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
The marathon, a grueling long-distance race that tests the endurance and determination of runners, has become one of the most iconic events in the world of athletics. Originating from an ancient Greek legend, the marathon has a rich and fascinating history that spans centuries. So, here’s a brief history behind the marathon, tracing its roots… Continue reading Guest Post: A Brief History of Marathon: The Origin and Development of the Famous Race
Having previously discussed the history of the squat exercise, today's post examines the creation of the Rader Chest Pull, an exercise that Peary Rader, one of the Irongame's biggest names in the twentieth-century, often used in conjunction with the squat. Typically Rader would inform trainees to perform this exercise directly after a set of twenty… Continue reading Forgotten Exercises: The Rader Chest Pull
Sport has long been an integral part of education, and its presence in public schools has played a significant role in shaping the physical, mental, and social development of students. The history of sports in public schools is a testament to the recognition of its importance in fostering discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, and overall well-being. Here’s… Continue reading Guest Post: The Brief History of Sport in Public Schools
Without doubt one of the odder movements in the gym goers' repertoire, the reverse grip bench press is a lift you're unlikely to see on a regular basis. Somewhat circus-like in its execution, the lift is nevertheless an invaluable one to those suffering from issues of shoulder mobility and I'd suggest, boredom. A fun lift… Continue reading The History of the Reverse Grip Bench Press
Sports photography is a dynamic and captivating genre that captures the excitement, emotion, and athleticism of sporting events. It has a rich history that dates back to the early days of photography, evolving alongside advancements in technology and the growing popularity of sports around the world. The purpose of sports photography extends beyond just freezing… Continue reading Guest Post: The Art of Sports Photography: History and Purpose
Just a quick word of thanks to everyone who voted in Common Ground Network's Publisher Prize. My book, The History of Physical Culture won the prize thanks, in no small part, to the votes from people who read my work every week on this website. I began this website in 2014 and, scarily, am nearly… Continue reading Now an Award Winning Website!
We have come a long way in terms of boosting our workout performance by fine-tuning all the habits that surround that single one, and in particular, by refining our menus to suit our goals. Athletes have always done their absolute best to find that perfect ratio when it comes to food intake in order to… Continue reading Guest Post: The History of Sports Nutrition
Training Strategy for Evander Holyfield The time-honoured -- but unfortunately ill-conceived -- practice of long, slow distance work as a conditioning regimen for boxers is what Evander learned from the training dinosaurs of his youth, and had continued with for years. When I was brought aboard his team, prior to his fight against Buster Douglas… Continue reading How They Train: Conditioning Methods of World Champion Boxer Evander Holyfield by Dr. Fred Hatfield
I loved this movie. That's it. Review done. Watch it here. More seriously, Marc Martinez has created a documentary about bodybuilding's Golden Age that manages to do what so many Iron Game documentaries struggle with - he captures the wonder of bodybuilding. This is a movie centred on California and bodybuilding from the late 1940s… Continue reading Movie Review: Dream Big (Marc Martinez, 2022)
