The history of health clubs is a fascinating reflection of humanity's evolving relationship with physical fitness and well-being. From the early gymnasiums of ancient civilizations to the high-tech, multi-functional fitness centers of today, the journey of health clubs is one of cultural shifts, technological advancements, and changing societal norms. This evolution has been shaped by… Continue reading Guest Post: The Evolution of Health Clubs: From Ancient Gymnasiums to Modern Fitness Centers
Under this heading, I would include the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and similar substances. In my opinion, alcohol is a nerve poison that is not assimilated and requires a great expenditure of energy for its excretion. Furthermore, it decreases energy and deadens certain inner forces, which, although we may be unconscious of them, could… Continue reading George Hackenschmidt, ‘Hindrances to the Acquisition of Strength.’
In the competitive world of sports, the spotlight often shines on physical abilities, technical skills, and strategic thinking. However, an increasing body of research suggests that mental training is equally crucial for achieving peak performance. Mindfulness and meditation, practices rooted in ancient traditions, have been gaining traction among athletes and coaches as powerful tools for… Continue reading Guest Post: Harnessing the Power of Mindfulness and Meditation in Sports Performance
Pre-competition anxiety is a common experience for athletes of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. This anxiety can manifest in various ways, including physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweaty palms, and tense muscles, as well as psychological symptoms such as negative self-talk, lack of concentration, and overwhelming worry. However, managing this anxiety is… Continue reading Guest Post: Effective Strategies to Overcome Pre-Competition Anxiety
The past few years in particular, have been a wonderful time for strongman and strongwoman fans. For me, one of the most exciting developments has been the renewed interest shown in stone lifting. As a World's Strongest Man fan who grew up watching Kaz or Jon Pal dominate the competition, the sport has always had… Continue reading When did Strongmen Begin Using Atlas Stones?
Three time World Strongest Man champion Bill Kazmaier was an absolute golaith during his career. Excelling in both powerlifting and strongman, there is little doubt that Kaz is one of the most impressive strength athletes of all time. He had the static strength needed to excel in powerlifting, the athleticism needed for strongman and the… Continue reading Bill Kazmaier’s Squat and Deadlift Program
So much has been written of the great old timers, that I will barely touch upon their deeds and confine most of this article to the strongest men of the present. If all the great strong men of the past, many of whom have gone from this earth, could meet in a contest, what a… Continue reading Bob Hoffman, ‘The World’s Strongest Man: Past & Present,’ Strength & Health, 5, no. 10 (1937), 32-34 & 42-45.
Given the current vogue for Mike Mentzer and high-intensity training, I thought it would be cool to look at John Little's 2008 interview with Iron Man magazine. Little is a Mentzer expert, and has written several books on his training methods. Here we get a unique insight into Mentzer as a person, and as a… Continue reading John Little, Heavy Duty: The Wisdom of Mike Mentzer, Iron Man, August (2008), 267-269.
In many ways my home gym has ruined me. I no longer stress about how and where to workout. I have completely missed the influx of influencers and tripods on the gym floor and, owing to family/work commitments, my training schedule has fluctuated wildly (hello 10 pm deadlifts!). As I lose touch with my fellow… Continue reading Who Invented the Deadlift Bar?
I grew up on the internet memes of the 2000s and nothing was more pervasive than 'friends don't let friends skip leg day' or some variaton thereof. What was innocent for the time was a rallying call for trainees to actually train their legs and not just focus on the upperbody. Despite the recency bias… Continue reading Why Strong Legs Are Important!
Studying the History of Fitness