Classic Gym Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

“The Tipton Slasher” Benny Yanger

Posted on Thursday, December 6th, 2018 by John Wood

“The Tipton Slasher” Benny Yanger gets in a workout with the wall pulley at an oldtime Chicago gym circa 1906. Note the small dumbbell which has been added to the weight stack. Like most boxers of that era, Benny was also fond of throwing the medicine ball around to build upper body strength and stamina. Over his career, the New York lightweight was 51-9.

Harry Truman’s 1948 White House Gym

Posted on Thursday, October 11th, 2018 by John Wood

A look at Truman’s gym in the White House, circa 1948. It is sparse, but certainly contains everything someone would need to stay in shape: medicine balls, Swedish Bars, Wall Pulleys, Gymnastic Rings, Rowing machine, health rider bike, situp board, and a rack of dumbbells (more of which are out of the frame.)

The Titanic Gym

Posted on Wednesday, August 15th, 2018 by John Wood

Here’s something you don’t see every day; this is a rare photograph of the workout room from The Titanic — yes, that Titanic, the one that sunk back in 1912.

It may look familiar as they recreated it for a few scenes in the movie of the same name — Looks like they did a pretty good job. Note the early 2-man Rowing machine and exercise bikes. On the ships of the White Star Line, which the Titanic was, all featured Zander Machines for their first class passengers.

On the night of April 14, when the ship struck an iceberg, the physical instructor Mr. T. W. McCauley remained at his post and went down with the ship.

Father Lange’s Gym

Posted on Sunday, December 10th, 2017 by John Wood

A look at a a training session at Father B.H. Lange’s Gym, at the University of Notre Dame. Lange was a great carpenter and made much of the equipment (i.e. benches and racks) shown here. Father Lange’s Gym began in 1941, when two students who were lifters were leaving to go join the Royal Canadian Air Force and entrusted their weights to Father Lange and it started building from there into one of the premier gyms and programs in the land.

One of Lange’s star pupils was Mike Burgener, who came to Notre Dame as a 165-pound freshman halfback looking to gain size and strength in order to compete on the collegiate gridiron. Under Lang’s tutelage, Burgener grew to 182 pounds, a key contributor to the 1966 National Championship team, and set an American record of 400 pounds in the press. Rather interestingly, Burgener also went on to become of the the “founding fathers” of Crossfit.

Von Krajewski’s Gym

Posted on Wednesday, November 8th, 2017 by John Wood

Here’s a unique look at Dr. Vladislav Von Krajewski’s Gym in St. Petersburg, Russia, circa 1901. This is the place where an untold number of strength champions trained, most notably George Hackenschmidt. I know that I could sure get strong in a place like this.

The Springfield College Gymnasium

Posted on Wednesday, November 7th, 2012 by John Wood

What’s notable about this particular old gym? Look close and you’ll see a rack of Indian clubs, some light barbells and some other vintage gymnastic equipment which makes it pretty nifty insofar as oldtime training gear goes but there is another reason that this gym stands out… It was at this gym, at the School for Christian Workers at Springfield College in December of 1891, where the first game of organized basketball took place. James Naismith, under orders from Springfield’s physical education director Dr. Luther Halsey Gulick, was to develop a vigorous indoor game which could keep the students in shape during the winter months. The baskets — actual peach baskets — were nailed to the lower rail of the balcony, which happened to be exactly 10 feet from the floor… and the rest is history.

This picture was taken around 1887, so a few years before all the hubbub started.

Professor Attila’s Studio of Physical Culture

Posted on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 by John Wood

Professor Attila's Studio of Physical Culture

In 1893, professor Louis Attila opened the doors to the finest gym ever established before or since. Behold “Professor Attila’s Physical Culture Studio.” The above shot was actually the second location, Attila moved his gym in 1898 to a location on 37th street in midtown Manhattan. Needless to say, whenever any professional strongmen performed in New York, they always made a point to stop by Attila’s place.

Harry Shafran’s Gym

Posted on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 by John Wood

Harry Shafran's Gym

Think you could get a pretty good workout here? …A unique look at some of the equipment once belonging to Harry Shafran and housed in his great gym. Much of what is shown here was previously owned by Warren Lincoln Travis. Some of this equipment has a very interesting story since the time this picture was taken… part of which will be covered in The Dellinger Files Volume II.