Chuck Ahrens - A Man of Mystery

Learn about physical culture down in Old Mexico: www.amazon.com...

[@bgrady24]

"he benched 400 pounds..." I'm thinking...ok, not bad for the 1950's..."28 times..." wait what...JEEEEEEZUS

[@sionefifita5891]

I love what youre doing. Bringing old school legends of the iron shrouded in myth into discussion and giving them proper respect.

[@jailhousestrong]

THANK YOU!

[@sionefifita5891]

Josh Bryant your very welcome, i used to workout with Big Jack at black diamond off crenshaw and 54th in south central los angeles. You had him in one of your vids and almost brought a tear to my eye. When i started workin out i listened to alot of swole older triple OGs and got into penitentiary style workouts. If you see Jack, tell him Big C said whats up. That guy is a walkin gangster & pig iron encyclopedia!! If you ever wanna interview a reputable old school legend of the iron i know of one from inglewood ca who is very well known amongst the seasoned iron warriors...if you ever wanna do an interview on him let me know we will set it up. Big ups !!

[@jailhousestrong]

We have much respect for Big Jack. Please email us [e-mail]

[@chaosdweller]

Is this big Tony? ...............😂😂😂😂😂😂 Hey big Tony? haha, man that was the best part of that movie IMO.

[@DemonMaldito1]

Chuck Ahrens, Denis Sester, Isaac Nesser, Mills Darden... Lost legends we'll never know more about, unfortunatelly!

[@DemonMaldito1]

Cleve Dean too!

[@williamyanosko4010]

I used to buy Levis blue Jeans off of Ike Nesser in Scottdale Pa..he had a store specalizing in tall and big mans clothes...hewas a nice guy who loved to lift...hope he is still alive...

[@liftingheavy1]

I shared this video with my dad and grand dad and they both subscribed. My grand dad used to work out with Leroy Colbert and Ron love back in the day.

[@jailhousestrong]

I would have LOVED a Leroy interview so much knowledge and a character! Thanks for the support!

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

I'm correcting what I reported earlier about Chuck Ahrens being a house painter. In an interview his friend Steve Merjanian said a degenerative shoulder injury ended Ahrens' lifting. He lost a lot of weight but still liked long-sleeve shirts! Later he owned cleaning and auto detailing businesses, and also managed a Compton motel owned by his father.

[@scottmcgonigle8196]

Thanks for doing this, I love learning about the original guys.

[@joeyp.8501]

This fellow was a true legend!

[@jailhousestrong]

AMEN!

[@memagoo542]

I truly like the way you bring forgotten people back to the light. Your voice is cool like the twilight zone. 👻👀💪

[@user-qj6pt8bh3k]

Thanks for sharing. There are few who know of this great strong man. I first heard of his name from a gym owner and equipment maker from St. Paul and was always intrigued by his strength and mystery. As you indicate a recluse by choice I can respect that, there are nothing wrong with introverts that want to live their life and practice their craft, whatever it may be. For Chuck, maybe one of the strongest persons to have ever lived. There is a small write up in Robert Kennedy's "Hard Core Bodybuilding" book but his life and death details are hard to find.

[@Aje14]

He was just a man who loved to lift

[@jailhousestrong]

YES

[@discernment8963]

We walked next to each other once in a Montgomery Ward store in the late 70s. I was about 19yrs old, 6', 250lb, playing MLBr in college football. In those days it was rare to see a guy as thick as myself. I felt like when I was 9 or 10 next to a grown man.

[@tacticalbeersupplyunit]

New subscriber here! I just found your channel and i really like the short informative videos about training and legends from the past!

[@jailhousestrong]

LOL love your username! Thanks for the support

[@marca9144]

I know Chukk Ahren's best friend who can tell you all about what his life was about. He is 93 years old and said he would talk to you by phone. If you want his number, let me know as he is at the Veteran's home in Westwood California. He still has his wits about him. He can tell you all kinds of inside info.

[@jailhousestrong]

Please email me the info [e-mail]

[@DB3411]

@@jailhousestrong did you talk to him. Definitely would like to know more on a video

[@RW-mi1bl]

@@jailhousestrong would also love a follow up if you discovered any new info. Thanks for your content.

