Sports and the media have had a symbiotic relationship throughout history. From ancient civilizations to modern times, sports have always been an essential part of human society, providing a means of entertainment, competition, and physical activity. Sports have also played a crucial role in shaping cultural identity, providing a sense of community, and creating shared… Continue reading Guest Post: History of Sports and the Media: An overview
What teen or young lifter hasn't been seduced by the idea of bigger biceps? Indeed in the bodybuilding universe of both males and females, no pose is more iconic that the front or back double bicep pose. A difficult set of muscles to grow, except of course for the genetically gifted, the biceps have been… Continue reading 21s in Bodybuilding Lore
This website has been pretty vocal in its appreciation of Frank Zane. A three time Mr. Olympia, Zane privileged a level of conditioning and aesthetics that, even today, is still admired by bodybuilding fans. Zane's training diaries, and later books highlighted a clearly meticulous and determined attitude to training. It wasn't enough to move the… Continue reading Forgotten Exercises: The Zane Leg Blaster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIIPv2TqXZ8 The internet can be a truly wonderful way to occupy one's time and recapture childhood memories. As a child of the 1990s, who grew up with television shows from the 1980s, I had two twin loves, wrestling and the World's Strongest Man (WSM) competitions. Sadly for me, television broadcasting in Ireland during that time… Continue reading Two Worlds Collide: Bill Kazmaier and Cactus Jack
For those of us whose bodybuilding heroes are from the IronAge, finding our place in the land of modern bodybuilding has been tough. We feel out of place. Our heroes and our IronAge ideals often seem incompatible with the world of bodybuilding. As we struggle to reconcile bodybuilding's past with its changes, it is our… Continue reading Robert Paris, ‘Defining the Iron Age’, Ironage.us (c. 2003)
Intermittent fasting (IF) is a popular eating pattern that involves alternating periods of fasting and eating. This practice has been around for centuries and has been practiced for religious, spiritual, and cultural reasons. In many traditions, fasting is seen as a way to purify the mind and body, achieve spiritual enlightenment, and gain self-discipline. However,… Continue reading Intermittent Fasting between History and Modern Benefits
The following workout comes from the wonderful A Portrait of Dorian Yates: The Ultimate Bodybuilding Guide from the Ultimate Bodybuilder by the late Peter McGough. For those who don't know, Peter was one of bodybuilding's most authoritative journalists for several decades. He was intimately linked with Dorian and it was Peter who bestowed Dorian with… Continue reading Dorian Yates’ Olympia Winning Workout
In today's fitness industry, workout supplements are a common sight. From pre-workout powders to protein bars, these products are advertised as the keys to unlocking muscle gains and improved performance. However, the history of workout supplements is a story that is rarely told. For decades, athletes and bodybuilders have experimented with various substances and formulas… Continue reading Guest Post: The Untold History of Workout Supplements
The following Chapter comes from Mark Berry's wondeful book from the 1930s Physical Training Simplified. In it, Berry addresses one of the biggest questions from his era, is lifting safe? Enjoy! Bar Bell Exercise is Different Than Competitive or Record Lifting. But Does the Weight Lifter Run Any Risks? In the minds of some persons… Continue reading Is Heavy Exercise Dangerous?
Okay, I admit it. I have become, for want of a better word, a home gym fetishist. What began out of necessity during the Covid-19 pandemic has now become a delightful, but expensive, obsession of mine. We recently moved home and, for the first time in two years, my home gym now has a roof!… Continue reading What did a Home Gym Set Up Look Like in 1950s America?
