Old Time Strongman Training Techniques

The full article: www.thebioneer.com/history-bod...
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In this video I discuss some unique aspects of 'old time strongman' training and discuss the different methods that guys like Arthur Saxon, Eugen Sandow and Maxick would use to develop incredible strength. These guys could perform feats such as pulling cars using just their teeth, lifting immense amounts of weight with single fingers, driving nails into wood with their hands and much more.
I look at a few principles in particular:
* Overcoming isometrics/static contraction
* Unusual lifts (bent press, side press, anyhow lift)
* Progressive overload
* Grip training
* Muscle control
Let me know what you guys think of these methods and if I've missed anything! Thanks so much for watching and I'll catch you next time!

[@EnduranceRoom]

Old school is where its at. When you consider what these guys were doing, drug free, its hard not to be totally inspired.

[@alitahir3319]

Shows that the human body is kind of limitless

[@brnt034]

I have mad respect for the OLDER men who were still respected as strong men. It isn't so difficult to achieve gains, strength, and physique when you are in your 20's but to sustain it into your 40's and 50's is something to truly be admired!!

[@itzakehrenberg3449]

No, men in their 40s or 50s who continue to use their muscles lose no strength; on the contrary, they are often stronger than their 20 year old semi-boy selves.

[@BagietkaYTofficall]

@@itzakehrenberg3449 Fully agreed, especially if you are truly avoiding bad habits like eating alcohol and drinking sugar

[@indrajitsarnaik2706]

No cliche there bro.. Your uploaded video is full of researched and practised techniques. There is logic about practices of strengthening human body. Moreover, your narration style is also very friendly. Watching such videos is a treat... Thanks a lot... Wish you good health and good luck

[@TheBioneer]

Thanks a lot :-D Really glad you enjoyed it!

[@hunterwolfe9059]

4:08 - 4:18 that's how you get all the ladies.

[@TheBioneer]

Haha! For some reason it never seems to work... Maybe I need an even more extreme eyeball trick!

[@potahtochip]

The Bioneer I can look at my nose with one eye and look upward with another

[@dickJohnsonpeter]

I didn't see his eyes moving and I was wondering why the heck he was hitting himself in the head

[@d4nm4n91]

Lmao imagine being born just to be lifted by strongman

[@Noel-sp7uc]

Golden Kakashka tbh I wouldn't mind

[@bansyiemlieh3213]

😂

[@billymaguire1860]

Noice

[@bansyiemlieh3213]

@Mik 😂

[@evangraham]

Calf probably served it's purpose later As steak or providing milk lmao

[@MrTrenttness]

I train my ears. I started with a 5×5 before moving on to the Texas Method. Now I carry a calf with my ears.

[@TheBioneer]

Haha! That is the dream. Calf earrings.

[@sour_lemon_00]

Ear power

[@MrGlostuber]

"Nights by playing COD in stuffy rooms" makes brain properly register what he said, "cards"

[@TheBioneer]

Lol! Dude was ahead of his time!

[@PermanentHigh]

Aizen Kazama Close enough considering its the modern past time

[@pablodiaz9652]

Playing cod in ''stuffy'' (weed smoke) filled rooms

[@hugo98765]

possibly a dumb question, but does anyone know his name?

[@ozdavemcgee2079]

Awesome Possum The mighty atom was his stage name. Real name Joseph S Greenstein. A book called The Mighty Atom by Ed Speilman 1979 pub Secker & Walburg SBN 436 48200 2

[@Lokistar13]

Wait...He lost fingers the first time he tried it? Then what? After that, did he think... "Hmmm... I haven't quite mastered catching cannon balls yet. Let me keep trying this!" That's someone with too much time on their hands. And not enough fingers.

[@cristianivancidguerra1005]

It just went out of his hands, I would say.

[@austinsangels12345]

Oh he said cannonballs?? I thought he said cannibals - man why would a person try a second time if the first time you lose a few digits.....

[@planetstrength8798]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@GSteinbach14]

No fingers no chance of losing fingers

[@huntergrant6520]

That is someone who would be like the terminator if they were coming after you

[@willoliver9340]

In martial arts. they would push their hands into pots of sand, finger tips first, and then clench their fist. To strengthen the grip.

