Resources

Muscles, Misinformation, and the Death of the Fitness Magazine

Alternative title: A Character Study in Why I Hate Social Media Social media killed the fitness magazine—and the internet just watched. Today I want to take stock and talk about the humble fitness magazine. When were fitness magazines first sold, why did people buy them and why, ultimately, did people discard them. While it may… Continue reading Muscles, Misinformation, and the Death of the Fitness Magazine

Basics, Resources

Rare 1965 Mr. Olympia Footage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o391Xd0ycSM&feature=youtu.be The Mr. Olympia contest is still the pinnacle of the bodybuilding calendar. Previously on this website we've looked at the competition's contest report which spoke of the great Larry Scott, who swept all other challengers aside. Well, thanks to STG Strength and Power we also have video footage of the competition itself. Looking at the competition… Continue reading Rare 1965 Mr. Olympia Footage

Basics, Biographies, Resources, Training

Joe Weider, ‘How it All Began’, Joe Weider Bodybuilding System (Weider Health & Fitness, 1988), 5-7.

As a Weider student you should be interested to know that the Weider System is the most popular and successful bodybuilding course in the world. Because of my 50 years of involvement in the sport, the Weider System is the basis of all modern bodybuilding and weight-training techniques. Literally everything in bodybuilding has sprung from… Continue reading Joe Weider, ‘How it All Began’, Joe Weider Bodybuilding System (Weider Health & Fitness, 1988), 5-7.

Resources, Training

Joe Weider’s Advanced Split Routine

It’s been a while since I posted an old-school workout on this website. This was unintentional and driven, largely, by my own interest in stories as opposed to sets. Nevertheless it is good to return to the well every know and then and where better to go than the Trainer of Champions himself, Joe Weider.… Continue reading Joe Weider’s Advanced Split Routine

Training

The Rise of Split Training in Bodybuilding

Chest/Triceps, Back/Biceps and Legs/Shoulders. The Holy Trinity of bodybuilding split routines. Nowadays the idea of split routines is so ingrained in the fitness community that the idea of whole body training for anyone other than a beginner is scoffed at. This is despite the fact that men like Eugen Sandow, George Hackenschmidt right up to Reg Park… Continue reading The Rise of Split Training in Bodybuilding

Training

The Rise of Split Training in Bodybuilding

Chest/Triceps, Back/Biceps and Legs/Shoulders. The Holy Trinity of bodybuilding split routines. Nowadays the idea of split routines is so ingrained in the fitness community that the idea of whole body training for anyone other than a beginner is scoffed at. This is despite the fact that men like Eugen Sandow, George Hackenschmidt right up to Reg Park… Continue reading The Rise of Split Training in Bodybuilding

Joe Weider Course
Resources, Training

Joe Weider, ‘How to Make Up Your Own Routine,’ Joe Weider’s Bodybuilding System (1942)

I have brought you through the first three months of training three times a week on your whole body. I have brought you through my special advance split system of training and finally my special bulk and power routine. You've seen how to incorporate all that into my cycle system of training. Now I will… Continue reading Joe Weider, ‘How to Make Up Your Own Routine,’ Joe Weider’s Bodybuilding System (1942)

Image of Clancy Ross
Resources, Training

Bodybuilding and the Mail Order Ad

From Eugen Sandow to Charles Atlas, physical culturists have long made a living through mail order ads. Check out this old Arnie one from the late 1960s flogging the latest Weider product. So next time you grow weary of the hyperbole from today's modern advertisements, just remember that such ads are a time honored tradition… Continue reading Bodybuilding and the Mail Order Ad

Resources

Joe Weider’s Power Bracelet

Joe Weider is undoubtedly a divisive figure in the history of bodybuilding. Influential to the nth degree regarding the modern climate of the sport, Weider has been continually criticised for selling snake oil supplements to a naive public. Today's post briefly examines Joe's 'Hell-Bent for Leather N'Lead' product, a set of bracelets brought out by… Continue reading Joe Weider’s Power Bracelet

Basics, Resources

Rare 1965 Mr. Olympia Footage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o391Xd0ycSM&feature=youtu.be The Mr. Olympia contest is still the pinnacle of the bodybuilding calendar. Previously on this website we've looked at the competition's contest report which spoke of the great Larry Scott, who swept all other challengers aside. Well, thanks to STG Strength and Power we also have video footage of the competition itself. Looking at the competition… Continue reading Rare 1965 Mr. Olympia Footage