels: Apollon, Apollon's Dumbbell, Classic Equipment, Globe Barbell, Globe Dumbbell, John Grimek, Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell, York Barbell Company
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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
York 45-Pound Deep Dish Barbell PlatesThese unique plates were manufactured by the York Barbell Company in the 50's and 60's. They are particularly rare today and greatly valued by collectors. They not only look cool, but are very useful for a variety of interesting exercises such as hub lifting, pinch lifting and the Steve Reeves Deadlift.
The move to slimmer 45-pound plates actually came about from the increase in interest in powerlifting - specifically the deadlift - some very strong lifters couldn't fit enough of the Deep Dish plates on the bar!
Labels: 45 Pound Plate, Barbell Plate, Deadlift, Powerlifting, York Barbell Company, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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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, August 04, 2009
Strength and Health Magazine, March, 1934The great weightlifter Art Levan on the cover of the March, 1934 issue of Strength and Health Magazine.
This is one heck of an issue: Check out the lineup of strength authors: George Jowett, Earle E. Liederman, Harry Good, Bob Hoffman and Professor Paulinetti.
Labels: Art Levan, Bob Hoffman, Cover, Earle E. Liederman, George Jowett, Harry Good, Magazine, Professor Paulinetti, Strength and Health Magazine, York Barbell Company
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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
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
York Simplex Weight Training SetsNeed a weight set? York has long been the standard as far as barbells and dumbbells are concerned. Here's a few of the weight sets you could have ordered back in the 1950s. There's no telling how many people built a heck of a lot of size and strength with this very equipment. This was back in the days when you could address an envelope with only "Muscletown USA" and it would be delivered promptly to Bob Hoffman in York, PA.
Labels: Barbell and Plates, Bob Hoffman, Equipment, Muscletown USA, York Barbell, York Barbell Company, York Barbells, York Weight Sets
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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, April 16, 2009
Two Masters of the Bent-PressYou never knew who might pop in for a visit at the York Barbell Company in this case, two of the great masters of the bent-press: Bert Elliott on the left and Al Beinart on the right. They were both in town for the 1963 Senior Nationals.
While at York, they couldn't help but take a crack at bent-pressing the famous Cyr Challenge Dumbbell. Each man was able to bent-press the dumbbell for two reps joining a very exclusive club of strongmen.
Labels: Al Beinart, Bent Press, Bert Elliott, Louis Cyr Challenge Dumbbell, Senior Nationals, York Barbell Company
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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
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
IsometricsIsometrics were all the rage back in the 50's and 60's. Here weightlifting and bodybuilding champion Steve Stanko gets in a quick bicep workout using the Isometric Power Rack -- looks like it's working pretty well.
Isometrics are not one of my favorite training techniques but plenty of modern day strongmen (such as Steve Justa and Dennis Rogers) use them with great success.
(Note: We do NOT have Isometric Power Racks for sale or know where you can find one.)
Labels: Arm Exercise, Dennis Rogers, Isometric Power Rack, Isometric Training, Isometrics, Power Rack, Steve Justa, Steve Stanko, York Barbell Club t-shirt, York Barbell Company, York Power Rack
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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, March 20, 2009
York Aristocrat DumbbellsYork Aristocrat Dumbbells were a pretty nifty regular feature in the pages of Strength and Health Magazine... and great for a quick workout too. The Aristocrat Dumbbells were based on an earlier design by George Jowett.
Labels: Aristocrat Dumbbells, Dumbbell Exercises, Dumbbell Training, Dumbbells, Strength and Health Magazine, York Barbell Company, York Dumbbell
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
45 lb. York Barbell PlateFor years anything manufactured by the York Barbell Company was the standard... and if you wanted quality barbell plates, they were the folks to see. Hang on to your vintage York plates, they are hard to come by.
Labels: 45 Pound Plate, York Barbell, York Barbell Company
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Thursday, March 19, 2009
Bob Hoffman's Simplified System of Swingbell TrainingBob Hoffman and the York Barbell Company produced a number of books, courses and training guides featuring their equipment. This course, written for the York swingbell was written during the early 1940s. You can make your own swingbell pretty easily out of a dumbbell handle and some plates.
Labels: Bob Hoffman, swingbell, Swingbell Exercises, Swingbell Training, Training Course, York Barbell, York Barbell Company
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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, March 15, 2009
York DumbbellsFor a long time, the solid dumbbells produced by the The York Bartbell Company were of the globe variety. Sometime around the early 80's they switched to the dumbbell shown here. This style was made until the late 90's. Today, they are quite rare. If you have any dumbbells like these, hang on to them, but don't let them just gather dust, use 'em!
Labels: Equipment, Solid Dumbbells, York Barbell, York Barbell Company, York Dumbbells, York Equipment
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Thursday, March 12, 2009
The York CalflexOne interesting training 'gizmo' from strength training yesteryear is the York Barbell Calflex. According to the literature the York Calflex allowed the tension to be increased in both directions for complete calf development. Nice.