[@liambrunner3026]

Read 72 arts of Shaolin. It has a lot of the type of stuff in it

[@hainleysimpson1507]

Knuckle push ups, strong grips come from isometrically clenching your hands into a fist shape.

[@gla55_cannon22]

That's conditioning

[@deltaskelta9346]

Is that where calf raises came from

[@Zb_Calisthenic]

Delta skelta genius

[@joelvelezjv76]

Two of the greatest strong men practiced ISO. One was Alexander Zass and the other was The Great Gama, check them out, if your interested in ISO.

[@MikeThaKnight]

The Great Gama was the one who tried to push trees out the ground as well

[@sour_lemon_00]

Thx

[@davidbarrozo6621]

I've actually done a bit of research myself on strong men, and watched a few different conpetitions on tv about them. It is where i first learned about cholesterol being a necessary element of testosterone. I also seen they too had wider hips, not so much worried about having that thin V shaped stomach but generally having a wider base from which to lift from, like them stocky Italians we see in movies. I realized too they have bigger hands, which i thouh was impossible to develop until i loked further into shaolin martial arts. I was before using my palms to strike things (my chief thing to slap was a brick wall here by my apartment), but for now have started using a tree for that purpose. I was also trying to push it as well, which idk why by Ut my body understood the mechanics behind it (i don't question it anymore...). I usually follow what it feels like doing and it always turns out to be a great workout for it. I knkw various different things TO DO, but my body is the best teacher and so i go with what it feels is next.

[@angelrxn5944]

Very interesting. I myself wanted to gain pure strength, not just muscles. I'm recollecting information but I think I get the point.

[@davidbarrozo6621]

@@angelrxn5944 feel free to message me on messenger as well (under the same name and picture), I was actually in the process of recollecting information as well, and using what I feel and seen were the best products. From energy drinks, to pre-workout packets and tubs, to the more natural and medicinal plants, And also delving quite a bit into nootropics, i am going to begin writing a manual of sorts, similar to people of old, which will hold what I have learned from many different cultures, and methods executed to bring people to their peak operation.

[@EricMossthestrongmanexperience]

There is much to be learned from the old-timers. I was fortunate to have met and learned from some of them before embarking down the road of the performing strongman. I had the rare opportunity to have been asked to bend a steel bar on the bridge of the nose of Mike Greenstein, (the son of the Mighty Atom, who was the strongman at the beginning of this video). I'll actually be doing a Tedx talk about this pretty soon.

[@R15Kl3R]

Any update on the tedx talk and if the event was recorded and uploaded somewhere?

[@EricMossthestrongmanexperience]

@@R15Kl3R kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaObZKmKoqZ5p6M 🙂

[@EricMossthestrongmanexperience]

@@R15Kl3Rhey didn’t see this till just now. It’s actually here on KZbin, it’s actually on my channel

[@bobbydobric4343]

No protein shakes those days either!

[@TheBioneer]

Just good old eggs!

[@Naptownstreetsquid]

Hallows Victim no man you r missing out trust me

[@yeenmyslime4601]

Naptown Squid Big if true

[@dafarmer3721]

Waked Stoat sheesh man you sound like a closet gay boy

[@donrowlett2886]

This is truer than people want to believe. The term hero comes *bad pun* from the worship done by the younger males who wish to have his "essence" and this essence was assumed to be active in the hero's semen. Remember this when buying food products with hero character marketing.

[@seanhub2243]

I was lifting weights and i noticed that my triceps were growing as well as my biceps but they both grew too slow then i had noticed that i could focus on which specific muscles to use but i never knew it was a thing

[@TheBioneer]

Yup, that's muscle control :-D Ideally, you want to relax the triceps during a curl to maximize your strength.

[@jamievschannel]

Ive started training isometrics for days and it felt different... my muscles have gone harder than beforem

[@4himsanctified]

My most recent deadlift was the bar and 25#'s (relatively light weight) and walked around the gym (only me there). I would lift and carry it to a spot, set it down, and repeat. I feel its more "real" to do that. I also use 2 50's dumbbells and walk and carry and set down, pick up, and continue so on. It's what you would do in a work setting like on a farm or construction site.

