In December of 1955, Joe Weider published the first issue of Junior Mr. America magazine. Aimed at teenagers and young men between the ages of 12 to 21, Junior Mr. America highlighted the importance of the younger community for bodybuilding entrepreneurs. Packed with training, dating and general life advice, the magazine was viewed by many teenagers as a godsend. … Continue reading Joe Weider’s Weight Gain Contest (1955)
Big Norman Williams is all set to break the big biceps tape of 20 1/2 inches none filled by Leroy Colbert. Can he do it? Norm thinks these unusual exercises which he now uses will do the trick. What do you think? I saw Norm Williams again, just recently... the first time in five years...and … Continue reading Reg Lewis – Norman Williams’ Arm Routine (Muscle Power 1962)
One of the most maligned exercises of recent decades has been the military press done behind the neck. Owing it is said to the undue stress this exercise places on the shoulder joints, lifters have been advised to avoid this technique at all costs. I, for many years, was one of those lifters. Not only … Continue reading The Bradford Press
Who? Well, Charles Glass, of course. Starting as a collegiate Gymnast at the University of California where he graduated in engineering, Glass transitioned into Olympic lifting. According to Glass, Olympic lifts were too strenuous for his body so he opted for Powerlifting; I mean, I was always a believer in lifting through the pain, but … Continue reading By Instructions you mean Suggestions, right? Charles Glass – Iron Man
When Atlas Wasn't Playing Tug-of-War he was giving out Diet Tips “I realize you are anxious to build up great strength and power as soon as possible. Here is a simple secret which should help give you the results you hope for.” Charles Atlas, Mail Order Workout Programme, Lesson Two, c.1930s In 1921 Charles Atlas … Continue reading Charles Atlas’s ‘Special Secret for Rapidly Building Enormous Power’
Is it possible to gain 63 pounds of muscle in less than a month? What about 15 pounds of muscle in twenty-two days? By any metric such results would be phenomenal but few people believe such a feat is manageable. Yet in the early 1970s, Arthur Jones, creator of the Nautilus machines, claimed it was … Continue reading HOW TO GAIN 63 POUNDS OF MUSCLE IN 28 DAYS: THE INFAMOUS COLORADO EXPERIMENT
How many times do you eat a day? Do you eat carbs after 3pm? Post-workout protein shake? Such are the questions faced by the modern day strength enthusiast. Are we overthinking the way we eat? In a world faced with a growing obesity epidemic and continuous production of low quality foods the answer may appear … Continue reading Eat like a Sandow!
