This article first appeared in Bob Hoffman's Strength and Health Magazine in 1957. It details the point scoring for the precusors for today's modern bodybuilding shows. Of particular interest are the categories dealing with muscularity and athleticism. Many of us forget that physique competitions used to include some form of strength component dealing with the… Continue reading Judging a Physique Contest
LONG before Arnold Schwarzenegger became a movie star and pumping iron a glamour business, weight lifting built the York Barbell Company into a strapping success. York Barbell, founded 54 years ago, put York on the map as Muscletown U.S.A., and still brings Olympic weight lifters here to train. The company still dominates the barbell business,… Continue reading Thomas Goldwasser, ‘Pumping Iron, Not Concrete’, The New York Times (1986)
For American weightlifters of the mid-twentieth century, Bob Hoffman was the guru of the Iron Game. Owner of York Barbell, Hoffman's ambitious career saw him produce some of the first protein supplements, work with giants of the game like John Grimek and coach thousands of young lifters interested in building their physiques. For interested parties,… Continue reading Rare Bob Hoffman Interview
A piece of equipment so commonplace on the gym floor that we often take its very existence for granted. That, at least, is my impression of the E-Z Bar. Having previously discussed the history of barbells, the ancient origins of the dumbbell and even the Swiss Ball for God's sake, it's somewhat shameful that the… Continue reading Who Invented the EZ bar?
This article first appeared in Bob Hoffman's Strength and Health Magazine in 1957. It details the point scoring for the precusors for today's modern bodybuilding shows. Of particular interest are the categories dealing with muscularity and athleticism. Many of us forget that physique competitions used to include some form of strength component dealing with the… Continue reading Judging a Physique Contest
A piece of equipment so commonplace on the gym floor that we often take its very existence for granted. That, at least, is my impression of the E-Z Bar. Having previously discussed the history of barbells, the ancient origins of the dumbbell and even the Swiss Ball for God's sake, it's somewhat shameful that the… Continue reading Who Invented the EZ bar?
Never afraid to promote his own products in line with good workout advice, Bob Hoffman and York Barbell were once the go to suppliers of knowledge within the Iron Game. A position Hoffman often used to great financial and sporting advantage. Nevertheless Bob and his team did produce some good pamphlets on training as evidenced… Continue reading Bob Hoffman (1943) – How to Build Super Strength, Health and Development with the York Leg Developing Course
As many readers will no doubt be aware, protein bars have become almost ubiquitous in certain parts of the Western world, owing in part to their durability and in part to their successful advertising. Indeed, at the time of writing, I can walk five minutes to the local shop where I will be greeted by… Continue reading Bob Hoffman and the World’s First Protein Bar
If you could only perform one exercise for the rest of your training career, what would it be? Such a question plagues the online forums as an inciter for heated debates about why the deadlift or squat reigns supreme. This question is as old as time itself, as many famous physical culturists gave their opinion on… Continue reading Hoffman’s Ultimate Muscle Building Exercise
Unless you've been living under a rock, you will be well aware that protein powders are big business. Nowadays protein powders, bars and even brownies can be picked up in airports, gas stations and local convenience stores. Gone are the days when your Whey protein was sold in a shady part of town by a… Continue reading Soy, Science and Selling: Bob Hoffman’s Hi-Proteen Powder
