Tag: Physical Culture

Mark Berry
Resources, Training

Mark Berry, ‘Some Peculiarities to be Observed in Arranging Exercise Programs for Great Numbers of Men,’ Physical Training Simplified (c. 1930, Mark Berry).

Conor Heffernan

From experience in observing and supervising the exercise of men of all classes, we have learned a few little points not generally understood by the average physical culturist. It is also probable that the average instructor has not the proper opportunity to observe these facts, which are so necessary when exercise is to be prescribed.… Continue reading Mark Berry, ‘Some Peculiarities to be Observed in Arranging Exercise Programs for Great Numbers of Men,’ Physical Training Simplified (c. 1930, Mark Berry).

Resources, Training

Arthur Saxon, The Bugbear of Training—How to Avoid, The Development of Physical Power (London, 1906)

Conor Heffernan

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)

Basics, Nutrition

The Bodybuilding History of Bovril

Conor Heffernan

Bovril is a blended meat extract created by Scotsman John Lawrence during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). Made primarily from Beef, Bovril quickly associated itself with ideas of British nationalism and the caricatured embodiment of Britain, ‘John Bull’. This was certainly the case during the Second South African War when Bovril advertisements explicitly told of its… Continue reading The Bodybuilding History of Bovril

Basics, Biographies, Resources

Samson, ‘The Secret of My Strength Explained’, Samson’s System and Methods (c. 1920s)

Conor Heffernan

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)

Basics, Training

Arthur Saxon, ‘Routine of Training’, The Development of Physical Power (London, 1906)

Conor Heffernan

WITH regard to the routine of training, I again repeat, my idea is not to develop muscle at the expense of either health or strength. It is really impossible for me to prescribe special exercises with fixed time limits for same, and fixed days for each individual who may ready this book, as we are… Continue reading Arthur Saxon, ‘Routine of Training’, The Development of Physical Power (London, 1906)

Resources

Brawny Books: Edmond Desbonnet, The Kings of Strength (David Chapman Translation)

Conor Heffernan

Very few things excite me more than a new book on physical culture. It's a sad admission. Believe me I'm well aware but it is nonetheless true. While the fitness industry is a haven for new, often uninformed, websites and ebooks, a well researched history is often lacking. One of the few men to consistently… Continue reading Brawny Books: Edmond Desbonnet, The Kings of Strength (David Chapman Translation)

Resources, Training

The Lost Art of Swingbell Training

Conor Heffernan

Looking for something to break the monotony of dumbbell and barbell training? Admit it, every once and a while you like to try something new. Exercises or machines that truly test you. Well today, we're going to look at the Swingbell, an old school piece of bodybuilding equipment promoted by York during the heyday of… Continue reading The Lost Art of Swingbell Training

Image of Thomas Inch Deadlifting
Resources, Training

How Do You a Single Handed Dead Lift? 1920s Style

Conor Heffernan

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

Resources, Training

Can You Workout With Just A Towel?

Conor Heffernan

Yes! Well kind of. Now before you say a single thing, don't worry. I am not going to encourage you to throw away your gym memberships or workout gear. Although if you do want to donate any dumbbells or barbells, my doors are always open. No, instead I want to look at a wonderful book… Continue reading Can You Workout With Just A Towel?

Louis Cyr w/Dumbbell
Biographies

How Much Could Louis Cyr Eat?

Conor Heffernan

I have spoken so much of Louis' great strength that now I must tell you of his great weakness - eating. His excuse for eating so much was that his great expenditure of strength required it. That was just his joke, though, for he was a slave to the table all his life. He could… Continue reading How Much Could Louis Cyr Eat?