Here's Kevin Tolbert having a little "fun" with a loaded keg, outside Dr. Ken's place, sometime in the 1980's. Kevin was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Michigan for the last few years that I was there -- and yes, he is still training hard. Kevin is currently an assistant strength coach at Stanford University in California.Labels: Dr. Ken Leistner, Keg Lifting, Keg Training, Kevin Tolbert, Odd Object Lifting, Stanford University, Strength Coach, University ... Read Full Story

If it wasn't nailed down, you can bet that many of the Oldtime Strongmen tried to lift it - and succeeded more often than not. Here George 'Rasso' Stanglemeier lifts a cannon and two more fellows along for the ride. Stanglemeier was particularly adept at heavy supporting feats and I bet this one went over very well during his performances.Labels: , George 'Rasso' Stanglemeier, Odd Object Lifting, Supporting Feat Read Full Story

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"The Amazing Samson" Alexander Zass was adept at many feats of strength but he had unusually strong teeth. Here, he lifts a 300 pound steel girder by that method - and makes it look easy.Labels: Alexander Zass, Feats of Strength, Jaw Strength, Teeth Lifting Read Full Story

Mr. George W. Peterson, of Chicago Illinois, was an avid Indian Club swinger who was also an engineer. One day he had an interesting idea: to devise a means of attaching electric lights to his clubs whilst swinging them in a darkened theatre, thus producing a number of interesting patterns. This occurred in June of 1900.Labels: Custom Indian Clubs, Indian Club Performance, Indian Clubs Read Full Story

A very Happy Birthday to Bob Hoffman who was born on this date back in 1898. Bob grew up on a farm in Tifton, Georgia and always appreciated the value of a hard day's work. It was certainly no lack of effort which allowed him to build The York Barbell Company which taught (and continues to teach) thousands upon thousands of people the thrill of strength.Labels: Bob Hoffman, Cover, Magazine, Strength and Health Magazine, York Barbell Company Read Full Story

Tullus Wright, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, traveled the country in the late 1800s, performing in fairs and carnivals as "The American Sampson". He performed a number of traditional feats of strength but his specialty was The Human Link.Labels: Carnival Strongman, Feats of Strength, Human Link, Performing Strongman, The American Sampson, Tullus Wright Read Full Story

Throughout the years there have been a number of devices created for building grip strength. Here's a look at "Terry's Wrist Exerciser!" which was simple but effective. Terry's brand of equipment was most often advertised in the British strength publications.Labels: Antique Equipment, Equipment, Grip Strength, Grip Training Equipment, Hand Gripper, Terry's, Read Full Story

Luigi Monticelli Obizzi, an Italian Marquis, led a very active childhood involved in gymnastics, swimming, fencing and rowing, but did not take up weightlifting until 20 years old.He found that he was quite adept at it, so much so that in 1890, Obizzi founded the Milan Athletic Club and was instrumental in spreading weightlifting and physical training throughout Europe. At the Italian Weightlifting Championship, he finished 3rd, in 1897 and 2nd in 1901 and 1902.Working closely with Professor... Read Full Story

Bob Zuver liked to do everything up BIG at his gym... he had the world's biggest squat rack (over 10 feet tall), the world's longest dipping station (12 feet long), dumbbells up to 320 pounds, the World's biggest rope climb, the world's biggest bench press (which weighed 650 pounds) and even a fire hose for a drinking fountain.Shown here is a closer look at Zuver's unique barbell plates, which were, unsurprisingly, also BIG... as you can see, they were in 50-pound, 100-pound, 150-pound and 20... Read Full Story