German Strongman Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Carl Busch

Posted on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 by John Wood

Another look at Carl Busch as he performs a Crucifix lift with a pair of German Kettlebells. At one time Busch had an act where he wrestled a bull (Busch always won.)

Fred Rollon

Posted on Sunday, August 19th, 2018 by John Wood

Another look at the utterly ridiculous muscular development of Fred Rollon. This was taken about 1905, mind you. Rollon was often referred to as “The Human Anatomy Chart” — and, as you can see, with very good reason. Interestingly, Rollon claimed not to lift weights at all, he just trained with expanders. Look closely and you’ll actually notice an expander handle in his hands. It was said that the bands that he trained with had a resistance level of over 300 lbls and could withstand horses.

Lorenz Geer – King of The Snatch

Posted on Tuesday, August 14th, 2018 by John Wood

Lorenz Geer, the popular oldtime strongman from Munich, Germany, was known as “King of The Snatch” in the later part of the 19th century. He achieved a right-hand snatch of 165 pounds and 9 reps with 142 pounds. Geer was particularly fond of working with thick-handled equipment.

Hermann Goerner

Posted on Saturday, June 16th, 2018 by John Wood

Hermann Goerner was never too far from the weights, even when he was on vacation. Here he snatches 190 pounds with one arm, in street clothes, and standing ankle deep in loose sand. — Now that’s strong.

George “Rasso” Stanglemeier

Posted on Friday, April 20th, 2018 by John Wood

George “Rasso” Stanglemeier was an early German strongman famous for his arm strength and development. In fact, he was one of the first strongmen to curl over 200 pounds. He was the leader of the group of strongmen known as The Rasso Trio (who were famously defeated by Apollon.) Here, Stanglemeier lifts a cannon and two more fellows along for the ride. Stanglemeier was particularly adept at heavy supporting feats and I bet this one went over very well during his performances.

Alex Topka

Posted on Thursday, March 29th, 2018 by John Wood

Alex Topka, from Berlin, Germany, was a strongman and sometimes wrestler who performed as “Audax Alexius” (Alexius the Brave) — usually in full Gladiator garb. Above, Topka with only one hand lifts a stone marked 6 “hundred weights” or about 300 kg. Not bad!

Carl Busch

Posted on Friday, February 2nd, 2018 by John Wood

Carl Busch was a great strongman and wrestler who was active in the early 20th century. After winning the 1901 German national title, he toured Europe performing feats of strength and wrestling all comers. He even wrestled the great Frank Gotch to a draw under Greco-Roman rules. Busch also wrestled the likes of George Hackenschmidt, Professor Roller, Heinrich Weber, Yousef Holusane, Fred Beell, and even Farmer Burns. As far as feats of strength, Busch could bent press 250 pounds at a bodyweight of only 175 pounds. In 1891, Busch started his own circus which is actually still going strong today if you can believe it.

William Pagel

Posted on Tuesday, December 26th, 2017 by John Wood

The German Strongman William Pagel used to perform an amazing feat of strength: carrying a 1050-pound horse to the top of two 18-foot ladders by the use of a harness. Even more amazing was that he did this for 10 shows a day. Notably, Pagel could clean 225 pounds with one arm, jerk it to arm’s length and while holding it aloft, lay down flat on the ground and then return to a standing position, barbell still overhead. Pagel was also a great wild animal trainer.

Heinrich Rondi

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

Shown here is a rare picture of the German strongman Heinrich Rondi, one of the strongest men of the early 20th century. Rondi had a good year in 1906: he won the the European Lifting Championships, a World Greco-Roman wrestling title and a Gold Medal in the Tug O’ War at the 1906 Olympics (where he also won two Bronze Medals in the weight lifting events.) In 1907, he added World Lifting Championship by besting his countryman Heinrich Schneidereit. In 1910, Rondi set two Amateur records with a right hand snatch of 203-1/2 pounds and a left hand snatch of 186-3/4 pounds.

Hary Berti

Posted on Monday, December 4th, 2017 by John Wood

We haven’t found much so far about Hary Berti. He was a German strength athlete, likely active in the 1920’s-30’s who was billed as “das wunder menschlicher kraft” (“the miracle of human power”). Here he is bending a steel bar.