IFBB Mr. America Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Mr. America Magazine: Volume 7, Number 8 Featuring Larry Scott

Posted on Thursday, March 24th, 2016 by John Wood

A look at the cover of Mr America Magazine: Volume 7, Number 8, featuring Larry Scott which came out in August of 1965. Larry won the Mr. America in 1962 and about a month after this issue hit the news stand, became the very first Mr. Olympia. He certainly looks in fine form here. Articles by Dave Draper and Steve Reeves make this issue a must have.

Freddy Ortiz

Posted on Monday, August 25th, 2014 by John Wood

Freddy Ortiz is proof that someone doesn’t have to be a giant to be physically impressive. Mr. Ortiz was was just over five feet tall but sported one of the best upper-bodies in the business, maybe even ever. Freddy, seen above on the cover of the November, 1965 cover of Mr. America magazine finished in the top three of every content he ever entered, taking first in the short class of the 1962 IFBB Mr. Universe and the 1963 and 1964 IFBB Mr. America and 1966 IFBB Mr. Eastern America bodybuilding contests. Freddy often trained at Vince’s Gym.

Incidentally, in this issue, you’ll find the article “Secrets of Arm Wrestling” by Mac Batchelor.

Rheo H. Blair’s Instant Protein

Posted on Thursday, April 10th, 2014 by John Wood

Longtime reader’s of Iron Man Magazine will no doubt recognize these two fellows and this familiar color scheme. On the right is Irvin Johnson, otherwise known as Rheo H. Blair. (He changed his name after a numerologist said it would make him more successful — it worked!)

Blair’s secret formula was fashioned after enzymes found in mother’s milk. As a result, “Blair’s Protein” became THE protein powder of choice of all the top pros and likely the best-known supplement of all time. Vince Gironda, the Iron Guru, was a big fan and supporter of Blair’s Protein and since many Hollywood movie stars trained at Vince’s Gym, the popularity of Blair’s Protein sky-rocketed.

On the left is classic bodybuilder Don Howorth, one of Blair’s top students and winner of many west coast bodybuilding contests, including the 1967 IFBB Mr. America.

The Killer Karate Krusher!

Posted on Wednesday, June 13th, 2012 by John Wood

We have long been making the case that grip strength is a valuable commodity to all athletes, case in point: The Killer Karate Krusher! If you have ever wanted ‘A Bone-Crushing Grip”, “Fingers as Tough as Steel”, and “A Fist as Tough as a Sledge Hammer” then the ‘Killer Karate Krusher’ is one to check out. The Killer Karate Krusher is the only exercise which permit full “finger bombing” for an extra-powerful grip — or at least that’s what is said in the ad. Who knows how many of these were ordered from outta the back of comic books?

Demonstrating is IFBB Mr. America, Mr. Universe and Mr. World, Chuck Sipes, who was clearly no stranger to forearm work.