Those interested in weightlifting and physical culture more generally are in a rather privileged position. Numerous websites, ourselves included, detail the various intricacies of the Iron Game's History. Numerous websites offer old magazines and books free of charge and forums exist to help interested parties find every possible thing they can imagine. Rarely though is... Continue Reading →
Lee Moran And the Thousand Pound Squat
Who was the first man to legitimately squat 1,000 lbs.? Its a simple question, with a disputed answer. As covered previously on this site, Dave Waddington was credited with a 1,013 lbs. squat in 1981. There was just one problem. No officials had seen Dave's efforts, meaning that his squat although impressive, was relegated to... Continue Reading →
The History of the Burpee
An exercise loved and loathed across classrooms, the Burpee can be found in P.E. classes, conditioning circuits and anywhere where trainees are searching to shed pounds and increase definition. As simple as it is difficult, the exercise is often engaged in with relative unenthusiasm. In fact, I have yet to meet anyone who genuinely enjoys... Continue Reading →
Running by John McCallum (1967)
Known more for his incredible bulking routines than a love of aerobics, the following article comes from John McCallum, one of physical culture's best known writers in the twentieth-century. Seeking to marry aerobic and anaerobic forms of exercise, the article (first published in 1967) is an interesting reminder that the idea of 'cardio' having a place in... Continue Reading →
The Lamb-chop and Pineapple Diet
Hollywood transformations have long been a subject of intense public scrutiny. From Christina Bale's incredible body transformations for what seems like most of his movies to Charlize Theron's weight gain for Monster, we the consumer have read in amazement at the lengths actors seem to go to in order to secure a part. This, it would seem,... Continue Reading →
Workout for a Working Man
This article, first published in Health and Strength Magazine in 1956 is a great reminder that we don't need to spend hours in the gym to maintain our fitness. In fact, the writers of this programme believed it could be done in half an hour or less. Ideal for those struggling to make time to... Continue Reading →
Sports Illustrated, ‘Titans of Testosterone’, 1999 World’s Strongest Man Article.
Titans Of Testosterone The (mostly) juiced-up athletes competing for the title of World's Strongest Man tote stones, toss kegs and tow trucks for puny paychecks and the glory of exposure on late-night cable TV By Jack McCallum You see them at all hours of the day and night, lifting cars, pulling buses, lugging around absurdly... Continue Reading →
Bigger Faster Stronger: The Mr. Olympia
Bodybuilders, like most other professional athletes in the last four decades, have undergone an unprecedented change. Whereas the first Mr. Olympia weighed in at just over 200 lbs, the modern champion is more likely to be sixty pounds heavier and leaner as well. While the reasons for this, at least in bodybuilding, are clear, it is still... Continue Reading →
The Three Types of Manly Form
Published in the San Francisco Examiner in 1894, the above illustration depicts the Apollo Belvedere alongside the famed US boxer Peter Jackson and, of course, Eugen Sandow. Disputing the various forms of manly beauty, the response to the cartoon was surprising to say the least. While many lauded Sandow's physique, others were less than impressed. John Stanton from... Continue Reading →
Don Ross’ Foundation Bodybuilding Routines
Not many people nowadays speak about 'The Ripper' and 'Bronx Barbarian'. Born in the mid 1940s, Don Ross, who went by these stage names, was a highly popular and influential bodybuilding writer in the 1980s and early 1990s. Plying his trade both within the Iron Game and professional wrestler, his articles and even TV appearances... Continue Reading →