Oldtime Strength Blog - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Johnny Silvi

Posted on Tuesday, October 12th, 2021 by John Wood

Johnny Silvi was a professional wrestler from Canada who, in order to drum up interest for his matches, used to pull a call down the street in front of the arena with his teeth. As his impressive neck development would indicate, clearly he made a habit of this practice. Above, Silvi pulls a 1949 Ford Tudor as onlookers are amazed.

Super High-Intensity Bodybuilding by Ellington Darden

Posted on Tuesday, October 12th, 2021 by John Wood

1986 was the year when Ellington Darden came out with “Super High-Intensity Bodybuilding. Throughout the book as well as on the cover, there were training shots by the great Chris Lund of a young up and coming bodybuilder by the name of Jim Hellwig. Not long after, EVERYONE would know Jim Hellwig, but by another name: The World Wrestling Federation’s Ultimate Warrior.

Stanley Radwan ~ The Polish Iron Man

Posted on Monday, August 30th, 2021 by John Wood

A look at Stanley Radwan ~ The Polish Iron Man ~ in the midst of living up to his nick name whilst scrolling a long steel bar into a pretzel during a performance in October of 1950.

Spalding Quarter-Circle Exerciser

Posted on Monday, August 30th, 2021 by John Wood

Believe it or not, stength “machines” have a history that goes back even further than barbells and dumbbells. This “Quarter-Circle Strength Developer” was manufactured by Spalding in the late 1890’s. This was actually a fairly common style of machine and several different companies had their own version. It was an original design by Dudley Allen Sargent for the Hemenway Gymnasium.

1900 French Gym

Posted on Monday, August 30th, 2021 by John Wood

A look at the gymnasium of the Boarding School of The Sacred Heart located in Normandy, France, circa 1900. Note the rings, trapeze, the climbing ladder and other various “aerial” modalities. Also of note are the “quarter circle” chest machines on the right.

John Lemm

Posted on Monday, August 30th, 2021 by John Wood

Another look at John Lemm (in color!), circa 1909, when he had just made his way across the Atlantic Ocean and was looking to take on all comers. Interestingly, Lemm’s manager at this time was William Bankier, The Scottish Apollo.

You Be The Judge

Posted on Friday, August 27th, 2021 by John Wood

Here’s one that has been making the rounds for several years now. Is it legit? Hard to say, but it could probably go either way. They sure didn’t have Photoshop back in those days. Those are some pretty sweet clubs sitting on the floor though.

Jules Bacon, Mr. America 1943

Posted on Friday, August 27th, 2021 by John Wood

Shown above is Jules Bacon, AAU Mr. America winner of 1943. It was said that Bacon had one of the finest physiques of his era

Bacon was an integral part of the early history and success of the York Barbell company and could often be found demonstrating exercises in articles and advertisements in Strength and Health magazine.

Maybe, on your best day, and with all the modern advancements in supplements, protein powders, and cell volumizers, you can build as much muscle and the kind of condition as Jules Bacon did 80 years ago.

1978 Olympic Musclebuilders Advertisement

Posted on Friday, August 27th, 2021 by John Wood

“Olympic Musclebuilders” was a course that you probably never heard of that was advertised in the back of comic books, karate magazines, wrestling magazines and Popular Science and other assorted pulpy affairs. The course was authored (anonymously, btw) by Robert Kennedy of “Muscle Mag International” fame.

The fellow who appeared in this and many other Olympic Musclebuilders advertisements was the German bodybuilder Wilfried Dubbels (who also appeared on the cover of the February, 1977 issue of Muscle Mag International.)

The Olympic Musclebuilders course promised to build “Titanic Legs,” Wide Manly Shoulders,” “Rock Hard Stomach Muscles,” and “Full, High-Peaked Biceps” — You’ll find Olympic Musclebuilders material in The Iron league.

Arthur Saxon: The Iron Master

Posted on Thursday, August 26th, 2021 by John Wood

“A really strong man who is unable to lift really heavy weights can only be described as a man who possesses possibilities of strength, while a man who can exceed 250 lbs. with either one or two hands (or even 200 lbs., supposing him to be a 9 to 10-stone man) is the fortunate possessor of real strength, having been endowed with actual power itself, which he has further acquired the ability to use.

Every normally sound and healthy man, whose doctor can assure him that his heart is sound, and who has attained the age of from sixteen to nineteen (according to the proportionate development he has attained at those ages), not only can, but should, enter upon some course of Weight-lifting or of exercises with weights.”

– Arthur Saxon, The Text-Book of Weight Lifting (1908)