One point that always fascinates me about training is the sheer diversity one finds when it comes to training systems, exercises and training philosophies. What works for one trainee can prove pointless to another. No matter how good the programme, it often has to be tailored towards the individual, and indeed, we often find that … Continue reading Bob Gajda’s Peripheral Heart Action (PHA) Training
The Association Organized in 1922 and implemented in 1924, the purpose of the American Continental Weight-Lifters Association (ACWLA) was to preach and plan standardized (according to an American standard vs. the European standard) weight-lifting events across the United States. The two-year waiting period was said to have been caused by Macfadden’ physique contest (won by … Continue reading The American Continental Weight-Lifters Association
Unless you own a home gym, the issue of whether or not you train to music is usually decided for you. Nowadays the gym stereo is a much a part of the gym floor as the weights themselves. Depending on your gym, the decision to leave your headphones at home results in anything from pop … Continue reading Should you Workout to Music? Old School Approaches
A reoccurring phenomenon when researching the IFBB or the Weider brothers is the presence of controversy. As previously discussed in a different post, the establishment of the International Federation of BodyBuilding was not without its conflicts and controversies. Naturally, it seems, as founder of the federation and as, we must acknowledge it, kingpin of bodybuilding, … Continue reading Would the Real Joe Weider Please Stand Up
Strength training has always been synonymous with the so-called "Iron Game," a broad generic term that includes the competitive lifting of heavy objects by "strongmen/women" during the last century or so. Feats of lifting strength, however, have appeared throughout the history of most nations, but it has only been in very recent times that training … Continue reading Dr. Mel Siff, A Short History of Strength and Conditioning (Dolfzine, 2003)
Katie Sandwina was a professional strong woman who performed in John Ringling's circuses in the early 1900s. She was celebrated for great feats of strength, such as carrying a 600-pound cannon on her back, and lesser ones, like executing the manual of arms with her 160-pound husband Max instead of a rifle. Sandwina was a … Continue reading Sarah Pileggi, ‘The Pleasure of Being the World’s Strongest Women’, (Sports Illustrated, 1977)
While researching about strongmen, strength, and various exercises, the practice of lifting stones seem to arise more often than not. You don’t believe me? Keep reading and visit the links at the bottom of this post. Before proceeding, it is important for Conor and I to add that this post would not be possible without … Continue reading Stone Lifting – It’s a History Thing.
