Isometric Training Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Neck Training

Posted on Friday, March 21st, 2014 by John Wood

Rick Redman Neck Training

To say a larger, stronger neck is important in playing the game of football would be an understatement…so it’s curious why neck training is often left out of many modern programs. At least a few people “get it” though. Here’s College Football Hall of Famer Rick Redman working on his neck development in an interesting way back in 1963 while playing for the University of Washington.

Henry Wittenberg

Posted on Saturday, November 30th, 2013 by John Wood

Jersey City, New Jersey born Henry Wittenberg was one of the greatest wrestlers who ever lived. Unbelievably, he never even wrestled until he got to college but by his junior year, he was doing very well in many prestigious tournaments.

After college, he entered eight AAU tournaments – and won all of them. In an era where many people inflate their numbers, Wittenberg legitimately won over 300 straight matches. He won a Gold medal at the 1948 London Olympics and came back to win Silver in 1952 at Helsinki. He doesn’t have any World Championships to his credit because his employer, The New York Police Department, would not allow him the time off.

One of the notable things about Wittenberg is that he was one of the few athletes at the time who actively lifted weights. His coaches at the time forbade him to do so, but Wittenberg understood how important it was and would not hear of it. They gave in and allowed him to keep lifting weights so as long as he didn’t let it be known.

Later on, he wrote this book on Isometrics which has gone through five printings.

York Isometric Power Rack

Posted on Sunday, October 23rd, 2011 by John Wood

Isometrics were all the rage in the 1960s although you don’t hear much about them these days.

Here’s a special rack made by The York Barbell Company created just for performing Isometrics (model W.W.) This is also the very same type of rack that Bruce Lee trained on.