Undoubtedly we've all been faced with the question, who is stronger? As a teenager it emerged when those weighing 150 lbs. or less sought to square up to their heavier brethren. Was it more impressive bench pressing 200 lbs. at 150 or 280 lbs. at 200 lbs. bodyweight? While our adolescent selves often solved this… Continue reading The Confusing History of Strength Co-Efficients
Ed Coan entered his first powerlifting competition at 16 years old, he went on become one of the best (if not THE best) powerlifters in the world. Here is my candid conversation with The Legend, Ed Coan. POWER: How did you get into powerlifting? ED: I saw Kaz [Bill Kazmier] on TV. That was the… Continue reading Mark Bell, ‘One on One with Ed Coan’, Power Magazine, 1, no. 1 (2009), 28-31.
No matter if you believe that detox is beneficial or a complete fad, one is for sure—detox has been used by many civilizations for thousands of years. According to research, many detox practices date back to ancient China, Egypt, India, America and even Rome. So what do you need to know about this practice’s history… Continue reading Guest Post: History of Detox: Important Things You Need to Know about This Practice
I TAKE it for granted that no one can enter into training for any sport including weight-lifting, and even practice for physical development only, without encountering monotony in training, which threatens to upset all schemes for daily exercise, throwing one back in one’s work, especially as staleness makes its appearance. I, of course, am more… Continue reading Arthur Saxon, The Bugbear of Training—How to Avoid, The Development of Physical Power (London, 1906)
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)
If you thought bodybuilding and serious involvement in sport is mere exercising and pushing your body to its limits, think again. Of course, building up your muscle mass is crucial. However, you won’t get far with just that alone. In the era of food full of additives, one might frown upon the mere mention of… Continue reading Guest Post: All-in-one History of Protein Shakes
Arnold Schwarzenegger has worked a lot of jobs. Few people can class bodybuilder, promoter, governor, actor, and author on their resumes. Arnold has worked so many jobs that it is hard to keep up. That is why I always love discovering some of the lesser-known examples of the Austrian Oak earning a quick buck or… Continue reading Arnold the Gym Spokesman
For a long time, but especially in the last 40-50 years, the fitness industry has been growing and moving away from its humble beginnings. What was once just a way to maintain health and show off power has turned into a multi-billion industry. In order to show our appreciation for all things fitness, here’s a… Continue reading Guest Post: Fitness Trivia: A Brief History of “Old School” Fitness Equipment
The secret of my strength explained. Many physical culturists possess large-size muscles, yet they lack something-something fundamental. Some possess it in a degree more than others, but they have not specialized in its training. Have you seen my performance on the stage? If so, you have probably noticed that my movements, when performing a feat… Continue reading Samson, ‘The Secret of My Strength Explained’, Samson’s System and Methods (c. 1920s)