[@johnmontoya2398]

I love your video...I train with stones, logs, chains, dynamic tension, isometrics, home made dumbells and body weight....I do like taking a trip to a gym occasionally, as I started with weights. Thanks for your vid mate. I own the Maxick book. It has helped me a lot,,,much improvement...

[@TheBioneer]

Thanks man, and your training sounds awesome!

[@KomicMaster42]

Hey I am trying to train similar to you. I believe that the knowledge passed on throughout thousands of years of men building their bodies has more knowledge than something performed in a controlled environment for an 8 month study. If there are any resources like books, videos, knowledge, etc that you could reference to me it’d be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@SiimLand]

Wrap around the towel around the bar was the best tip for me. I also like to do finger push ups or pullups. Awesome vid, man! Interested in collab?

[@AdamSinicki]

Thanks! And absolutely, I was planning on suggesting the same thing! I shall drop you a message or feel free to hit me up on here/Facebook/Twitter/email (it's on my site) if you get there first! This will be awesome :-)

[@williamdavidimpacfittraini7787]

If you really want a strong grip do your pull ups on vertical hanging metal chain links

[@michaelolivares6914]

WilliamDavid ImpacFit Training Would a chain swing set at a park work fine?

[@arcadioflores8982]

ear wiggling is actually hereditary so is folding and fliping your toung

[@jacobkeary6740]

Siim Land still haven't seen your physique

[@MYrtzjungler]

it was the great gamma (the indian wrestler) who push and pull trees

[@AdamSinicki]

Yeees! That's it! I did look and couldn't find the reference. Thanks a lot! :-D

[@eduardovazquez9532]

Joseph Greenstein''The mighty Atom on his autobiography mention he met the Great Gama.He saw him pushing and pulling trees.He knew he never can uproot a tree but told him made to lift another wrestler easy.

[@eduardovazquez9532]

Sorry,Ed Spielman wrote the biography of Joseph Greenstein''The mighty atom''you can purchase from Amazon.

[@jeanlukvolker2358]

I love your channel man. I use multiple of your techniques and training programs. I'm much stronger and faster than a month ago. I have no limits. All thanks to you

[@jonjoe138]

Oh wow... This video was actually very helpful. I would never of thought to read books of the Eugene sandow days. This is what the body is missing now adays in terms of strength. Great video

[@TheBioneer]

Thanks, I'm glad! Yeah, there's a lot to learn from those guys :-)

[@NightbladeNotty]

Ive been trying to wrap my head around that bent press! Thanks for showing how its generally done 👌

[@jasonwall7057]

Yo man you are the GOAT for compiling this information I swear, this is the channel ive been looking for

[@GreenSageAce]

Just wanted to say i discovered your channel last month but just recently started watching your vidoes consistently. You give so much good advice and information. I feel like your channel is going to grow fast! Keep up the good work.

[@yezzzsir]

Good video! Nice to see others (especially younger people) looking into the old styles of training rather than the modern status quo. I'm looking into the great Paul Anderson & Louis Cyrs for training reference right now myself. Very inspirational strength athletes!

[@charlesjaques8517]

As a construction worker I can say I can see some value from these exercises. I have recently decided to start focusing more on arms, shoulders, back and especially grip and Roman deadlifts, plus calves, always calves! One particular movement in particular would be static holds as I do similar stuff to that like hammer drilling above my head.

[@den-ih7wi]

I honestly always come to your channel for new training methods or information because u really do your research on stuff and don’t just talk bs that some fitness channels make up

[@prawdzle]

Awesome insight. Keep up the good work, i look forward to learning more.

[@ChrisLeRose]

This is sort of related to the goal of being more like Batman. I can't imagine super-heroes existing without these old-timey dudes paving the way.

[@AdamSinicki]

+Chris LeRose You are not wrong, in fact this inspiration is the reason that Superman was drawn wearing his pants over his trousers :-) That and it worked to break up the colour palette I imagine!

[@sjci25]

I️ love this topic, I️ did a 45 min PowerPoint presentation with around 50 slides as my graduation project in high school last year!

[@wangflop]

Interesting video. Helpful information and good presentation. I have been incorporating unilateral training for a few weeks. My favourite is the one arm deadlift with the bar simply in front of me. It gives me soreness in places normal deadlifts don't. Plus it's making me stronger at all my pulls. Anyway, keep making these videos.

