Handbalancing Feat
Posted on Wednesday, November 27th, 2013 by John Wood
How about this handbalancing feat from the Russian circus, circa 1967? I’d say the neck strength of the two “bottom” men may be even more impressive.
Tag: Handbalancing
Doug Hepburn’s Handbalancing
Posted on Sunday, October 6th, 2013 by John Wood
Many of the Olympic-style weightlifting champions of years past were also very good handbalancers. They felt–with very good reason–that handbalancing would build shoulder strength and stability to help their overhead pressing power and in holding heavy weights in the overhead position.
Showing that a heavy bodyweight isn’t an obstacle, the great Doug Hepburn could easy perform handstand pushups at the drop of a hat at 305 pounds. Handbalancing is still very much a discipline that will benefit every strength athlete.
The Great Saadi
Posted on Wednesday, August 28th, 2013 by John Wood
Who was The Great Saadi? Only the greatest equilibrist in the Russian circus in the late 19th and early 20th century. Saadi was born into a large family of Russian acrobats, and with each member trying to out do the others… well, you can see how such an amazing level of talent might develop.
Saddi’s signature feat was to perform an incredibly difficult balance on a somewhat darkened stage, much like the one shown above, whilst ALSO balancing a lamp precariously on his head. At the apex of the feat, the lamp would turn on at full brightness, putting an exclamation point on an already amazing feat.
It should also be obvious that a steady diet of handbalancing can develop a pretty impressive physique — that would be an arm to be proud of even today.
An Unusual Handbalancing Feat
Posted on Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 by John Wood
Here’s an unusual handbalancing feat from an old postcard. Unfortunately the names of these gentlemen is lost to the sands of time, but this is a truly excellent feat, one I have actually never seen before. The coordination and intense focus required by all participants to pull this one off is tremendous.
Handbalancing Made Easy by E.M. Orlick
Posted on Friday, February 8th, 2013 by John Wood
Professor Emmanuel “E.M.” Orlick was an outstanding strongman, physical culturist and gymnast who came from a long line of circus performers.
Over the years Orlick became a prolific strength author who wrote hundreds of training articles on a variety of topics. Orlick was the contributor to many of Joe Weider’s magazines and courses and was eventually also the editor of “Mr. America” magazine for a number of years. In addition, Orlick was the assistant editor of a Boxing/Wrestling magazine and on occasion wrote newspaper articles on ice hockey.
While Orlick was certainly proficient at a number of strength feats, handbalancing and gymnastics were his greatest areas of interest and he wrote several training courses on these topics, one of which was “Handbalancing Made Easy,” and ad for which is shown at the right.
Orlick’s other handbalancing training courses include: “Walking and Jumping on Your Hands” and “How To Do The One-Hand Handstand” ~ all of which we’ll be reprinting at some point.