Most Popular Articles on this site

[84 pages] COVER: Casey Viator

* PAUL GRANT by Wayne Gallash

* YOU CAN BE FIT by Bruce Page

* KING SQUAT & ITS VARIATIONS by George Coates

* VARIETY ROUTINE FOR ARMS by Grant Williams

* DECREASING BODYWEIGHT WHILE MAINTAINING SIZE AND STRENGTH by Anthony Ditillo

* 20 LITTLE KNOWN FACTS by Denie Walter

A CLOSE LOOK AT BACK AND LEG TRAINING by Arthur Jones

* A VISIT WITH RHEO H. BLAIR by Bruce Page

* WEIGHT TRAINING AMONG THE ANCIENT GREEKS by Benton Pride

* MUSCLE BUILDING DRINK

* GREATLY INCREASE BENCH PRESS by Maurice Johnson...keep reading

[84 pages] COVER: Ron Thompson, newly crowned 1974 Mr. America

* EDITORIAL by Peary Rader

* THE MR. AMERICA STRUGGLE by Franklin Page

* ADDING MUSCLE FAST by Bob Green

* ARM YOURSELF by Grant Williams

* HE GAINED 9 LBS in 6 DAYS A Letter to Mike Brown

* TRAINING THE WAIST by Robert Newell

* DIPS, CHINS, DELTOID WORK by Vince Gironda

* WHY HEAVY TRAINING IS A MUST by Bradley J. Steiner

* HORSESHOE SHAPED TRICEPS by Achilles Kallos

* THE ONE-HAND DEADLIFT by Peary Rader

* LIFTING AT THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS by George Kirkley

* GRUNT AND GROAN - NEWS ITEMS OF THE LIFTING GAME

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Starting somewhere around 1894, and lasting for the next seven or so decades, the Whitely company was a source of cheap but very effective exercises equipment. Who knows how many lads saved up their allowances to send away for Whitely chest expanders, hand grippers, jump ropes, speed bags and the like? Posted here is the instructional booklet for the Whitely "Chest Pull" expander, circa the mid 1950's....keep reading

[25 pages] Back in the early 1950's, Harry Paschall put out a wonderful little gem called Bosco's Strength Notebook. The little monster was a 32-page affair packaged as a cross between a newsletter, a magazine and a booklet. Harry wrote all of the articles, and had it printed by Peary Rader, the publisher and editor of IronMan magazine.

Harry was born in 1897, so he was in his mid-fifties when he started publishing Bosco's Strength Notebook. But he tackled the project with youthful enthusiasm!" ...keep reading

[132 pages] George F. Jowett wrote this excellent biography of Louis Cyr which was originally published by the Milo Barbell Company in 1927.

This volume is a veritable "who's who" of strength history and legendary feats... Sandow... "Cyclops" Bienkowski... "The False Sandowe"... stone lifting contests... coin bending... back-lifting records... and many others all make appearances throughout the exploits and life of the Mighty Cyr. In this updated edition, we have also added many additional rare images from our archives that were not found in the original....keep reading

[14 pages]

"I used to be so skinny that when I wore a red tie people thought I was a thermometer. No Kidding, I could stick out my tongue and do a perfect imitation of a zipper.

But that was a long time ago. Today I'm so broad I pay double for movie tickets -- one set for each shoulder. My waist is still tiny, you can't see it if I stand sideways, but my chest tapes 50" and I can bounce a 400 pound barbell off it with ease."...keep reading

[78 pages] Kettlebell training has enjoyed a massive resurgence over the last few decades. Here's a unique opportunity to gain some insight from one of the original resources on kettlebell training: this rare book, written in 1928 by famed Russian strongman Ivan Lebeydev provides many interesting methods of kettlebell training.

...keep reading

[48 pages] COVER: John Grimek

* THE FUTURE OF WEIGHTLIFTING AS A SPORT by Peary Rader

* MR. AMERICA'S TRAINING PROGRAM by Benton Pride

* TRICEPS DEVELOPMENT by Peary Rader

* SQUATTING FOR LEG STRENGTH AND DEVELOPMENT by Robert Farabee

* HAND BALANCING MADE EASY by Norman Fay

* STUNTS AND STRONGMAN FEATS by Harold Ansorge

* IRON MAN NEWS...keep reading

[20 pages] "My suggestion is none other than an intensive course of heavy dumbbell lifting. Such an article as this is not the place in which to argue the relative merits of dumb-bell or barbell lifting but it may not be out of place to say that in my opinion the dumb-bell is a much more useful appliane than the barbell as a means of overcoming stubborn cases of arrested development and this opinion has been forced upon me against my earlier inclinations by personal experience. I have seen men who have been lifting weights for years without any really satisfactory results positively transformed by a three months' course of heavy dumb-bell work and for than reason, I do not hesitate to recommend it strongly. "...keep reading

"...Nail bending, done properly, is one of the most effective ways to develop prodigious lower arm strength and toughness. In order to reap the benefits of this tremendous exercise, some basic principles apply...