[@TheBioneer]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! And yeah, these kinds of lifts really do get you aching in new places. And that really highlilghts how useful they are :-D

[@jmacren92]

Great content, really! I think we all appreciate the effort and research behind your videos. I'm specially interested in mind-muscle control, there are not so many good videos about in on youtube. Hopefully you can make a video to go into detail about it soon, and you have some cool mind-muscle control yourself, can't wait to see more of it haha

[@AdamSinicki]

Thank you for the kind words :-) Yes a lot of work went into this one! Mind muscle connection is definitely an area I'm particularly interested in too, so I will be covering it more and from different angles in coming videos for sure.

[@slhgrow7683]

Good outlook on concepts. You always have some good presentations. Keep researching and sharing.

[@LeonYuL]

versatility is my core principle in training, you just widened my view on this, subbed

[@MrTHQ123]

You want a stronger grip? Deadlift without straps and HEAVY!!!!

[@extragroovy735]

I used to lift around 400lbs no gloves or straps, my palms would end up bleeding lol

[@devinerentalsltd8708]

EXTRA GROOVY perhaps you increased to fast. Did the same weight (180kg) sets of 5 and had no issues. Hands has already been hardened by years to training no gloves through.

[@mercutioescalus6782]

Jeeses99 you do realize that the belt is to prevent hernias right? No amount of core will stop a hernia

[@mikesocarras2849]

Just tried some of sandows exercises and im quite excited. Bery interesting dude thanks for the vid

[@darrencolt5955]

Thanks for using the term "Static Contractions". By the way I really enjoy your video series - always interesting - a job well done. I have a collection of over 2000 bodybuilding magizines dating back to 1937. I think you'd have a great time looking at them. Best wishes - Darren Colt (NSP Mr. Germany - Berlin Olympic Games 1936)

[@miker1645]

I stopped training two years ago after 10 years of training. I got bored. I'm doing this in the morning before work... A whole new world!! Thanks pal!

[@marioocampo9670]

Good video man! Will be trying some of these lifts.

[@TheBioneer]

Thanks! Good luck :-D

[@regprofant6984]

Great video, very informative. Not just the usual rehash of same old stuff

[@TheBioneer]

Thanks :-D

[@ontharamansa9741]

nice re - searching...!! more people need to know about this..!! good work bro..!! 👍

[@rajadey4072]

wow!! very impressive....your videos are always at the best point... and also teaches good things.....can you please make more videos on isometric training and calisthenics...plzz??

[@AdamSinicki]

Thank you! And yes, I have a couple of videos on isometrics in the pipeline. I like to rotate my topics a bit but 'best isometric exercises' is definitely on the way :-)

[@gejugfeguug5623]

I think im gonna start incorporating this old strongman stuff into my workouts too. Looks cool, and makes sense on how it would lead to more balanced strength gains.

[@josesolano6171]

This is the type of content I was looking for thanks.

[@prabhuannadurai3385]

I came across your content just a few weeks ago and watched two of them today. It's very useful n u do it without any hype or other unnecessary. I thought u can make several videos with your content so that you can stay in touch with us the subscribers more after watching untapped strength series

[@zinniacr]

This was so interesting and I learned a lot. Can't wait to try the squatting press and for the looks at the gym I will get while performing it.

[@heavymetal1962]

Well done! A nice informative video, you have done your homework.~

[@jasonnorton2821]

Excellent video! I love this type of training!

[@JamesSmith-vk2ky]

Great job & thanks for the explanations & demonstrations!! 💪💪😎

[@robertsmith6068]

great video. well and humbly presented.

[@CristiVladZ]

Great video bro!

[@samuraisubzero3384]

I'm glad I saw this, thanks for making it

[@sergiolandrizlopez6610]

Great video! Keep up the good work

[@bishopaz]

Still looking good Adam,I was impressed by the muscle up. Nice job.

[@jordanestimon3523]

Awesome video. Just earned another subscriber. 💪🏾

[@TheBioneer]

Sweet thanks, and welcome to the channel!

[@shahdawon7191]

great research, love your videos....

