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Squat!

Posted on Monday, April 18th, 2016 by John Wood

If you are truly interested in size and strength, you need to train your legs. — and one of the best leg exercises is the barbell squat. In fact, heavy squats have built the foundation of some of the greatest strength athletes in history.

Here’s a look at the great John Davis squatting at Ed Yarick’s Gym in Oakland, California in the 50’s — and that’s how you should be squatting: full and deep.

No monkey business there, just pure power development.

I’m not a fan of squatting with a board under the heels but it seems to work for John Davis, who was Twice Olympic Weightlifting Champion (1948 and 1952) and Six Time Senior World Weightlifting Champion (1938, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951).

Pat Casey’s Squat

Posted on Thursday, December 11th, 2014 by John Wood

Pat Casey Squats

Much of what has been written about Pat Casey focuses on his bench pressing… Pat was the first man to surpass the 600 pound mark bench press but he was an equally impressive all-around lifter. Above you’ll see Pat Casey’s 774½ lb. squat at the San Diego Invitational Power Lifting Contest which took place on May, 21, 1966. This was the contest where Pat became the first man to officially surpass the 2000 pound total. His other lifts were a 592 lb. bench press and a 635 lb. deadlift for a 2001½ lb. total.

Eugene “Tiny” Walsh

Posted on Wednesday, November 19th, 2014 by John Wood

Eugene "Tiny" Walsh

Here’s something you don’t see every day ~ a REAL squat! Here, Eugene “Tiny” Walsh goes all the way to the floor and back with 550 pounds wearing a “super suit” consisting of a t-shirt, shorts and penny loafers. It was reported that Tiny also made 600 pounds in this style. Also of note is the Jackson weight set.

Benoit Cote

Posted on Tuesday, October 14th, 2014 by John Wood

Benoit Cote was another great Canadian strongman from Quebec and the rival of fellow countryman Doug Hepburn. The two met head to head in 1961 at a four-lift contest consisting of the Press, Bench Press, Squat and Deadlift. While Hepburn bested Cote in the bench press and overhead press, Cote beat Hepburn in the squat and deadlifted 752-1/2 pounds (shown above) to win.

Henry “Milo” Steinborn

Posted on Monday, April 14th, 2014 by John Wood

Henry "Milo" Steinborn

Henry “Milo” Steinborn was a German strongman and wrestler who came the the U.S. in 1921 and immediately caused a big splash in the world of physical training. At a bodyweight of 210 pounds, he could snatch 220 pounds with one hand, military press 265 pounds and clean and jerk 347-1/2.

Milo was most well-known for introducing hard and heavy squatting to this side of the world.
Milo could tip a barbell loaded to 550 pounds up and onto his back unassisted and then perform five deep reps with it — a feat yet to be duplicated.

Moore’s Squat Bar

Posted on Monday, March 31st, 2014 by John Wood

Here, 1959 AAU Mr. America winner Harry Johnson demonstrates Moore’s Squat Bar, a unique piece of equipment from the Atlanta Barbell Co., which was often advertised in the old Iron Man magazine and which eliminates much of the discomfort of squatting due to the “yoke” design.
Look familiar?
The rights were eventually purchased by multiple-time Mr. Olympia winner Frank Zane, and re-released as the Frank Zane Leg Blaster (which is still available today.) We have an original Moore Squat bar still very much in use in our private collection.

Press – Pull – Squat

Posted on Monday, January 20th, 2014 by John Wood

Strength author John McCallum is shown here following some of his best training advice: PRESS – PULL – SQUAT. If you focused on only those three exercises you’ll end up pretty damn strong.

If you’re wondering the reason behind McCallum’s somewhat unusual attire, this was a series of pictures illustrating his training article on ‘Weight Training for the Scuba Diver which can be found (although sans pictures) in the appendix section of The Complete Keys to Progress.

John Garan

Posted on Friday, November 29th, 2013 by John Wood

John Garan began serious physical training after meeting the famous New York strongman Abe Boshes and went on to build one of the most incredible physique of all time.
At a height of 5’5″ and bodyweight of only 155 pounds Garan could easily squat with over 300 and was also an excellent wrestler. He regularly trained at Sig Klein’s Gym and was featured in “Klein’s Bell.” Garan is a perfect example of very impressive results, developed without supplements or growth drugs

Pat Casey’s 210 Pound Dumbbell Incline Press

Posted on Saturday, August 18th, 2012 by John Wood

Pat Casey 210 Pound Dumbbell Incline Press

On March 25th, 1967 Pat Casey became the first man to break the 600 pound barrier in the bench press with an official lift of 615 lbs. — Keep in mind that was without a bench shirt, elbow wraps or other nonsense that typically goes on these days.

Casey was no one-lift specialist either, as he was also the first man to squat over 800 pounds and total over 2000 pounds in an official contest.

For his workouts, Casey used to grab a pair of 210 pound dumbbells, haul them over to the incline bench, get the dumbbells into position, perform his reps, then return the dumbbells to the rack — all unassisted — quite an impressive feat of strength in its own right.

German Strongman Karl Moerke

Posted on Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 by John Wood

Germn Strongman Karl Moerke

Karl Moerke was a German Strongman in the early 1900’s. At a bodyweight around 250 pounds at a height of only 5’2 Moerke was quite the powerhouse. He could deadlift 650 pounds, jerk 375 pounds (shown here), and had a 19-inch neck. Moerke is thought to be the first man to squat 600 pounds.