One of bodybuilding's most perplexing problems is deciding on how many repetitions. In recent years there has been a tendency to standardise the number to around ten, as this is felt to provide the best combination for muscular bulk, strength and stamina. Not too many years ago the guiding rule was low reps for bulk, … Continue reading Ivan Dunbar, How Many Reps Makes the Champion? (1964 Health & Strength Article)
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 Forgotten Exercises: The Bradford Press
The following extract comes from a fascinating twelve page pamphlet I recently got my hands on. Written by the Strongman and Powerlifter Bill Kazmier, the pamphlet details everything a budding strength enthusiast needs to learn to perform on the platform. Over the next few weeks we'll be dissecting Kazmier's advice for the Squat, Deadlift and the Bench Press. In the meantime, … Continue reading Bill Kazmier, ‘Competitive Squatting Style and Techniques’ from Bill Kazmier, The Squat and Deadlift (Crain Power-Plus, 1981)
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
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)
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)
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