[@absolutelyunreal3613]

Really nice video 👍🏻👍🏻

[@dmonvisigoth1651]

Thank you, I found this extraordinarily helpful.

[@atlsplaza-nd]

Your channel is amazing bro!

[@Kivari811]

Intresting video and your speech inspired me. Thanks for the video dude. :) Must try those old timers lifts sometimes.

[@TheBioneer]

Thanks for commenting and watching sir!

[@Kivari811]

The Bioneer Go check my channel if you are intrested about powerlifting stuff. 😁

[@DenisTheCoach]

Great video... Keep the good work.

[@TheBioneer]

Thanks a lot :-D I shall try!

[@Scibor666]

The best thing i have seen on KZbin so far

[@pottingshedgene]

I've seen the micro loading done using string and washers. Adding a washer on your max lift. keep adding washers until they add up to the weight of a plate. This was also mentioned in the 80s mag 'Strength Athlete'. I wished I'd kept them. I had them all. Thanks mum! lol

[@junichiroyamashita]

Micro loading?

[@randomadmin5501]

Great video. I'm learning a lot from your videos you should make more but take your time.

[@AdamSinicki]

Thank you! Glad you're finding them useful :-) Yeah, the plan is to try and ramp up production without cutting quality. Will do my best!

[@bonsaibywally]

this was really an interesting video, thx for sharing

[@robinatkinson6275]

Very informative gives me a new prspective for my trainig Old Rob . Thanks

[@epicmemer7543]

Sig Klein and his tiger bends were incredible.

[@mrbilly6274]

Excellent content and sharing your research. God bless.

[@SkullandSwors_art]

What you were calling a side press is more of a windmill. They are all in the same family of techniques, but in a windmill you press first and keep the arm locked through the descent, in a bent press you press as you descend, and in a side press you keep your arm bent through the descent and press from the bottom(pressing sideways from your torso). An excellent resource for the bent press is "The Iron Tamer" David Whitley's E-book, Taming the Bent Press.

[@arandomzoomer4837]

10:15 I do it at my job a lot actually. There’s a cart that needs to be pulled over a ledge and it usually has feed bags on it

[@YoussefAhab]

Could you make a video about brain taming? Like focus training, how you can force your brain to focus on what you want and avoid distractions.

[@AdamSinicki]

+Weeblo ooo It's definitely coming up! In the meantime, I wrote a similar blog post on my site about the 'salience network'. Check that out if you're interested and thanks for watching :-)

[@YoussefAhab]

Just finished reading it and it helped, but what about getting distracted by disturbing thoughts? The inner thoughts of the mind

[@drakepence8764]

Try meditation

[@Doppelganger444]

first step, close fb, then stop looking n comment videos about it,

[@Doppelganger444]

Weeblo ooo acceptance. is the key, if your thoughts talk shit. talk with your mind like if it other person, and say you just talk shit ajaja works. an empty minds isnt usefull in a reasonable way

[@samikshaxjiveshforever9754]

Excellent video. Thanks!

[@abdo1440]

thanks for these new ideas

[@jahsidmatias3625]

Great video! a deadlift is extremely functional at teaching you to use your posterior chain properly and with coordination(also another use of functionality is that it recruits lots and lots of muscles, neck-traps-core-shoulders-lats-hams-forearms-calves-lowerback-etc), you need to bend over and pick stuff all the time, every day, any age, young or elderly why not get better at it by training your deadlift which is still around today so that must mean something, it is worth incorporating.

[@jahsidmatias3625]

Also according to most sports performance enhancement textbooks the starting position of the deadlift is referred to as the power stance or universal athletic stance and you see it in many sports football, baseball, track AND THE WILD so even if you're not constantly picking stuff up you might be using this position for a while, hunting, cooking, starting fire, spear fishing etc

[@CBBMachineGun1988]

The Side Press and Back Lift were two other popular lifts. Odd object lifting, keg, barrel, and sandbag lifting, and stone lifting. I'm getting into Scottish Highland games, so that might be an interesting indeavor of strength to for you to pursue.

[@lilducks9098]

this video is so cool ! thank you !!

[@tamb66616]

Could you give advice on maintaining joints, ligaments and tendons while training please? Thanks in advance. Love your content!

