When I first became interested in barbells, I collected a lot of data about weight-lifting records. There was a time when I could tell you the world’s record in almost any lift you could mention. I could tell you the records for the best men in the different nations at the same lift. I knew… Continue reading Alan Calvert, ‘Some Lifting Records,’ Super Strength. 1924
Three or four centuries ago, some lawyers in Europe decided that a man was legally of age when he became 21 years old. Apparently, the reasoning was that a youth of 21 had acquired sufficient experience and judgment to manage his own affairs. It is a peculiar fact that thousands of people today believe that… Continue reading Alan Calvert, The Man of Thirty: Can He Improve Physically?
When I first became interested in barbells I collected a lot of data about weight- lifting records. There was a time when I could tell you the world’s record in almost any lift you could mention. I could tell you the records for the best men in the different nations at the same lift. I… Continue reading Alan Calvert on Deadlifting Records (1924)
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 Alan Calvert, ‘Tricks of Lifting and Trickery of Lifters,’ Confidential Information of Lifting and Lifters (Philadelphia, 1926), 13-16.
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 How to Squat Without a Squat Rack?
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 Alan Calvert, Why Are Parents So Bitterly Opposed to Heavy-Weight Exercise?, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ON LIFTING AND LIFTERS (1926)
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 exerÂcises for two or three months. He practices every other… Continue reading Alan Calvert, ‘General Training Program’, Health, Strength and Development (Philadelphia, c. 1920s).
I frankly confess that when I was young I was just as much hypnotised by proÂfessional "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 Alan Calvert, ‘Are Weight-Lifters Stronger Than Other Men?’, Confidential Information on Lifters and Lifting (Philadelphia, 1926)
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 exerÂcises for two or three months. He practices every other… Continue reading Alan Calvert, ‘General Training Program’, Health, Strength and Development (Philadelphia, c. 1920s).
I frankly confess that when I was young I was just as much hypnotised by proÂfessional "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 Alan Calvert, ‘Are Weight-Lifters Stronger Than Other Men?’, Confidential Information on Lifters and Lifting (Philadelphia, 1926)
