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 knew… Continue reading Alan Calvert, ‘Some Lifting Records,’ Super Strength. 1924
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?
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?
For better or for worse I grew up in the early internet days of the fitness industry. Combining Joe Weider magazines with random forums, I hobbled together a training program guaranteed to blitz my biceps, slice my quads and shred my abs. That at least, was the promise. I remember training long hours every day… Continue reading Ian King, ‘How Hard Should I Train?,’ Get Buffed (2002)
I HAVE often been asked what it feels like to press 350 pounds with one hand, and perhaps to my readers the different sensations experienced will be interesting. In the first place, immediately I start to press the weight away from the shoulder I become perfectly oblivious to everything except the weight that I am… Continue reading Arthur Saxon, ‘What It Feels Like to Lift 350 Pounds with One Hand’, The Development of Physical Power (London, 1905), 23-24.
CULTIVATE FEARLESSNESS. Plenty of people say they need to feel the weight on their backs before a meet so they are conditioned to it. Well, I have found that it doesn’t matter how conditioned I am; the squat is always heavy. This means that when the weight is on your back in a meet or… Continue reading Scott ‘Hoss’ Cartwright, ’10 Steps to a Huge Squat,’ Power, 1 no. 1 (2009), 15-19
This is now the eighth .... EIGHTH ... year of this blog. While I don't always get the time I need or want to write for this site, it holds such a fond place in my heart. I created this website in 2014 when I had just finished my undergraduate degree. I didn't know what… Continue reading 2021: The Physical Culture Review
I am constantly fascinated with learning how strongmen and women trained. For me, one of the most interesting things about the history of fitness is learning how and why people trained, and for what reason. Today's post looks at Pat Casey, one of powerlifting's early celebrities. Pat Casey was one of the strongest men in… Continue reading The Pat Casey Workout (1963)