[@Xlayerful]

Excellent vid. Got my vote

[@mazakmarson4496]

Nice one, enjoyed a lot. thanks

[@bigchungus2639]

Great video.

[@danamundy1187]

Thank you for saying that “new is not always better”, because it is not always is!!!

[@KAILASHKUMAR-xq1bi]

gamma,he is the man who pushes trees for isometrics he is a diffrent beast

[@AdamSinicki]

Thanks! Maybe I'll do a video all about him in future, seems like a fascinating character!

[@bobgnarly1312]

Amazing video man you got a sub I love this video

[@TheBioneer]

Thanks a lot, welcome! :-D

[@leonardobrilli5742]

This remind me of Shuai Jiao training or Okinawan Hojo Undo. You may wanna do a video about that. Anyway, your videos are always very interesting, thanks

[@jehkjshrfk]

How often do you do a deadlift in the wild?... Everytime u pick something up off the ground

[@TheBioneer]

Deadlift is definitely a very useful functional movement. But that said, in the actual wild, we wouldn't really have picked all that much up. Our own kids would probably have been the heaviest things. And even now, most of the time when we lift something heavy, it's not off the ground with deadlifting form (IMO). Unless you're in removals...

[@MarcMeal]

I have a business that involves alot of lifting. Deadlifts have helped tremendously. I find myself setting up like a deadlift to pick something up off the ground. I can see how some of these unique lifts would be helpful too. Alot of times it's not easy to setup like a safe lift when working.

[@aubreygmcghee]

I think what the Bioneer means here is that there aren't perfect barbells in the wild where you're going to be picking up weight off the ground in perfect deadlift form. Your going to be picking up awkward objects and sometimes multiple objects at once and it will not always be in the perfect position as a deadlift. He isn't saying that deadlifts aren't beneficial or that you don't pick stuff up by bending over.

[@marcosmorales659]

Informative and entertaining!

[@GreasyWop]

I love this channel so much..I started a channel a few months ago and one of my goals is to collaborate in the future as I grow bigger. See you at the top!

[@Jibbie49]

formidable: 1 : causing fear, dread, or apprehension a formidable prospect. 2 : having qualities that discourage approach or attack a formidable opponent. 3 : tending to inspire awe or wonder : impressive a formidable accomplishment.

[@johnsuzy98]

The windmill lift. Thanks!😃👍🏻💪🏻🎄

[@sajjanbeniwal1629]

Quite interesting. Thnx for sharing.

[@antonioflores425]

I Just love your content, ever tought on trying some judo or wrestling? for what I have searched, they share roots with strongman workouts.

[@IGeorge94]

You should look into the Light Dumbbell System, it’s a very fascinating muscle building routine.

[@roseagain2]

great video thanks!

[@AdamSinicki]

+roseagain2 Thanks for watching! :-)

[@rizqibayumantari6769]

Congratulations, you've got a new subscriber.

[@TheBioneer]

Welcome aboard!

[@paulsteelballs]

good work man!

[@TheBioneer]

Thanking you!

[@lycangypsypriest3190]

Great video.a school of thought close to my own.arms only has strong has grips hands.i do lots of dynamic tensions.4 one i push against walls in my home wth fingertips to.you have put together great photos information.old ild schools best.refreshing to see.!!! You have an old wise head on young shoulders.im now a new subscriber love luck blessings.respect frm i the wolf.

[@Sh8kwell777]

Love it keep at it brother

[@TheBioneer]

Thanks! :-D

[@jimbo113]

0:59 Words to live by... still applies nearly a century later

[@keegan6298]

Your vids are fantastic mate. I believe it in fully 100% lifting weights in awkward positions is true functional ability. I noticed when I was working that even though I regularly lifted weights and gained a decent amount of muscle that I was so weak in certain positions and In fact I thought at one point that the weights may be weakening me maybe I was not recovering well enough. Somebody asked in a forum once “how on Earth was Bruce lee so damn strong?” And my opinion on that is simple “because he was so damn skilled” I firmly believe that strength is skill all the other attributes come together when you have developed skill. I found this video to be extremely interesting and would really like to meet you one day I live in England and would most certainly be willing to pay for an hour of your time along with driving to you.