Labels: Calf Development, Equipment, Unusual Training Equipment, York Barbell, York Barbell Company, York Calflex
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Thursday, March 05, 2009
 The York Health Shoe | "This is what the new York "IRON BOOT" is. A super leg developer. Merely strap the five pound Iron Boot on your foot and attach your adjustable dumbbell to it. There you have the most progressive leg builder ever devised. It is like being able to pick up a dumbbell with your feet. Back your legs with that snappy, springy power! No use dragging around as if your feet weighed a ton. Get speed and lightness into your stride. The Iron Boot will increase your running, jumping, gymnastics and lifting." |
Labels: Equipment, Iron Boots, Leg Development, York Barbell Company, York Health Shoe
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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
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
York Isometric Power RackIsometrics were all the rage in the 60s although you don't hear much about them these days. Here's a special rack made by The York Barbell Company created just for performing Isometrics (model W.W.) This is the very same type of rack that Bruce Lee trained on. I've actually got one out in my gym which I still train on -- still as good as ever.
(Note: We do NOT have Isometric Power Racks for sale or know where you can find one.)
Labels: Bruce Lee, Gym Equipment, Isometric Power Rack, Isometrics, Power Rack, York Barbell Company, York Power Rack
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Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Two Legends: John Grimek and The Mighty Atom I think it's safe to say that the York Barbell Company in York Pennsylvania is where everything in the strength world once came together... Here's a meeting between legendary oldtime strongman The Mighty Atom, Joe Greenstein and equally legendary bodybuilder John Grimek.
This meeting occured at the annual Pennsylvania Interstate Fair, at which the Atom performed feats of strength until well into his 70s. Here 'The Atom 'is showing John Grimek a poster from his recent series of performances back in the Motherland.
Labels: John Grimek, The MIghty Atom, York Barbell Company, 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
Friday, February 13, 2009
Globe DumbbellsFor the better part of the last century and a half, globe dumbbells and barbells were the "art form" of the Oldtime Strongman. Many were hollow, which allowed it to be filled progressively with shot to increase the weight and produce a unique training effect. Others, like this one, were solid, and just fun to train with. Several companies used to manufacture globe dumbbells: The Good Barbell Company, The Jackson Barbell Company and, of course,The York Barbell Company who made this one.
In fact, York Barbell was still producing globes like this one until well into the 1970's. Unfortunately there are no solid globe dumbbells currently being manufactured today, so if you see any, better grab them quickly because they are exceedingly rare.
Labels: Globe Dumbbell, Good Dumbbells, Jackson Barbell Company, York Barbell Company
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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, June 23, 2008
Teeth Lifting was a favorite feat of many oldtime strongmen, and this particular mouthpiece was sold by the York Barbell Company in the pages of Strength and Health Magazine Several hundred pounds can be lifted in this manner and this type of lifting will build incredible neck and jaw strength, however, we do NOT recommend this style of lifting (If you decide to do it anyway, please have a dentist onhand.)
Teeth Lifting BitLabels: Jaw Lifting, Jaw Strength, Neck Strength, Strength and Health Magazine, Teeth Lifting, Unusual Training Equipment, York Barbell Company
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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, February 18, 2008
 Hoffman's Super Hi-Proteen | I'm sure many of our viewers won't forget their first taste of Bob Hoffman's Super Hi-Proteen mix which was one of the very first commercially available food supplements. Hoffman's Super Hi-Proteen was available in standard plain, chocolate and vanilla flavors and black walnut and coconut flavors for more adventurous trainee. It was a little rough around the edges, not unlike today. Hoffman's Hi-Proteen is also responsible for many of the greatest "blender bomb" stories ever told (in the pursuit of making it palatable - which, I'm sure, was quite a task.) |
Labels: Bob Hoffman, Food Supplement, Hoffman's Super Hi-Proteen, York Barbell Company
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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, February 15, 2008
The York Barbell Broad Street Gym One of the great training halls was the old York Barbell gym, located on Broad Street on York PA. It was an old factory converted to a gym, with nothing but a couple lifting platforms, a climbing rope, a few old dumbbells and plenty of iron.
It was hot, dark and cramped (just like a great gym should be)and the equipment was old, but solid and it produced an untold number of strength Champions in bodybuilding and Olympic weightlifting.
That's Ike Berger on the platform working on his press while Bob Hoffman, Tommy Kono and others look on.
Labels: Bob Hoffman, Broad Street Gym, Classic Gym, Classic Strongman Gyms, Ike Berger, Olympic Weightlifting, Tommy Kono, York Barbell Company
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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, January 06, 2008
The Hip LiftThe Hip Lift is an old time exercise for building leg power. -- It involves using a belt attached to a heavy weight that will just clear the floor when the legs are straightened.
Several thousand pounds are able to be lifted in this manner.
On the left, Charles MacMahon hip lifts a heavy barbell circa 1917 at the Milo Barbell Company.
On the right, John Grimek uses the very same setup to train for Warren Lincoln Travis' Challenge at the York Barbell Company in 1949.
