Alan Calvert, ‘Tricks of Lifting and Trickery of Lifters,’ Confidential Information of Lifting and Lifters (Philadelphia, 1926), 13-16.

Alan Calvert was one of the most important strength entrepreneurs in twentieth-century America. The founder of Milo Barbell and Strength magazine, Calvert helped bring barbells and weights to the masses in the early 1900s. What makes him an even more fascinating figure is that in later years, Calvert became deeply disgusted with America's burgeoning fitness... Continue Reading →

July 6, 2022 0

How to Squat Without a Squat Rack?

How do you squat without a squat rack? Don't worry this isn't another post about the trials and tribulations of a home gym (I've already done that here). No this is about the early 1900s and the difficulties facing the average barbell man or woman. The birth of our modern fitness cultures can be traced... Continue Reading →

September 10, 2021 8

Alan Calvert, Why Are Parents So Bitterly Opposed to Heavy-Weight Exercise?, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ON LIFTING AND LIFTERS (1926)

Parents! I might add wives, sisters, brothers and friends. Now, I am going to put it right squarely up to you; if you happen to be a young bar-bell enthusiast. When you bought your bar-bell, did your father and mother applaud your decision? Or did they beg you not to take the risks attendant on... Continue Reading →

September 8, 2021 0

Alan Calvert, ‘General Training Program’, Health, Strength and Development (Philadelphia, c. 1920s).

Hundreds of prospective pupils write me to ask how long they will have to train; how much time they will have to spend each week, etc., etc. This seems a good place to answer those questions. The average pupil practices the first course in developing exercises for two or three months. He practices every other... Continue Reading →

September 23, 2020 1

Alan Calvert, ‘Are Weight-Lifters Stronger Than Other Men?’, Confidential Information on Lifters and Lifting (Philadelphia, 1926)

I frankly confess that when I was young I was just as much hypnotised by professional "strong men" as you are today. I was as strong as the average boy; maybe a little stronger, for I could take a 65 lb. solid iron dumb-bell and push it slowly above my head with my right arm. But... Continue Reading →

June 8, 2020 1

Alan Calvert, ‘General Training Program’, Health, Strength and Development (Philadelphia, c. 1920s).

December 2, 2019 0

Alan Calvert, ‘Are Weight-Lifters Stronger Than Other Men?’, Confidential Information on Lifters and Lifting (Philadelphia, 1926)

October 30, 2019 3

Harry Paschall, ‘The Ideal Man’, Muscle Molding (1950)

For mid-century American Iron Heads Harry Paschall represented one of the most informative and humorous writers on all things related to fitness. Through the use of cartoons and an alter ego named Bosco, Paschall provided just the right mixture of old school methodology combined with the latest ideas, exercises and techniques. If you want to... Continue Reading →

January 12, 2018 4

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Tag: Alan Calvert

Alan Calvert, ‘Tricks of Lifting and Trickery of Lifters,’ Confidential Information of Lifting and Lifters (Philadelphia, 1926), 13-16.

How to Squat Without a Squat Rack?

Alan Calvert, Why Are Parents So Bitterly Opposed to Heavy-Weight Exercise?, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ON LIFTING AND LIFTERS (1926)

Alan Calvert, ‘General Training Program’, Health, Strength and Development (Philadelphia, c. 1920s).

Alan Calvert, ‘Are Weight-Lifters Stronger Than Other Men?’, Confidential Information on Lifters and Lifting (Philadelphia, 1926)

Alan Calvert, ‘General Training Program’, Health, Strength and Development (Philadelphia, c. 1920s).

Alan Calvert, ‘Are Weight-Lifters Stronger Than Other Men?’, Confidential Information on Lifters and Lifting (Philadelphia, 1926)

Harry Paschall, ‘The Ideal Man’, Muscle Molding (1950)

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