Photo by Jonathan Colon. Many people believe that the health and fitness craze is something new. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The history of physical fitness dates back to the beginning of mankind. People throughout history have partaken in certain physical exercises for numerous purposes. In the past, these exercises were essential to… Continue reading A Quick History Of Fitness
At this point in my series of articles I think it is appropriate to introduce one of the greatest Super Stars in the physique world past or preset. The man is Boyer Coe. From my observations of people who are interested in physical development and physique contests, there are usually one or two men who… Continue reading Dennis Weis, ‘Bits of Advice & Routines Number 6’, Iron Man Magazine, March (1977).
If there is one thing that we could speculate as being highly probable concerning the life style of primitive man, it is that he obtained his food primarily from animal sources and ate it raw. Historically, it appears that complexi- ties in food preparation and processing have come with the more complex and technical societies.… Continue reading Vince Gironda and Ron Kosloff, ‘Processed Food and Physical Deterioration’, NSP Research (2004)
Dancing is something everyone likes to do – whether it's on stage in front of thousands of people or secretly, at home. We dance to celebrate, to show our happiness and to boost our energy. Techniques can range from extremely complicated ones performed by professionals to those that we make up as we listen to… Continue reading Guest Post: How Dancing Evolved Through History
For Nasser El Sonbaty, who has spent 19 years torching, torturing and otherwise harassing every muscle fiber on his 5'11" frame, there are two absolutes. "The first thing is consistency; the second, intensity." Given his behemoth lower quarters -- complete with voluminous muscle bellies, subterranean separation, Gibraltarian density and shape -- we took notes. Nasser… Continue reading Kathleen Engel, ‘Put Size on Your Thighs with Nasser El Sonbaty’, Muscle & Fitness, 63: 6 (2002), 134-138
For American weightlifters of the mid-twentieth century, Bob Hoffman was the guru of the Iron Game. Owner of York Barbell, Hoffman's ambitious career saw him produce some of the first protein supplements, work with giants of the game like John Grimek and coach thousands of young lifters interested in building their physiques. For interested parties,… Continue reading Rare Bob Hoffman Interview
Arthur Jones, as previously discussed, was a hugely influential in the bodybuilding world of the 1960s and 70s. Famed primarily for his innovative approach to training, Jones' no-nonsense attitude set him apart from many in the field. At a time when bodybuilding was beginning to enter mainstream society in a much greater way, Jones' was… Continue reading Arthur Jones, ‘The Psychology of Bodybuilders’, Nautilus Bulletin #2 (1971)
As with any other modern sport, the early origins of golf stretch thousands of years back. A game similar to what we know today as golf was played during the reign of Julius Caesar, and has gone through various changes until it became the modern-day sport. From striking a feather-stuffed ball with club-shaped tree branches,… Continue reading Guest Post: The Roots and History of Golf
Some exercises prove so simple and effective that we often take their existence for granted. The goblet squat has for me, been one such exercise. Over the past five years I've helped numerous friends begin their journeys into the lifting world with the aid of this trusty mechanism. While not everyone is as enthusiastic about… Continue reading The History of the Goblet Squat
Though the fitness industry of the early 1900s pales in comparison to the present, there is little denying that the twin evils of advertising and marketing were as important back then as they are today. This was especially the case for Eugen Sandow, whom many credited with having the world's most perfectly developed body. This claim, as… Continue reading Scots v. Sandows
