In the 19th and early 20th centuries, strongman shows were a very popular form of entertainment and famous strongmen of the time such as Eugene Sandow, Thomas Inch and the Saxon Brothers frequently performed in front of sell-out crowds and by royal command. As well as being astonishing feats to demonstrate strength, the lifts performed by these athletes were also used in training. Many of the exercises performed in the days of music hall strongmen are potentially very dangerous and should not be performed without close supervision and even then with the utmost caution.
Two-Hands Anyhow Lift
The two-hands anyhow lift was a classic test of strength and exercise for old-time strongmen. This lift involved lifting two heavy but different weight objects overhead. The heaviest object was generally lifted first and then, with great balance required, the lifter would bend down and pick up the second, lighter object and raise it overhead. The aim was to lift the heaviest total possible using any style hence the name of the exercise. Arthur Saxon, a famous music hall strongman performer, routinely performed this exerciser lifting a 275-lb. barbell and 150-lb. dumbbell at a body weight of about 180 lbs.
Hack Squats
This exercise is named after Russian wrestler George Hackenschmidt who was known as the Russian Lion and famed for his leg strength and size. Hackenschmidt attributed his leg development to his unusual barbell exercise that become known as the hack squat. Performed like a deadlift but with the barbell behind you instead of in front, the hack squat places a lot of tension on the anterior thigh muscles and also makes it virtually impossible to cheat. Although there are now machines called hack squats, they are not as effective as the original version of the exercise that Hackenschmidt invented.
Floor Press
Prior to the early part of the 20th century, there was no such exercise as the now very common bench press. Instead, strongmen performed their pressing movements either stood up or lying on the floor. To perform the floor press, sometimes called a lying press, position yourself on your back with your legs bent and feet flat on the floor. Hold a barbell or two dumbbells directly over your chest. Bend your arms and lower the weight until your upper arms lightly touch the floor. Press the weight back up to full arm extension. Some strongmen would perform this exercise in a wrestler's bridge position; that is to say with their body weight supported on their feet and shoulders only.
The Back Lift
The back lift allowed old-time strongmen to raise enormous weights. The weight was supported between two high trestles and the lifter would squat beneath the weight so the weight was supported across his back. From this position and with his hands on his thighs, the lifter would then straighten his legs and arms to lift the weight off the trestles. This lift was considered one of the true tests of strength and was a frequent part of many music hall strongman shows. Louise Cyr, a Canadian strongman who was famous during the late 19th century, routinely performed this exercise with cars, cart horses and large groups of people from the audiences of his shows.
References
- "The Illustrated History of Physical Culture: Muscular Ideal"; Alan Radley; 2001
- "Dinosaur Training: Lost Secrets of Strength and Development"; Brooks D Kubik; 2006
- Sandow and the Golden Age of Iron Men; Louise Cyr Biography
Member Comments