A Website Dedicated to the Study of Strength, Health, Fitness and Sport Across Centuries, Countries and Contests.
I should be untruthful did I follow the example of certain strong men who have made it their business to say they are weakly invalids at the commencement of their training, but, by the secret method, made themselves into strong men … Arthur Saxon, The Development of Physical Power (London, 1905), 3. I'm hurt, I'm... Continue Reading →
Electronic Muscle Stimulators (EMS) have emerged as a revolutionary technology in the field of health and fitness. These devices use electrical impulses to stimulate muscles, providing a wide range of benefits, from medical rehabilitation to enhancing athletic performance. This article delves into the history, science, applications, and future prospects of muscle stimulators, highlighting their impact... Continue Reading →
Name a more iconic duo than Franco and Arnold. Within the sport of bodybuilding, the relationship between Franco Columbu and Arnold Schwarzenegger was of the most enduring and impactful the sport has ever seen. From Pumping Iron to controversial Olympia wins, they did it all! Okay, that last line was tongue in cheek but, more... Continue Reading →
The fitness industry has experienced significant growth and transformation over the years, with public gyms playing a central role in promoting physical fitness and well-being. From humble beginnings to the sprawling fitness centers we see today, the evolution of the public gym reflects changing societal attitudes towards health, exercise, and personal fitness goals. If you... Continue Reading →
A few weeks ago I published a short article on Henry Rollins' short essay, 'The Iron and the Soul.' Rollins' appreciation for the deeper meaning of exercise struck a chord with me early in my training career and, like an old jumper, is something that brings me comfort to this day. The essay spoke to... Continue Reading →
Sports marketing and advertising have undergone remarkable transformations throughout history, revolutionizing the way we perceive and engage with sports. From its humble beginnings to the digital age, this field has evolved to shape the relationship between sports, fans, and brands. If you want to learn more about these things, here are a few things you... Continue Reading →
I am currently working on my next book project, this time studying the history of women's Olympic weightlifting in the United States. Funded, in part, by the Olympic Studies Center, I had the pleasure of studying the International Weightlifting Federation's minutes and magazines from the 1970s to the present day. Housed in Lausanne, Switzerland, this... Continue Reading →
The history of HIIT dates back much further than its modern-day popularity. In fact, the roots of interval training can be traced back to ancient civilizations. The early Greeks, particularly the Olympians, utilized interval-style workouts to improve their athletic performance. Runners would alternate between sprinting and walking or jogging, while ancient martial arts training involved... Continue Reading →
My love of the World Strongest Man Competition is obvious. If you don't believe, just check out some of our previous posts on the weird and wonderful of the WSM. In particular I am a huge fan of the early WSM shows. They were a time when the sport had not yet professionalized. In reality,... Continue Reading →
The following post is taken directly from Thomas Inch's 1920s work, On Strength. Inch, as we have previously discussed on Physical Culture Study, was one of the early and influential British physical culturists. Inch was a weightlifter, weightlifting organizer and a prolific writer. He wrote for several decades with Health and Strength magazine, likely contributed... Continue Reading →