Real Strongman feats are neither stunts nor tricks. Real, lasting strength is built gradually over time with consistent effort and recovery..."

[6:25] The first entry in the Bone Strength Bench Press Video Series...keep reading

[17 pages]A new system of training that is giving most amazing results in both POWER AND DEVELOPMENT OF MUSCLE SIZE. A system for the new trainee and for the most advanced lifter, bodybuilder and for men seeking to improve their abilities in any line of athletic endeavor.

This course has been developed and prepared by Peary Rader, leading authority on physical training for the past 25 years, and editor and publisher of Iron Man magazine and Lifting News magazine and other publications, books and courses. This system has been used and proven by top athletes, lifters and bodybuilders, and the pupil can have full confidence in the effectiveness of this system when properly applied....keep reading

We just posted a new workout sheet in our download area - "The Time Factor" workout by John McCallum which originally appeared in the June, 1965 issue of Strength & Health magazine (and which, coincidentally, was the very first of McCallum's articles under the "Keys to Progress" banner.)...keep reading

[182 pages] 'Modern Bodybuilding' is a 'How-to-do-it' book. It gives in clear detail modern exercises which can be adapted to the requirements of each and every individual.

All you have to do it to desire that you, too, will enjoy the fin, the health and fitness, the self-assurance that a healthy and strong body promotes. Once you get that, and follow the advice in this book, the rest is easy....keep reading

Everything you can do with dumbbells and barbells you can do with the bags and a lot of other stuff too! ...but the bags somehow work you differently...out of "the groove"...and as far as your fingers and grip, the bags work you even harder.

I had been given a great idea by a good friend...and didn't respond ...but it sat in the back of my mind for many years...when the idea was given a chance it proved to be very valuable. I didn't "pick-up" on the idea when it was first given to me...luckily, I stumbled onto it again and found it to be a winner....keep reading

James Evans was a tremendous All-Around British athlete who set numerous strength records. To give you an indication of his abilities, on the afternoon of April 5th, 1930, at the King;s Cross Strand Pulling and Physical Culture Club, London England, Evans broke over twenty World's or British records under official conditions.

In this course undated but likely from the late 1930's, Evans provides numerous tips on both expander training and a few of his favorite bodyweight movements for keeping fit. This is another IRON LEAGUE exclusive: You will NOT find this course or any of Evans' other course available anywhere else, internet or otherwise. There are simply no other copies available at any price. ...keep reading

[14 pages] What follows in a short but very effective bodyweight-only training course authored by Bernarr Macfadden in 1899. Following this course faithfully for a sustained period of time should bring about some surprising results.

" ...Therefore, allow no one to deceive you. Use the entire muscular system regularly to the point of fatigue, without straining or exhaustion, and the body will gradually grow stronger, healthier and more beautiful in proportion."...keep reading

[43 Minutes] Many training systems ignore the strengthening of the neck, lower back and spinal column, which is a BIG mistake. Here, Brooks Kubik takes you through a variety of unique exercises to make those areas as strong as possible....keep reading

"Powerlifting News" was one of the earliest magazines devoted specifically to the sport of Powerlifting. This publication was an early inspiration to the very popular "Powerlifting USA" magazine which followed roughly a decade later.

Copies of "Powerlifting News" are extremely rare and very hard to come by. Though perhaps a bit crude by today's standards, each issue contained a great deal of practical training knowledge. Here's a look at the May, 1972 issue. Enjoy!...keep reading

Before 'NAUTILUS' fame, Arthur Jones was involved with the capture, transportation and filming of wild animals in exotic locations around the world. In the 1960's Jones was involved with the National Geographic-style show "Wild Cargo" where he showed his films and discussed his exploits with host Mel Leavitt. The show was produced in the New Orleans area and shown all over the country....keep reading