[@skeletorlikespotatoes7846]

Bro need the info ​@@jailhousestrong

[@skeletorlikespotatoes7846]

Bro can I talk to you

[@lucasvoltaire8364]

This was real cook,but at the same time I feel bad for him,being so amazing and then passing with no recognition, but maybe that's really what he wanted,to just be a normal guy that loved lifting.Wish there was more known about hin,his shoulders really do look like they can break door frames though lol

[@jailhousestrong]

LOL!

[@lawrenceb3434]

Awesome content. Mythic men doing Herculean things. Thank you!

[@jailhousestrong]

Thanks!

[@int0the3p1t32]

Exactly how I wanna go out. Forgotten by all, known by none.

[@ruthpiscitelli4775]

I have an interview that I wrote for MMI in the mid 90's with Chet Yorton...Chet saw this Ahrens work out daily and has some incredible stories which I replay in the article..The article is 7,000 pages long and ran in 3 consecutive issues..If the poster wants it let me know...www.prestonshealthspa.net

[@nathanbellamy7870]

Your wish is granted lol

[@jonjonrods5776]

That man didn't die. Hercules just went back into hiding

[@jailhousestrong]

HAHA

[@Aatell764]

Man that that lady standing on his arm like that holy smokes! The strength of his shoulders. Got to point out you got to have some thick arms for someone to be able to literally stand and balance on them like that!

[@Picasso_305]

Please Googke in "Lesser Known Strongmen of the 1950s and 1960s, by Steve Neice" He was a contemporary of many of these guys and a tremendous strongman himself.

[@joelsaunders7304]

His strength is completely understandable eating 6 steaks per day

[@Biggmofo]

Big ass chest for a big ass chest. If it's all true he had some amazing strength.

[@martin1234512345]

There's no man in history I'd rather know more about than Chuck. Dude doesn't seem real. His few photos look photo shopped. If I had a time machine, I'd go back to when he was alive and try to find him and pick his brain. I wanna know everything. Training, diet, mindset, etc.

[@chrstphrbrl]

Very interesting thanks for the video !

[@thejackel1844]

To this day no one has produced a legitimate photo of Chief Crazy Horse...

[@shanewilliams6835]

there you go folks 6 steaks a day and you liv a long life 😉 im grilling right now.

[@coreyshelton4037]

I love the way you think beer and red meat sounds good right about now

[@Oxhead]

When you say tricep press what do you mean exactly are you talking the line tricep press like Doug Young or something else because I'm trying to work up to 175

[@manofsteel3111]

Impressive! 💪🏽

[@jailhousestrong]

YES!!!

[@suttonsplash14]

'...and terrify even the most veteran of tailors' lol

[@tykellerman6384]

Interesting video as usual thanks

[@jailhousestrong]

Thanks!

[@ryukdluffy]

wtf I thought it was about a serial killer by the thumbnail

[@2onefivebroadst635]

😂me too

[@skynyrdnemoy2418]

Steak cereal 🥩

[@waaagh3203]

A lot of scared tailors on your channel :P

[@jailhousestrong]

Terrorized ones!

[@kirbysir675]

josh, i want to increase my Dumbbell bench (flats) what program or how would you go about designing a program for an individual like me? what would you need to know etc. etc. and how much do you charge for the person in your videos such as tyrus, james strictland, etc. Thanks!

[@jailhousestrong]

You can email me on details at [e-mail] THANKS!

[@davidcrocker9544]

Slow,high reps, light weight.wild grip.build till. What is close too two reps heavy.Then come down To started.after three weeks up pounds an repeat.one off several ways.Oh an the guy that says .The man in video. Could not do150 iron cross. At my best 12 years ago I could do 80 pounds.an I was 5,10 245.pounds never over 19 percent body fat.Sooo.If this guy was in prison.an also out.he left heavy.always can be done. I very traveled all over this world.At one time.rgere are guys That don't show there body's.like porn stars. I was on worked as a mason.before that cut wood.always covered my body.my girl friends.would get pissed.fuck then .Did it,An doing it for my self Thanks. just

[@UniverseAZ]

Hey josh i am interested to buy a black jail house strong tshirt but i live in europe? any way possible?

[@jailhousestrong]

yes sir email [e-mail]

[@kevindavis8016]

Paul Anderson strongest human ever lived.