Labels: Charles MacMahon, Exercises Leg Strength, Hip Lift, John Grimek, Leg Power, Milo Barbell Company, Oldtime Strongman Feat, York Barbell Company
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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, January 04, 2008
| "The Most important muscles of the body and also the most neglected are the muscles of the mid-section." ... That's how the York Abdominal course begins, and I agree. Bob Hoffman and the York Barbell Company produced several training courses like this one and they are all classics. That's John Grimek on the cover, using the York abdominal board for situps. |  The York Abdominal Course |
Labels: John Grimek, Training Course, York Abdominal Course, York Barbell Company
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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
York, Pennsylvania: Muscletown USAAs you're heading down Highway I-83 in South Eastern Pennsylvania you can't miss this fellow -- he's 7-1/2 feet tall and revolves (or at least used to) for all to see, marking what was once the center of the strength universe: York Pennsylvania.
York, PA became home to so many champion bodybuilders, weight lifters, strength athletes and other assorted "barbell men" that it became known simply as MUSCLETOWN USA.
Hoffman, Grimek, Stanko, Terpak, Strength & Health Magazine, Protein From the Sea, Functional Isometrics, The York Picnic, The York "Gang," The Big 12 Special, Olympic Barbells, Dumbbells, Kettlebells, Iron Boots, Chest Expanders, Iron Shoes, and so much more... it all happened here.
Labels: Muscletown USA, York Barbell Company, York Gang, 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
Saturday, December 01, 2007
York DumbbellsThe York Barbell Company used several different designs for their dumbbells over the years. In the 1970's they came out with the distinctive "hocky puck" design shown above.
This particular design, with its slighly sloping sides, was adopted as a grip challenge with half of the heaviest available dumbbell (the 100 pounder)known as "The Blob."
This design was discontinued in the late 1990's.
Labels: Equipment, Pinch Lift, The Blob, York Barbell Company, York Dumbbells
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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, November 20, 2007
York Rubber Chest ExpandersThe York Barbell Company sold several different versions of Chest Expanders over the years and here's a look at one of them.
Pretty ingenius really - a set of detachable hands with progressively harder rubber straps. They came in four levels: "Medium," "Athlete," "Strong" and "Hercules" strength.
On the right that's Mr. America Winner and Champion Weightlifter Steve Stanko demonstrating the overhead pulldown chest expander exercise.
Labels: Chest Expanders, Rubber Chest Expanders, Steve Stanko, Strongman Equipment, York Barbell Company
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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, November 19, 2007
John Terpak - Eleven Time Senior National Weightlifting ChampionJohn Terpak was a member of the "York Gang" and one of America's best Olympic-style weightlifters, winning eleven Senior National Weightlifting Titles (1936-1945 & 1947).
Over his career he lifted in three different weight classes (148, 165 and 181.) His best performance occurred winning the 1947 Worlds as a light-heavyweight:
Press - 253-1/2 pounds
Snatch - 264-1/2 pounds
Clean & Jerk - 336-1/4 pounds
Total = 854-1/2 pounds
He also one-hand snatched 154 pounds and one-hand jerked 170-1/2 pounds in some early weightlifting contests when those lifts were still contested.
Terpak was a three-time Olympic Team Member (1936, 1940, & 1948) and a part of nine total Olympic teams and sixty consecutive National Championships as a lifter, judge or coach. He eventually served as an executive for the York Barbell Company.
Labels: Clean and Jerk, John Terpak, Olympic Weightlifting, one arm snatch, Press, Total, weightlifter, weightlifting, York Barbell Company
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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
| The York Barbell Company sold more iron than anyone, so why is John Grimek pictured here throwing a canvas sandbag around? A couple of reasons: |  Sandbag Training With The York Gang |
Secondly, Grimek loved all different kinds of training and a sandbag offered a new challenge, something altogether different than regular barbells and dumbbells would provide. Not to mention that the sandbag provides more of a grip challenge than a barbell ever could.
Front Raises, overhead Press, Row, Deadlifts and Curls -- A pretty nifty program for full-body strength.
Labels: John Grimek, Sandbag Curl, Sandbag Deadlift, Sandbag Front Raise, Sandbag Overhead Press, Sandbag Row, Sandbag Training, Strongman Equipment, Strongman Feat, York Barbell Company
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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 02, 2007
Horseshoes Bent by The Mighty AtomThe Mighty Atom bent these horseshoes and iron bar at the 1962 York, Pennsylvania Interstate Fair. That year marked his 42nd consecutive appearance at that particular fair.
These bent horseshoes are currently on display at the York Barbell Company museum in York, Pennsylvania.
It takes quite a bit of grip and forearm strength to be able to accomplish that strength feat. To see footage of horseshoes being bent by modern Strongman Pat Povilaitis, you'll want to check out 336 Pounds of Fury.
Labels: Bent Horseshoes, Pat Povilaitis, Steel Bending, Strongman Feat, The MIghty Atom, York Barbell, York Barbell Company
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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