Simple Methods. Complex Strength.
Learn from the legends of the Iron Game. Build lasting health and antifragile strength through youth-restoring calisthenics, kettlebells, dumbbells, and barbells.
Start with our FREE Hard Style Dumbbell Swing Tutorial—video + PDF guide.
Instruction from Pavel Macek, StrongFirst Certified Master Instructor. Meet your instructor
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Desbonnet’s School of Physical Culture (1885)
To paraphrase a legendary RocknRolla quote, “there is no school like the old school, and I’m… a fan”.
Professor Edmund Desbonnet was – together with Russian Dr. Vladislav Von Krajewski and Louis Attila (teacher of Eugene Sandow and many other famous strongmen) – one of the true forefathers of the Iron Game.
How to Get Strong Legs With Dumbbells
Stand erect. Raise the left leg forward and off the ground.
When executed with resistance, how a barbell with an over-grip in position across the shoulders, the hands par apart as the weights on either end will permit, or hold dumbbell extended at the right side.
One of Hackenschmidt’s Favorite Exercises: Dumbbell Get-Up
“Russian Lion” George Hackenschmidt, legendary strongman and wrestler, was truly an all-round lifter. He used barbells, dummbells, and kettlebells, and practiced all kinds of grinds and quick lifts.
Charles MacMahon: Kettlebell Juggling [1927]
The juggling of kettle-bells is a broad subject and I will not attempt to outline all the juggling stunts that are possible, but will merely give you instructions on a few of the most common.
As the title states, you need a kettle-bell or two, or ring-weights with stationary handles.
Monte Saldo’s Secret of the First Ever Bodyweight Dumbbell Swing
…actually, more than a bodyweight – 150 pounds (68 kg) at 143 (64, 8) pounds bodyweight!
We are of course talking about old-time strongman one-arm dumbbell swing, performed quite differently from today’s well know Hardstyle kettlebell swing or snatch.
Arthur, Oscar, and Arno Drink Beer and Lift Kettlebells: Fun with the Saxon Trio
This is not a tutorial, so please don’t drink and lift, but the story is hilarious. These gentlemen were a) super STRONG b) fun!
W. A. Pullum shares in the foreword to Alexander Zass’ The Amazing Samson (1926) following story.
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