Unique Training Equipment Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

The Magic Square

Posted on Monday, June 15th, 2015 by John Wood

You’ve heard of the Magic Circle… but have you heard of the Magic Square? It was another experiment to make intense leg work more “comfortable.” However, like the Magic Circle, it also changed the lifter’s center of gravity which was somewhat problematic. Still, the Magic Square was GREAT for Hise Shrugs and calf work. Jerry Liekam demonstrates above in the old Iron Man gym.

The Iron Shoe Exerciser

Posted on Thursday, May 7th, 2015 by John Wood

The Iron Shoe exerciser was a great oldtime piece of training equipment which has roots going back pretty far into strength history. As you may notice by the design, it is “horse shoe” shaped — which is meant to mimic an actual horse shoe, the bending of which was a great oldtime feat and a mark of great strength. The “iron Shoe” provided a method of progressive resistance in some of the positions needed for horseshoe bending and trained the body, especially the grip and forearms in a very unique manner. This particular Iron shoe was sold by George F. Jowett.

York Aristocrat Dumbbell Set

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

A look at a York Aristocrat Dumbbell Set from 1955 or so. These were patterned after George Jowett’s dumbbells from a generation before. There is something to be said for a “personal” dumbbell set. You can get a surprisingly good workout with only what is pictured here ~ and many people certainly did!

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.

The Swingbell

Posted on Thursday, March 20th, 2014 by John Wood

The Swingbell is essentially a dumbbell with the weights loaded in the middle instead of either end. This configuration has a great feel for exercises such as curls, wrist curls, abdominal work and, as the name implies, swings.

The Big Wheel at Zuver’s Hall of Fame Gym

Posted on Monday, August 29th, 2011 by John Wood

At Zuver’s Hall of Fame Gym, everything is BIG, including the unique piece of equipment seen here: The BIG Wheel. That’s a heck of a way to do pulldowns. Check out the handle, and that’s a pretty good sized anchor chain too. Dr. Ken Leistner, who trained at Zuver’s long ago, actually had a reproduction of the Big Wheel made for his Iron Island Gym (made for him by Jim Sutherland.)