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.
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[VIDEO] The Two Main Bent Press Variations You Should Know
Bent Press, “The King of All Lifts” – by far the favorite lift of many old-time strongmen—Eugene Sandow, Arthur Saxon, Edward Aston, Siegmund Klein, Bob Hoffman, and many others. It can be performed with a kettlebell, a dumbbell, or a barbell—but it is by far the easiest to learn with the kettlebell.
Bruno Sammartino: Hindu Pushups & Hindu Squats Quick Tutorial + Simple Program [1963]
Bruno Sammartino is a professional wrestler who has traveled throughout the United States and Canada, thrilling capacity crowds at wrestling shows with his superhuman strength and tremendous physique. Only in his middle 20's, this young superman has already won the...
Modified Side Press [1946]
A modified version of the side press is one of the very best exercises. While this movement is one which in time will result in skill in bent pressing, while it is one of the best to build the triceps of the arm and the latissimus dorsi, it does not need to take a second place to any of them. Many people believe that a modified form of the side press is the very best shoulder developing exercise.
Ivan Vladimirovich Lebedev: Kettlebell Exercises and Their Place in Modern Weightlifting Sports [1928]
Historically, kettlebells once held a very prominent place in weightlifting sports. When the “First Athletes’ Club,” under the guidance of Dr. Kraevsky, appeared in Russia in 1885—thus giving birth to weightlifting as a sport—there were fewer than ten training barbells in the entire country. There were quite a few globe barbells, but these were mostly used by circus professionals. Most of the first amateur strongmen in the provinces trained with kettlebells.
Girl Once a Physical Wreck, Now Does Astonishing Feats, Easily Toys with Weighty Barbells [1899]
One of these is the lifting of a big barbell from the floor with one hand, turning it and holding it high above the head without a tremor. This same barbell she then places upon the floor and lies down flat on her back with the bell at her head, and raises it with both hands until it is straight above her head, then holding it with one hand only, rises to a sitting and then a standing position with the bell high above her head still.
Lying Down and Getting Up with a Barbell [1916]
This movement develops an athlete’s agility and flexibility and, at the same time, teaches them to maintain balance. It is performed as follows:
While holding a barbell with an extended arm above the head, lower yourself onto the opposite knee, using the palm of your free hand for support on the floor. Then, move from the palm to the elbow, simultaneously straightening the leg on the same side along the floor, while the other leg remains bent at the knee. Next, lower yourself from the elbow to the floor with both shoulder blades touching and stretch out both legs, keeping the barbell held with the extended arm.


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