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[3 pages] A famous physical training expert has long advertised that he can make anyone into a "he-man." He requires only 15 minutes a day devoted to his system of training. Of course we know that all Marines are physically it. We also know that a few of us have acquired a questionable displacement of adipose tissue. While this delights the management of the garment industry, it doesn't help our appearance as physically fit Marines.

Many of us are surprised when we return to the FMF to find that packs are heavier, the old familiar hills are steeper. When was the last time you were able to go hand over hand up the rope on the obstacle course?

A unique system of training, extensively tested in a series of controlled scientific tests in this country and in Germany, requires no apparatus, no workout area, and no more than five minutes of your valuable time per day. In fact, beneficial results accrue from only one minute per day....keep reading

[8 pages]"FREQUENTLY I have the more advanced pupils at the gym photographed for there is no better way to record the progress a man is making than this visual proof by which to make comparisons. in looking over some of these pictures recently, it occurred to me that the group would make an interesting variation in the collection of pictorial records.

But how to select any one group proved a problem... until I hit upon the happy idea of posing as many as I could gather at one time who could qualify in some outstanding way.

Since the arm is at once one of the most sought developments and is most outstanding from a pictorial standpoint, I decided to use this as the first series of group pictures."...keep reading

[36 pages] A look at the fight program from Frank Gotch vs. George Hackenschidt 1, which took place on April 3, 1908.

This has been called one of the rarest pieces of wrestling memorabilia in existence....keep reading

[36 pages]Comic books have always been fertile ground for "strongman" types, but here's an interesting example that just goes for it outright. Created by Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, and Sheena co-creator Bob Powell "Strong Man" only ran for four issues but still remains a very fascinating artifact. Our un-named "hero," the man who would come to be known as Strong Man, started out life as a thin but agile boy whose parents were aerialists with Cooper's Carnival, starting his training at age 10 to become an aerialist himself this is cut short when a line snaps and he plummets to the ground. After being put in a full body cast the doctor tells his parents "I didn't know there were that many bones in a body that could be busted, even if he knits fifty percent he'll be a cripple for the rest of his life." Hercules, the carnival strong man, and other unusual figures however have other ideas and teach him their unique skills so that another ten...keep reading

[4 pages] During the Isometric "Boom" of the 1960's, everybody and their brother came out with an Isometric exerciser to try to cash in. Here's one you probably never heard of: Snyder Industries of Philadelphia, PA. Snyder Mfg Co. made a number of fitness gizmos: ab wheels, exercise bike, rowing machine, etc., i.e. the kinds of things you would find at most sporting goods stores nation-wide.

Isometric Exercisers were pretty simple affairs and varied little in design: two pieces of wood or metal connected with a length of rope or chain -- they aren't typically found for sale these days but one could easily make a similar device with with some supplies from the hardware store without too much trouble.

This entry consists of the rare exercise course flyer that was included with the Snyder Isometric exerciser....keep reading

[308 pages] "My dissatisfaction with current methods of teaching self-defense was the principal reason why I decided to put my panorama into a book. I realized, too, that my explosive performances and big gates in the "Golden Decade" were indirectly responsible for current unsatisfactory methods; so, it was my duty to lend a helping hand.

Moreover, it's my impression now that thousands of boys and men throughout the world would grasp eagerly at the chance to learn how to use their fists-how to become knockout punchers in a hurry....keep reading

[16 pages]...keep reading

[106 pages] "Attention is called to the fact that this system of self defense is not a text book for the clean sport of wrestling. It is a short cut to successful self-defense, and the author's experience in teaching his more elaborate system for use in warfare permits him to state that the lessons contained in this book may be learned in a period of two weeks if one devotes an hour a day to its mastery.

It is the author's hope that those who study this system never have need to use it. The student must ever remember that the knowledge gained from a study of these pages must never be applied except when he is compelled to defend himself..."...keep reading

This manual presents information on the most controversial of all body parts - the abdominals. There are more Misconceptions concerning this muscle. Than any other one body part. Due to numerous requests for more information on training, Vince Gironda has compiled his findings from 25 years of applied use....keep reading

The Super Bowl is only a few days away so articles on the key players are posted frequently. This article recently appeared on the football news site http://mmqb.si.com. While the article deals with an entirely different subject than strength training it does highlight the importance of having a knowledge base of books and articles that you can study and re-read....keep reading

[24 pages] We all want to keep the vigor of youth. Exercise is a means to that end, but we must exercise regularly to get the full benefits.