[@DemonMaldito1]

Alexander Zass, Arthur Saxon, Cleve Dean...

[@theamazingcj5708]

Hafthor bjornson and zydrunas savickas are the strongest men to ever live

[@LiftingwithGrandpaCharlie]

5 steaks are a lot of creatine.

[@entitiessoul]

How wide was he?

[@DemonMaldito1]

Like 27.5 inches bideltoid or something... This is something that's pure genetic and not related to fat/muscle nor height... I myself were 24 inches at 17, natural, consumed 1xHerbalife, 1xPowdered Sweet Potatoes, 1xCheap Whey Protein for a month and never did again because it's too expensive... Wider than any gymrat around here, roided and natural ones I'm 6'- 6-2 (severe back pain and hunchback, I think my head is too heavy, I'm fixing it) and wear 14 5E (EEEEE), in my early 20s now, 22!

[@skeletorlikespotatoes7846]

​@@DemonMaldito1that's not how that works 😅

[@Picasso_305]

He Presses on a 75 degree incline a pair he oressed simultaneously a oait of 225 pound specially made dumbells. Before roids

[@danielcharlesfilms2897]

And remember people weren't juicing back then neither. Serious natural talent.

[@lfcbb0422]

How broad were his shoulders?

[@rexdaugherty1987]

I wonder if his upper body was than Paul Anderson's because of him being taller I know 9 times out of 10 taller people have broader shoulders which also gives them a bigger upper body

[@guygraham8016]

Rick drasin did some stories on him.

[@jizzus163]

He owned only one shirt... And a pair of chinos

[@spikehackett3290]

Chuck missed his calling, should have been a powerlifter.

[@jailhousestrong]

Definitely a certifiable BMF!

[@jdawg8157]

Legit

[@randybarnett2308]

Imagine if he took steroids and HGH,and other modern supplements!!!💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪🌝

[@chrisdopez8443]

you should do a video on issac nessar, dont know if hes a fraud or not though

[@jailhousestrong]

will consider thanks

[@DemonMaldito1]

He's very real... a bald 180-200lb joe took a pic with him in a mall or something, both sitting, looks like 6ft 320-350 lbs, huge wide head and gigantesque hands, wide as a fucking gorilla lol... He's not a joke AT ALL, that's he's on Guinness Book to this day... You see clearly that he's on another level, looks like a giant dwarf lmao

[@DemonMaldito1]

He seems to be in his late 40s/early 50 in the picture! He's still around...

[@williamyanosko4010]

Ike has a tall and big mans clothing store in Scottdale Pa..Ive been there many times..his gym is in his building..He just lifts by himself and seeks no publicity...he is big as a gorilla though but a hell of a nice guy...Im glad to see people know who he is...The name of his store is Nessers Tall and big man clothing...Scottdale Pa..

[@skynyrdnemoy2418]

0:13 looks like my Dad...

[@jafmoveez2446]

I looked up the crucifix lift & the world record says 140 lbs (don't know if that's in each arm ) then this Russian guy did two 90 lb dumbbells over 100 years ago but there's no mention of Chuck ahearn.

[@jailhousestrong]

Like any of this official lol

[@darengeddes972]

👍👍👍

[@jailhousestrong]

Thanks for the support!

[@trevipp]

Came here by searching for broadest shoulders is this really the worlds broadest shoulders?

[@chuckschickbaldtacos]

Was hoping by the thumbnail this guy was a contract killer

[@jailhousestrong]

HAHA!

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

As I understand it, he was a house painter. One story they told about him long ago in "Iron Man" was that he got very angry once and ripped the steering wheel out of a man's car. Otherwise he was supposed to be a very shy, mild-mannered person.

[@iftekhar77]

bodybuilding should be a program in university , don’t say kinesiology

[@goobermcdabs8869]

Sounds like me

[@jailhousestrong]

YES!

[@goobermcdabs8869]

Josh Bryant seriously I've always been a big dude, always told how strong I am, did some local meets here in Harrisburg PA. I hate crowds and people in general. Hate my picture taken. I like to think I could've hung out with him. Hell I don't even go to public gyms, built my own on my land outback. I don't mind being a strength hermit.

