Steve Reeves Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Steve Reeves Doing Wrist Curls

Posted on Friday, April 9th, 2021 by John Wood

There are dozens — perhaps hundreds — of different exercises for the various muscles groups. But when it all comes down to it, all you really need is a handful of basic exercises to get the job done. If you want to build wrist strength and forearm size, it’s tough to beat the basic dumbbell wrist curl, as demonstrated here by Steve Reeves.

Hercules Curls

Posted on Wednesday, June 7th, 2017 by John Wood

Steve Reeves getting in a little arm work during the filming of one of his Hercules movies. Italian beauty, Sylva Koscina, looks on in amusement. She was Reeeves’ co-star in both Hercules (1958) and Hercules Unchained (1960).

Clarence Ross

Posted on Monday, April 10th, 2017 by John Wood

Clarence Ross on the cover of the July, 1948 issue of ‘Muscle Power’ magazine. Clarence has just won the Mr. USA title (beating Steve Reeves!) Clarence was listed as the Associate editor of this publication and contributed several articles. Also of note is that Earle E. Liederman, now a real oldtimer, was the editor in chief.

The New Bodybuilding for Old-School Results by Ellington Darden

Posted on Wednesday, September 28th, 2016 by John Wood

GONE.

The New Bodybuilding for Old-School results is sold out, but we can point you toward this classic Ell Darden title which is available on Amazon Kindle:

Strength and Conditioning for Football by Ellington Darden

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.

Steve Reeves’ Hack Squat Machine

Posted on Friday, November 13th, 2015 by John Wood

Steve Reeves trained in York, Pennsylvania for the 1950 Mr. Universe contest. While there, they devised this unique “hack squat” machine for Reeves to train on (this was actually an old hip lift /platform lifting apparatus used in decades before at the Milo Barbell Company.) Reeves used this exercise exclusively to work his legs that time (and went on to win the 1950 Mr. Universe contest and beat Reg Park!) (Also note the Strength and Health covers on the wall.)

Steve Reeves: On Top Of The World

Posted on Friday, April 17th, 2015 by John Wood

Steve Reeves is known as THE classic physique of all time. His Herculean good looks led to a number of movie roles and dozens of magazine covers. Steve Reeves won the following bodybuilding titles over his career:

1946 – Mr. Pacific Coast
1947 – Mr. Western America
1947 – Mr. America
1948 – Mr. World
1950 – Mr. Universe

After his competitive bodybuilding career came to an end, Reeves went to Hollywood to find fame and fortune in the movie business. Here’s his filmography:

Athena (1954)
Jail Bait (1954)
Hercules (1957)
Hercules Unchained (1959)
The Giant of Marathon (1959)
The Last Days of Pompeii
The White Warrior (1959)
Morgan, the Pirate (1960)
The Thief of Baghdad (1960)
The Trojan Horse (1961)
Duel of the Titans (1961)
The Avenger (1962)
Sandokan the Great (1963)
Pirates of Malaysia (1963)
A Long Ride from Hell (1967)

Muscular Development October, 1964, featuring Steve Reeves

Posted on Thursday, February 12th, 2015 by John Wood

Here we have the October, 1964 issue of Muscular Development magazine (making this one the tenth issue ever) which features a painting of the great Steve Reeves on the cover. The first unofficial Powerlifting championships was to be held in York, Pennsylvania shortly after this issue hit the news stands so the issue focused heavily powerlifting related news and training including an excellent and quite interesting article on rack work by eventual champion Terry Todd. Sig Klein also contributed a dynamite article on the heavy deep knee bend ~ otherwise known as the squat. With Steve Reeves on the cover, there was understandably a several page spread on his movie career and other accomplishments.

Steve Reeves – THE Classic Physique

Posted on Thursday, September 4th, 2014 by John Wood

It’s not hard to see why Steve Reeves was known as THE Classic Physique – just take a look. During his career Reeves won nearly every contest he entered, including: the 1947 AAU Mr. America, Mr. Pacific Coast and Mr. Western America Contests, the 1948 Mr. World contest, and the 1950 NABBA Mr. Universe contest. Reeves was well-known for his broad shoulders which were measured by Armand Tanny at an unbelievable 23-1/2 inches!

The Sandow Trophy

Posted on Sunday, August 17th, 2014 by John Wood

Just over a century ago, Eugen Sandow held the very first physique contest ever, which was known simply as “The Great Competition.” The first place prize for this contest was a magnificent gold statue of Sandow himself, holding a globe dumbbell. Second and third place were the same statues, only comprised of Silver and Bronze respectively. The bronze Sandow statue would later become the first place prize in the 1950 NABBA Mr. Universe contest, eventually won by Steve Reeves.

Several decades later, Joe Weider and the promoters of the Mr. Olympia contest decided to honor Sandow and Bodybuilding’s past by resurrecting a version of this statue for their first place trophy. The first Mr. Olympia winner to take home a Sandow statue was Frank Zane in 1977.