In 1927 German strongman Hermann Goerner stood incensed on a weightlifting platform after the local English judges disqualified his record-breaking 650lbs. deadlift. His crime? He failed to deadlift in the English style, which was a peculiar form favored by the British Amateur Weightlifting Association. Goerner put his anger to good use as he promptly put… Continue reading Why is the Deadlift World Record so Controversial?
Today we discuss a bouncing deadlift done with heavy weights. Yes, really. Now before anyone loses their mind remember two things about this website It is interested in the history of fitness I am not a doctor (well technically I am a doctor of history but 'Big Medicine' won't let me give medical opinions) So… Continue reading Forgotten Exercises: The Hopper Deadlift
Three time World Strongest Man champion Bill Kazmaier was an absolute golaith during his career. Excelling in both powerlifting and strongman, there is little doubt that Kaz is one of the most impressive strength athletes of all time. He had the static strength needed to excel in powerlifting, the athleticism needed for strongman and the… Continue reading Bill Kazmaier’s Squat and Deadlift Program
In many ways my home gym has ruined me. I no longer stress about how and where to workout. I have completely missed the influx of influencers and tripods on the gym floor and, owing to family/work commitments, my training schedule has fluctuated wildly (hello 10 pm deadlifts!). As I lose touch with my fellow… Continue reading Who Invented the Deadlift Bar?
Last weekend Tom Stoltman won the World Strongest Man for the third time. This is an incredible feat, given that he is 29 years old. For those who don't religiously follow the sport, and shame on you, Mariusz Pudzianowski currently holds the most victories with 5 titles. There is a very good chance that Stoltman… Continue reading What is your Favorite Feat of Strength?
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)
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 How Do You a Single Handed Dead Lift? 1920s Style
Admittedly this is an exercise for your physical culture purist. Stemming from the early origins of physical culture in the late nineteenth-century, English style deadlifts are unlikely to be seen in your gym any time soon. Nevertheless, this style of lifting was hugely popular amongst British and European lifters of yesteryear. Used by Goliaths like… Continue reading Forgotten Exercises: English Style Deadlifts
Many years ago, before most of today's weight trainees were even a gleam in their daddy's eye, a fellow named John Y. Smith used to specialize in the one-handed deadlift. The late Harry Paschall, who used to write quite regularly for Iron Man Magazine in the 1950's, had met Smith several years earlier and, in… Continue reading Michael H. Brown, ‘Developing an Iron Claw’ (1974)
I have, I believe, been fairly open about my love of the World's Strongest Man, specifically the opening decade of the competition. Whereas today's competition is professional, modern and scientific, the contests of yesteryear were undoubtedly more tongue-in-cheek. This is not to say that the contests were no less contested and the competitors impressive but… Continue reading Deadlifting Cheese at the World’s Strongest Man (1983)