[@ItalianWarrior777]

I wonder if he took steroids

[@billgreen7671]

I'm 6 ft 6 150 kilos I usually do sets of 100 kilos leg press and I do sets of 100 to 150 per set and I do approximately 10 to 15 sets per day I think this is quite good

[@archilonshadowheart7]

dont think your pronouncing his name right. he has the strongest triceps in history, he could do skullcrushers with 405 lbs and with a normal barbell not that bullshit close grip bench jm press crap behind the head skullcrushers. only worked out 2-3 times a week could curl a 115 lb barbell an do concentration curls with it. Pat Casey who was the first man to bench 600 raw and was famous for his dip and BTN Press marathons swore he saw him curl a 200 lb dumbbell in each hand. but in reality i believ ethey were 160's. 2 reps with one arm 1 rep with the other arm seated. could do standing overhead barbell tricep extensions with 3 plates full range no bouncy ez bar crap. at his peak he was over 350 lbs and he was dwarfing a 355 lb 5'9 Anderson when he was 285. he was that wide. but remember he was 285 then and at a time he weighed 75 lbs mor ethan that, there is a picture of him facing away and paul seated and he's just stupidly wide. with real calipers not measuring tape they were supposedly 28 inches. no flaring, nothing. he was big on milk. infact he'd hoard cartons in his car. some asshole nearly ran him over, so he got in his car drove up to him in his car, while they stopped at a red light, he got out, opened his door, ripped off the guys entire steering wheel and carried it back into his car and then drove around him and went off. he only quit when his shoulder got injured he could specialize in the bodyparts he wanted to which were delts and arms.

[@jailhousestrong]

So I take you know him or trained together??????

[@archilonshadowheart7]

No. I'm a historian. i know people who did train with him and have read every article ever written on him and seen every picture ( he was shy didntr like taking his picture) and all of the people that trained with him i also have read up on or talked to like Paul anderson and Pat Casey and Steve Merjanian as they are great in there own ways. and plenty of great people came from the same gym in Pasadena. Paul didnt train there obviously but in that same gym you had Pat casey and i THINK Marvin Eder but he might of retired before then as he was 23. the dungeon was another smelly dull gym where you had guys doing 100 sets of squats, leroy colbert on the other side doing 100 sets of curls and Dave draper training in there in the 60's. Chuck usually trained in a secretive room where the big dumbbells and heavy weights were not the main open part of the gym. which is why alot of the things about him are he said she said gossip. But nobody came close to his tricep strength. Not even now. He didnt even take dbol as it wasnt available at the time he had these great numbers he just ate 6-8 large steaks and shit loads of milk everyday. trained 2-3 times a week exclusively shoulders and arms. which i've done before. the other areas don't just shrink they just develop much slower since the focus is shifted. he often held onto something when he';d do one arm overhead presses. the picture of the girl is a cheat though she was only 76lb he could crucfix two of her in each hand so it could of made a way greater picture.

[@garydhillon2030]

@@archilonshadowheart7 Man you know a lot about him. I know its been a while since your comment but could you tell what chuck's workout's looked like?

[@archilonshadowheart7]

@@garydhillon2030 Arms and delts thats it, very rarely did he ever do anything for chest or back, and he never did legs. he trained like twice a week had a car full of empty milk cartons, ripped the steering wheel off the car of somebody who made fun of him at a stop light, cant say the order but i imagine delts would been first and he was more of a dumbbell presser standing with dumbbells, that occasionally was swapped with holding on to something for support and using one slightly heavier dumbbell this way, didnt barbell curl but could one arm concentration curl 110lbs with one hand on a barbell seated but seated dumbbell curls for very low reps was pretty standard, (Pat Casey the first man to bench over 600) saw him curl 160lb dumbbells seated, he alternated somewhat between barbell behind the head skullcrushers with up to 405lbs full range (there were pictures of him starting this actually) and standing barbell tricep extensions (which isnt as popular at all anymore) with up to 315lbs, and i cant recall any other exercises he did, perhaps low rep side laterals but thats it. likely very high sets but infrequent.

[@garydhillon2030]

@@archilonshadowheart7 Hey buddy, can you tell how Paul Anderson used to train? I know there's a program floating around the internet but i doubt that was all he did to get those big legs. How did he train and what type of progression did he and other old time lifters of the 50's did? Did they do any periodization bullshit or just adding weight whenever they could?