Why Exercise? Before the dawn of civilization mankind was not troubled by the need for exercise. Our forefathers, in the dim ages long passed, had to exercise to live -- to get their food, to fight off enemies. Today we no longer depend on hunting and fishing for our food. Large numbers of us sit at desks or tend machines. We ride in automobiles, trains, elevators. The enemies of primitive life do not bother us. And the result is that most of us do not get the amount and variety of physical activity which the human body needs.

Exercise serves a wide variety of bodily needs. It may serve to improve posture -- to help us carry ourselves well -- to increase strength, vigor, endurance, beauty -- to correct physical defects....keep reading

[16 pages] "Twelve years ago, the inventor of the Quick Change Bar Bell was a student in one of our state universities. He had already bought one of the best bar bell sets on the market at the time (a plate set similar to present plate sets) and has used it about a year. He was greatly impressed with the results of this year of bar bell training. He realized that training with an adjustable bar bell is the most logical, scientific, and beneficial type of exercise known to man. He enjoyed his training periods except for one thing -- changing weights. He began to wonder if there could not be found a way to make weight changing easier... "...keep reading

[8 pages] As you well know, when playing the collision sport of football, it is not only important for your players to weight train to enhance athletic ability, but also to help to prevent or reduce the severity of injuries that might occur. You also understand that even though a player is bigger, stronger, and faster than anyone else on the team, he is in no way exempt from injury. ... The list of possible anomalies that could stop a player from having optimal performance is endless. Therefore, it is critical that the athlete trains his entire body with equal emphasis and that he does not neglect body parts. A chain is as strong as its weakest link is certain redundant, but an appropriate analogy....keep reading

[13 minutes] Crazy But Powerful(Part I) Starring Dennis Rogers and some of his friends....keep reading

[12 pages] At times, major strength events occurred between printings and if you had a subscription to IRON MAN magazine, Peary Rader would often print up and send out "special reports" much like this one for the 1947 World Weightlifting Championship which took place in Philadelphia, PA. Most strength historians are unaware that these Iron Man "special reports" even exist......keep reading

Barton Horvath was a pretty good bodybuilder in the 30's and 40's who graced the cover of Strength and Health magazine several times (and as an added note of trivia, Horvath was the cover man on the very first issue of Joe Weirder's "Your Physique" magazine in August of 1940.) Horvath wrote many articles and several courses for the magazines and, as you can see by the above shot, was certainly ahead of his time in the physique department, but he has another distinction of doing something that few Iron Game figures ever did: he had his own record. A copy of said record, put out by the Carlton Record Corporation in 1960, was among the many items that Brooks Kubik loaned us for inclusion in The Iron League and now you'll have a unique opportunity to have a listen....keep reading

[11 pages] You’ve probably seen the weight-training and muscle building magazines with the Mr. America winners and their tremendous physiques. As works of art or for aesthetic value, I am as much an admirer of them as the next fellow interested in physical culture. Unfortunately, in purely survival situations, such physiques serve little practical purpose. First, a tremendous physique requires a tremendous amount of food to keep it going. Have you ever seen one of those guys eat?...keep reading

[12 pages] The book you hold now is truly the essence of what I have learned from four decades of hands-on investigation, endless study, on-going experimentation, and wide-ranging research into the most time-efficient, result-producing, and safe methods of strength conditioning and bodybuilding for anyone involved in personal performance enhancement and muscular development.

For the fighting arts specialist it is book of knowledge that can complement any style or system of combative training. It is your key to making what you do more powerful, effective, and lethal. For the weight training enthusiast it is the book that will open the doors to progress that are not easily accessible in this day and age. Use this knowledge wisely....keep reading

[230 pages] Professor Desbonnet's seminal work on the training methods of Attila and Sandow, and a history of great strongmen is now available for your viewing pleasure. This is the expanded 1909 edition and is an absolutely stunning razor-sharp presentation....keep reading

[124 Pages] "As physical training is constantly progressive there is a field for any book that is thoroughly up to date. I have examined Mr. Schatz's work and find it good. Mr. Schatz is an expert club swinger as well as a teacher of gymnastics, hence he can and has combined the knowledge of the former with the experience of the latter in such a manner as to produce a book that will be helpful alike to teacher and pupil... The work contained in this volume has been arranged in progressive order, and the transition from the very simple to the most intricate work has been as gradual as could be conveniently planned. Some of the movements can be very easily acquired, though others will require perseverance and long practice to master..."