Oldtime Strength Blog - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Appolon Campistron

Posted on Friday, December 17th, 2021 by John Wood

Just who was Appolon Campiston? Unfortunately this postcard is all we have ever found on the man so any other details of his life and exploits are unfortunately lost to history. He looks like he was a wrestler, in addition to being a strongman (as most strength athletes were at the time period), and that is some truly sweet gear.

Bill Pettis

Posted on Friday, December 17th, 2021 by John Wood

Another look at Bill Pettis and his 23-1/4-inch arms. Bill actually competed in a few bodybuilding contests in the early 70’s but typically finished toward the bottom of the pack — he certainly had the arms covered, but not much else. Note that Bill is also sporting a nifty Vince’s Gym tank top.

Louis Cyr Statue

Posted on Thursday, December 16th, 2021 by John Wood

A closer look at a Louis Cyr statuette produced in celebration of Cyr’s life in 1913 by the sculptor J.A. Hro. This design has been used several times since then, notably a bronze version for the winner’s trophy of the Arnold Classic strongman competition.

Charles Atlas, PIC Magazine, October 18, 1938

Posted on Thursday, December 16th, 2021 by John Wood

Charles Atlas was enough of a celebrity back in the day that he started appearing in mainstream magazines and not just the back of comic books. Here he is on the cover of the October 19, 1938 issue of PIC magazine along with Laurie Lane and Carmen Miranda. PIC Magazine had only been around about a year at this point and mostly covered Hollywood news and gossip so a cover feature of Atlas is quite interesting. A few years later, PIC magazine ran a feature on The Mighty Atom.

The Mike Marvel Dynaflex Course

Posted on Thursday, December 16th, 2021 by John Wood

A look at the cover of the Mike Marvel Dynaflex Course (that you probably always wanted to send away for but never did.) The Dynaflex Course has been completely re-typed and re-scanned and is now available in The Iron League include the super special original bonus: Secrets of Attracting Girls. Grab your ticket and get started immediately.

Samson Champagne’s Rack Pull

Posted on Thursday, December 16th, 2021 by John Wood

Another rather incredibly feat by Quebec strongman Claude “Samson” Champagne, (who we have featured previously.) Count up all that weight and you’ll arrive at a total of 1369 pounds for a three-inch “rack pull” — or what at one time might have been called a hand and thigh lift. Double overhand grip, no straps, just pure strength — bravo! Noted bodybuilder Rick Wayne also looks on in amazement.

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.