Reg Park was one of the most influential figures in mid-twentieth-century strength culture. A multiple-time Mr Universe winner and widely regarded as the strongest bodybuilder of his era, Park built his reputation on heavy barbell lifting as much as physique display. He believed that muscular development without demonstrable strength was incomplete, and he spent much… Continue reading Why Reg Park Believed Bodybuilders Should Lift Heavy
Early this week I had a wonderful conversation with someone about the value of studying fitness history to inform our current practices. One of the issues we touched on was how rarely, if ever, modern powerlifters seem to pay homage to older legends. Outside of some folks like Ed Coan it seems like the greats… Continue reading John Kuc’s Beginner Power lifter Routine
The following workout comes from the wonderful A Portrait of Dorian Yates: The Ultimate Bodybuilding Guide from the Ultimate Bodybuilder by the late Peter McGough. For those who don't know, Peter was one of bodybuilding's most authoritative journalists for several decades. He was intimately linked with Dorian and it was Peter who bestowed Dorian with… Continue reading Dorian Yates’ Olympia Winning Workout
Okay, so it has finally happened. I began this website in 2014 and, in that time, I have done my best to create useful content on the history of the iron game. I have promoted old-school exercises, republished forgotten articles and chapters, and, in many instances, written biographies or histories of cool events. Although my… Continue reading What’s the Best Way to do a Barbell Leg Press?
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)
Clancy Ross was one of America's most impressive mid-century bodybuilders. Winner of the 1945 AAU Mr. America, Ross appeared on multiple bodybuilding magazines during these years. This article was published one year after Ross's famous victory over Steve Reeves in the 1947 Mr. USA contest. Some cool things to notice about this program 1. Ross… Continue reading Vic Tanny, ‘Clancy Ross’s Training Program,’ Strength & Health Magazine 1949
When I did the original outline for this article I tried to think of an appealing title. Many trainees do no leg work at all, and those that do usually do not do enough. I thought an appealing title might entice some of them into including leg work in their training programs. I later decided… Continue reading John Kuc, ‘A Guide to Thigh Development’ (1984)
When I did the original outline for this article I tried to think of an appealing title. Many trainees do no leg work at all, and those that do usually do not do enough. I thought an appealing title might entice some of them into including leg work in their training programs. I later decided… Continue reading John Kuc, ‘A Guide to Thigh Development’ (1984)
When I did the original outline for this article I tried to think of an appealing title. Many trainees do no leg work at all, and those that do usually do not do enough. I thought an appealing title might entice some of them into including leg work in their training programs. I later decided… Continue reading John Kuc, ‘A Guide to Thigh Development’ (1984)
