A Website Dedicated to the Study of Strength, Health, Fitness and Sport Across Centuries, Countries and Contests.
In order to maintain health and provide for optimal growth, our bodies require more than 40 different nutrients. These various nutrients can be found in the six primary food components: water, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. WATER: Whether or not you believe live began in the sea, the fact remains that life exists in... Continue Reading →
Given the overwhelmingly positive response to our last interview with Thomas Todd on the growth of the Nautilus phenomenon, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to pick Thomas’ brain on a subject of deep personal importance to both of us, the future of the fitness industry. Having overseen the management and establishment of multiple gyms... Continue Reading →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V72q3SJW_bI The history of weightlifting and bodybuilding was, for far too long, a sport dominated by men. How, when and where women first entered the gym is a topic of considerable interest for academics. While the growth of female weightlifting in the United States has been well covered by Jan Todd, little to no work... Continue Reading →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnh9fI106_Q Thomas Inch is one of the most fascinating physical culturists of the twentieth century. He was a pivotal figure in the organisation of British weightlifting, helped coach Arthur Saxon and was a great strong man in his own right. Rarely do we get to see weightlifters in the twilight of their careers. Produced in... Continue Reading →
This is one of the odder products examined on this website, and that is really saying something! One of the great issues facing parents and schoolmasters is how to get kids excited about exercising. Well, a century ago, Eugen Sandow claimed to have the solution. What do kids love more than anything else? Candy! With... Continue Reading →
Sports medicine, as you probably know, is the branch of medicine dealing with injuries and illnesses resulting from participation in sports and athletic activities. Very few people have never had their knee, leg, back, shoulder or hand injured as a consequence of playing sports. Luckily, today we can enjoy the benefits of many breakthroughs and... Continue Reading →
Since its inception in the late 1970s, the World's Strongest Man Competitions have used a variety of tests to determine one's strength. In the past this has included deadlifting blocks of cheese, running with refrigerators and the iconic Atlas Stones. Some events become mainstays while others, like the aforementioned cheese deadlifts slip quickly from our... Continue Reading →
So, cards on the table, I recently reread The Complete Keys to Progress by John McCallum. The result of Randall Strossen's meticulous collecting, The Complete Keys details McCallum's numerous articles for Strength and Health magazine. Admittedly McCallum's work was more concerned with rapid bulk and strength building practices, The Complete Keys still has some things to say about bodybuilding and defining exercises. One... Continue Reading →
The Zen masters, Hatha Yoga and Judo, teach us that the human race of today has lost all trace of an instinctive wisdom of the body. But I disagree in part. I have observed many top bodybuilders (champions) who still have this instinctive wisdom of the body, drawing its essence from obscure biological memories going... Continue Reading →
I'll admit it, although born in the early 1990s, I was a Hulkamaniac. Aside from growing up during the WWF attitude era, where individuals like Triple H, The Rock, Mark Henry and Stone Cold were living embodiments of strength, I regularly went through back catalogues of... Continue Reading →