A quick tip on military pressing from the Iron Guru himself, Vince Gironda. Known for his unique approach to the bench press and the squat, it should come as no surprise to learn that Gironda was equally opinionated when it came to the military press. At a time when back bending and sloppy form had… Continue reading Vince Gironda, ‘Presses – Vince’s Gym Style’, Ironman Magazine, 29:2 (1969), 20
Known as 'The Myth' for his quite frankly cartoon like proportions, Sergio Oliva has long occupied a hallowed place in Bodybuilding's pantheon of greats. Mr. Olympia in 1967, 1968 and 1969, Oliva inspired a generation of gym goers and iron addicts. Somewhat frustratingly, footage of the man training is relatively hard to come by, hence my… Continue reading Sergio Oliva Trains Shoulders
Monkey or Armpit Rows... Admittedly it's not the most enticing of names. Regardless of its poor labelling the following exercise is one of my favourite forgotten exercises of recent times. A godsend for individuals with shoulder pain, Monkey Rows offer a great alternative to commonplace exercises for trap and deltoid development like the upright row.… Continue reading Forgotten Exercises: Monkey Rows
At this point in my series of articles I think it is appropriate to introduce one of the greatest Super Stars in the physique world past or preset. The man is Boyer Coe. From my observations of people who are interested in physical development and physique contests, there are usually one or two men who… Continue reading Dennis Weis, ‘Bits of Advice & Routines Number 6’, Iron Man Magazine, March (1977).
One of the most maligned exercises of recent decades has been the military press done behind the neck. Owing it is said to the undue stress this exercise places on the shoulder joints, lifters have been advised to avoid this technique at all costs. I, for many years, was one of those lifters. Not only… Continue reading Forgotten Exercises: The Bradford Press
Regular readers of this blog will be aware of my fondness for Indian clubs. I've posted on them at several points, published a few academic articles on them and even spent a year in Cambridge doing a thesis on them. Alongside and indeed fuelling this interest, has been my daily use of the Indian clubs.… Continue reading Product Review: Heroic Sport’s Pahlavandle Clubs
I was flicking through some old strength magazines during the weekend and came across a lift that I doubt many of us are familiar with. Called the 'Seesaw' press, it is essentially a standing dumbbell shoulder press but instead of pressing both dumbbells at the same time, you alternate between reps. As you lower one dumb-bell, you… Continue reading Forgotten Exercises: The See-Saw Press
