Thomas Inch Archives - SIMPLEXSTRONG

Thomas Inch: The Bent Press [1947]

The Bent Press. Three positions are shown: 7A—The commencement, with elbow well upon the hip, right leg straight, left hand ready to cross over. 7B—The arm straight, right leg still straight, left leg bent, left hand on left knee instead of crossing over to the other...

Thomas Inch, Heavy Weight Lifting: The Bent Press Tutorial [1947]

2 comments

Having raised 304 1/2 Ibs. with my right hand in this style I may perhaps claim the right to speak as an authority. The movement needs constant practice with a light weight at first, always adding a little as time goes on. There are three starting points:

A Secret “Muscle Control” Bent Press Tip from Thomas Inch [1958]

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One of the secrets of the late Arthur Saxon’s enormous Bent Presses was that he relaxed his muscles as he leaned away from the bell. One gets so much further down that way, and the contraction of the arm and Latissimus, etc., comes in much later than the beginner ever realises.

Thomas Inch’s Dumbbell Get-Up Tutorial [1905]

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This is so far the oldest oldest get-up tutorial I have been able to find, from Thomas Inch’ Scientific Weight Lifting, published in 1905. The book opens with following motto:

“The Glory of a Man is in his Strength. Be Strong.”

…and as all Kettlebell Simple & Sinister practitioners know, the get-up is one of the best means to move well, and move STRONG!

Inch teaches a common old-school strongman variation of get-down to get-up, and with a dumbbell.

The Bent Press by Arthur Saxon

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The above photograph is the only one which has been published showing me with the bell at the shoulder in the act of pressing. In it I show how to take up a firm position with the feet, and it will be noticed that the right leg is straight contrary to the position generally assumed by the beginner attempting to learn the body press, and even by many a lifter who has had years of experience. In the photograph I show exactly where the elbow should be placed, and it does not require much imagination to gain a correct idea of how the body should fall in the downward direction.