Oldtime Strength Blog - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Looping The Loop, 1903

Posted on Monday, March 1st, 2021 by John Wood

We have covered many different types of outstanding physical achievements on this blog, and I think this one most definitely fits the bill. Behold! ~ The “Looping The Loop” stunt, performed by the acrobat “Mephisto” at the Casino de Paris, circa 1903. One must be able to achieve a specific amount of leg strength and speed in order to complete this feat — and be pretty confident in one’s ability to do so… otherwise, a rather tragic result. So, you better not skip leg day.

The photographer had a keen eye, capturing this daredevil at the exact moment that he arrived at the highest point of the loop and was positioned exactly upside down. I’d say this fellow earned his bread.

Nat Pendleton on The Cover of Physical Culture

Posted on Monday, March 1st, 2021 by John Wood

Nat Pendleton was a fantastic college wrestler at Columbia University (team captain and 2x EIWA Champion, 1914-15) who went on to take the Silver medal in Heavyweight class the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. (He was defeated by Robert Roth of Switzerland in a match that many say Pendleton really won.)

After that, Pendleton went to Hollywood and landed many bit parts and minor roles, typically thugs, gangsters, and policemen due to his imposing muscular stature. Pendleton stuck with it in Hollywood and rather amazingly, parlayed this into some fairly substantial roles. Of particular note to those with Iron Game interest, Pendleton portrayed Eugen Sandow in the movie The Great Ziegfeld (1935) and another very Sandow-like strongman character (known as Goliath) in the 1939 Marx Brothers movie “At the Circus.”

Above, Pendleton was featured on the cover and interview in the May, 1940 issue of Bernarr MacFadden’s “Physical Culture” magazine. As you can see, Pendleton didn’t miss many workouts and his condition would certainly still be impressive today.

Zuver’s Gym 5 lb. Barbell Plate

Posted on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021 by John Wood

We’ve covered Zuver’s Gym before. For many years, Jean Zuver, wife of the Rev. Bob Zuver was a member of my email list and would write in all the time telling us how much she enjoyed our oldtime materals. She even sent us a copy of the book she wrote and some personal pictures from the gym. One day Jean wrote in to tell us that there was a whole bunch of old barbell plates from Zuver’s gym just rusting away in the shed out in back of her house, and would we be interested in them?

Our answer was a definite yes, but since these plates held great personal meaning to her and the family, we were hesitant to take them off her hands… There are strength equipment “vultures” out there who would have handled this type of situation a whole lot differently. The “Big” Zuver plates, 50-200 pounds tend to get most of the press, but there was all different denominations. Here’s a look at a 5-pounder.

Miracles in Muscles

Posted on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021 by John Wood

MIRACLES IN MUSCLES was Professor Harry Titus’s promotional book, put out circa 1928. It featured an introduction to Titus’ training system and pictures of his many successful students. You’ll find a high-resolution scan of this rare booklet in The Iron League.

York Lifting Shoes

Posted on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021 by John Wood

In the late 1960’s, the York Barbell Company became the first company to come out with a special shoe designed specifically for weight lifting. No longer would lifters have to sport their wingtips or work books when going for a personal record. Here’s a look at a pair AND the box. These shoes had a slightly raised heel and sturdy laces which provided extra stability in the low position — and they looked pretty sharp too. This particular pair is a size 8-1/2.

A pair of these would set you back $14.95 in 1969 which, adjusted for inflation, is a little over $100 in today’s money. (And no, we DO NOT have them for sale.)

Bill Good’s Squatting at 72

Posted on Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 by John Wood

A look at Bill Good, of Reamstown, PA, performing quarter-squats at age 72 in 1982. Bill liked to celebrate certain milestone dates, like his birthday with feats of strength. This particular occasion was the 50th anniversary of the 1932 Olympic Games where he placed fourth. Having 650 pounds on your back at 72 (even if just a quarter-squat) is mind boggling. Bill Good was one of those lifters who never stopped training — be like Bill Good.

Get Bursting Strength Fast!

Posted on Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 by John Wood

Get Bursting strength Fast! — How about this awesome advertisement for a big batch of strength “stuff” from out of the back of a 1947 comic book? I mean, if you were a young lad interested in strength training, how could you turn the page without so much as considering cracking open your piggy bank? Quite interestingly, similar equipment is still being sold today for big bucks. Of course if you are in the marketing game, this ad copy contain many secrets of success, but only if you are paying close attention.

W.G. Underwood’s Teeth Lifting

Posted on Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 by John Wood

Here we have Mr. W.G. Underwood, of London, England, doing a teeth lift of 374 pounds. Shortly after this picture was taken he increased his record to over 400 pounds!

1965 Jr. National Power Lifting Championships and Jr. Mr. United States Physique Program

Posted on Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 by John Wood

Here’s something you don’t see every day: a look at the program for the 1965 Jr. National Power Lifting Championships and Jr. Mr. United States Physique Contest held Saturday, August 21, 1965 at Memorial School, West Paterson, New Jersey. If you were in attendance at the physique show, you would have seen Bob Gajda of Chicago, Illinois take top honors. Dennis Tinerino and Jim Haislop took second and third. And as for the “Power Lifting”, this particular contest has the unique distinction of being the very first official National Powerlifting contest EVER held.

The Strong Arm Method!

Posted on Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 by John Wood

Another look at Joe Weider’s “HELL-BENT FOR LEATHER N’ LEAD” manly bracelets. Wonder how many youngsters saved up their paper route money and sent away for a set of these? You don’t even have to train! All you do is put them on and wear them throughout the day and your arms will start oozing 100% more power!