Monday, January 18, 2010
Wilbur Miller is a big reason why they had to phase out the Deep Dish Plates. Note that the weights had to be strapped on to the bar here!
Labels: Deadlift, Powerlifting, Wilbur Miller, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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, August 28, 2009
If you want to know why some strength athletes are in a class by themselves, just look at how their train their legs. Case in point: here's a typical squat workout for Doug Hepburn: a warm up with 435 for 8 reps then 5 sets of 3 reps with over 700 pounds. This particular workout took place at Yarick's Gym.
Labels: Doug Hepburn, Ed Yarick's Gym, Leg Work, Squat, Squat Workout, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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, August 20, 2009
These 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
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 22, 2009
Many people have ascribed John Grimek's well-rounded physique to the fact that he was very well-rounded in his training. He pressed, he squatted, he trained his grip, he used the wrist roller, he even trained upside-down. Here's Grimek performing a one-arm barbell snatch with 145 pounds - a feat that you will rarely see these days.
Labels: Barbell, Grip Training, John Grimek, one arm snatch, Press, Squat, Wrist Roller Training, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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 15, 2009
You never knew what might happen at Muscle Beach with so many crazy strong folks around. Here's a bit of horse play with Ike Berger on the bottom and record-setting shot putter Parry O'Brien up top. O'Brien grew up in Santa Monica and no doubt his exposure to weightlifting and physical culture with the Muscle beach gang contributed to his success.
O'Brien was the first man to put the shot over 60 feet and won more than 116 consecutive competitions. He competed in four consecutive Olympic games, winning the Gold in 1952 Helsinki Games and the 1956 games in Melbourne, Australia.
Labels: 1952 Olympics, 1956 Olympics, Barbell Lift, Ike Berger, Muscle Beach, Parry O'Brien, Santa Monica California, Shot Put, Supporting Feat, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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 19, 2009
Here's a unique feat by 1947 Mr. America Steve Reeves ... he may not have invented it but he became very well known for it: The Steve Reeves Deadlift. It involves an extremely wide-grip deadlift performed by grabbing the rim on a pair of York Deep Dish Plates. It's tougher than it looks and a tremendous feat of finger strength.
Labels: 1947 Mr. America, Deadlift, Finger Strength, Grip Feat, Grip Strength, Mr. America, Steve Reeves, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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, July 28, 2008
Lifting an old York deep-dish 45-pound plate by the hub is impressive enough, but this feat is out of this world. At 69 years of age, "The Mighty Norseman" Karl Norberg not only pinched the plate, he lifted it and performed a Muscle-Out with it - a simply incredible feat of strength!
Labels: Finger Strength, Grip Feat, Grip Strength, Hub Lift, Karl Norberg, Muscle Out, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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 04, 2008
45 Plate Hub Curl | Rocky Erickon of Chicago, Illinois performs an incredible feat of grip strength: a hub "lift" and curl of a pair of old York Barbell "deep dish" 45-pound plates. Lifting a 45-pound plate by the hub is impressive, but Rocky takes it to a whole new level with this feat. |
Labels: Barbell Plate, Curl, Exercise, Finger Strength, Grip Exercise, Grip Feat, Grip Training, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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, May 04, 2008
Steve Stanko and The Hub LiftOne of the classic classic grip feats was to pick up a York Deep-Dish 45 Pound barbell plate just by the hub, something weightlifting and bodybuilding champ Steve Stanko could do with ease, even with an added 10 pounds. Steve's best was with over 90 pounds!
Labels: 45 Pound Plate, Bending Feat, Finger Strength, Grip Feat, Hub Lift, Steve Stanko, York Barbell, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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.

Wilbur Miller
Doug Hepburn's Squat Workout
York 45-Pound Deep Dish Barbell Plates
John Grimek: One-Arm Barbell Snatch
Blame it on Muscle Beach
The Steve Reeves Deadlift
Karl Norberg: Plate Muscle-Out
45 Plate Hub Curl