Having previously discussed the history of the squat exercise, today's post examines the creation of the Rader Chest Pull, an exercise that Peary Rader, one of the Irongame's biggest names in the twentieth-century, often used in conjunction with the squat. Typically Rader would inform trainees to perform this exercise directly after a set of twenty… Continue reading Forgotten Exercises: The Rader Chest Pull
Weightlifting supplements, despite their ubiquity nowadays, are a relatively new addition to the realm of weightlifting. While the practice of eating mystical substances in the hope of improved athletic performance dates to Greco-Roman times, the marketing of explicit 'body building' supplements is a far more recent phenomenon. Dating really to the emergence of physical culture… Continue reading The First Weightlifting Supplements
If you thought bodybuilding and serious involvement in sport is mere exercising and pushing your body to its limits, think again. Of course, building up your muscle mass is crucial. However, you won’t get far with just that alone. In the era of food full of additives, one might frown upon the mere mention of… Continue reading Guest Post: All-in-one History of Protein Shakes
This article, first published in Health and Strength Magazine in 1956 is a great reminder that we don't need to spend hours in the gym to maintain our fitness. In fact, the writers of this programme believed it could be done in half an hour or less. Ideal for those struggling to make time to… Continue reading Workout for a Working Man
Mentioned at various points on this particular site, the Zercher Squat has been described by many as one of the most effective but painful methods of building big quads. Uncomfortable to the nth degree, this lift isn't exactly the most popular amongst gym goers. A point which leads us into today's post. Why invent such… Continue reading The History of the Zercher Squat
If you've tried basic diet and exercise to shed unwanted pounds, chances are, you are no stranger to the weight loss plateau dilemma. When we first alter our diets by cutting calories and adding a side of exercise, we tend to shed pounds quite rapidly. Yet, once we get down to the nitty gritty of… Continue reading Guest Post: Reaching the Plateau – And Overcoming It
There are countless restrictive diets on the market and more are being created each and every day. These diets claim to drop pounds in a short space of time so that people can shed any excess fat without having to follow an exercise regimen. What is a Restrictive Diet? Restrictive diets are defined as diets… Continue reading Guest Post: Cutting the Fat: Does Restrictive Dieting Work
If you want to lose some weight to improve your health, get fitter and simply look and feel better about yourself, then cycling just might be the thing you’ve been looking for. Here is how to lose some weight by hitting the pedals. Take a look. Why choose cycling? Even though running is the queen… Continue reading Guest Post: Cycling is the new running: lose weight with cycling
Few bodybuilders are remembered solely for their individual body parts. The collective entity? Certainly. But the individual sections of the body? This is a far rarer phenomenon. While Dorian Yates may be remembered for his towering Lat spread and Tom Platz for his Quad sweep, Frank Zane holds the distinction of being remembered for his… Continue reading Frank Zane’s Ab routine
One of the common complaints amongst those who don’t exercise is that they don’t have enough time. Whilst others would argue that it’s not difficult to carve 30 minutes out of your day for the gym, it is tough to fit everything in. Early starts, late finished, not to mention family and social commitments, you… Continue reading Pushed For Time? Make Exercise Suit Your Schedule
