Today's post comes primarily from the Ma Strength Olympic weightlifting book written by Manuel Buitrago, an expert on Chinese weightlifting techniques. In part 1, we finished off with the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1912. From here, China entered a tumultuous period to establish itself as a Republic and gain international recognition. Therefore, reformers kept… Continue reading Guest Post: History of Chinese Weightlifting Part 2: Republican Period – Great Leap Forward
Today’s post comes primarily from the Ma Strength weightlifting book written by Manuel Buitrago, an expert on Chinese weightlifting techniques. I'm delighted to say that Manuel has offered to write a series of articles on the history of Chinese weightlifting so I would like to extend my thanks at the outset. This is a fascinating and… Continue reading Guest Post: History of Chinese Weightlifting Part 1: The Imperial Era
In 90% of the training you do the emphasis should be on picture-perfect form AND heavy weights. Cheating is undesirable, and while it SEEMS that you are working harder because you are lifting moreyou are, in fact, working less intensively since the “heavier” work is being distributed over many hefty muscle groups – instead of… Continue reading Bradley Steiner, ‘Partials, Rack Work And Isometrics’, POWERLIFTING (1972), 16-17
An absolute goliath in the training world, Douglas Ivan Hepburn or Doug for short, was one of the most respected athletes of the mid-twentieth century. Winning gold medals at the 1953 World Weightlifting Championships, the 1954 British Empire Games and a series of other contests, Hepburn is perhaps best known for his incredible power. Indeed, the Canadian… Continue reading How did Doug Hepburn Train in 1953?
The passing of Dr. Fred Hatfield in 2017 saw the passing of one of the lifting community's most prolific coaches. Known as 'Dr. Squat' thanks to his own immense strength, Hatfield also helped to popularise scientific forms of training. The above article, written sometime before 2001 is perhaps the most comprehensive guide I've come across… Continue reading Fred Hatfield, ‘I May Know Diddly, But I Know Squat!’ (2001)
This course of exercises is suitable for youths and men who are commencing weight-training and for boys of twelve years or over. The muscles are exercised through the full range of contraction, thus eliminating the possibility of "muscle binding." The routine is intended not only to normalise the muscular development and build up strength, but… Continue reading The B.A.W.L.A. Primary Physical Improvement Course c. 1948
An absolute goliath in the training world, Douglas Ivan Hepburn or Doug for short, was one of the most respected athletes of the mid-twentieth century. Winning gold medals at the 1953 World Weightlifting Championships, the 1954 British Empire Games and a series of other contests, Hepburn is perhaps best known for his incredible power. Indeed, the Canadian… Continue reading How did Doug Hepburn Train in 1953?
I'm getting older and my references are becoming more dated. So if you don't know what I'm talking about ... be kind. It first appeared in 2011. Planet Fitness, the people friendly gym chain, dropped one of the most insulting fitness advertisements seen in a long time. In fact, it was probably the most disgusting,… Continue reading Are Weightlifters Dumber Than the General Public?
It has been said of T.W. Clarke that he was a born strong man : and this, to some extent, is true. Fortune of birth, however, never made this pupil the modern Hercules he subsequently became. Harder and persistent training alone was responsible for this. When Clarke joined the Camberwell Club as a youth of… Continue reading W.A. Pullum, ‘How Clarke Trained,’ W. A. Pullum, ‘Great Strenth’, How to Use A Barbell (London, 1932),
Parents! I might add wives, sisters, brothers and friends. Now, I am going to put it right squarely up to you; if you happen to be a young bar-bell enthusiast. When you bought your bar-bell, did your father and mother applaud your decision? Or did they beg you not to take the risks attendant on… Continue reading Alan Calvert, Why Are Parents So Bitterly Opposed to Heavy-Weight Exercise?, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ON LIFTING AND LIFTERS (1926)
