Results matching “log”

Letter to the Editor - SttB Articles

Letter to the Editor
22 June 2011


Sent to USAJG from MsSteve8890:

"I have watched every single video you guys have posted. They're all awesome... just straight f$cking FIRE! I am no where near as in shape as some of you guys are, .. these workouts are hard and intense! But more importantly they are basic... they're primitive.. Paleo!! Yes Dinosaur! It's a straight up hunter gather workout. "take this rock and move it 10 times over..Pick up this log an throw it ten times over. It's f$cking fun man! I'm doing this training from here on out!

I have had a gym membership and I'm sick of it. 'Guys come in all the time smelling like a bottle of cologne, walking around with a towel , wiping the sweat off the bench they just worked out on. F-that. Take any of these dudes an have them do some front squats with and oddly shaped bolder. The won't or they can't. It ain't about being "big". Health is all in endurance, agility and stamina. Its about beng a freaking machine; sprinting thru the dense forest as fast as you can, never stopping.

I have been a carpenter for 15 years now and I am 31 now. The things you guys use is just genius. You got me thinking of ideas of my own now. Maybe making some concrete dumbells and a pull up station outta a 4x4 frame. I don't have the luxury of trees in my yard, so i'll have to make a few things. I can't wait to start!

I'm gonna get the word out for you guys. Society is so f$cked up nowadays it will be hard to actually get people to understand what you guys are doing...You're no crazier than the asshole who goes for weekly manicures or tanning every week. Funny how that kinda shit s accepted. Society got it's shit backwards. Hope people see the genuiness and possibilites of what you guys got going on.

I'm seriously amped up! I went in my garage and couldn't believe the shit in there I can use to a workout with. I got full bucket of spackle and some 60lb stones laying around. I'm going primative, I'm gettin' gorilla man! I gotta keep up with you beasts! Hope to meet you guys this summer! Great f%cking job! Keep it going!!"

Outdoor Log Workout - SttB Articles

Via Fight Geek : Mark de Grasse demonstrates a great way to get some fresh air - a simple log/bodyweight workout. Note that you could also do many of these moves with something like a Slosh Pipe (how to make one). Whatever you've got available.

Monday, 11 Jul 2011 - Issues

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

Ready to add your own opinion, workout log or training article? Just head over to the Forums, Training Logs, or swing by the Article Submissions page. They're fantastic ways to share your ideas.


Video : Super Band Mountain Climbers

Ready for a challenge? These look great.




Twitterchat 126 - Increasing Your Vertical Jump

Let's face it, jumping can be downright fun. Whether it's part of a training session, your chosen sport or you just feel like being a kid - jumping is it.

This week we'll be taking a look at the second of those three options - the sporting side of things. For professional athletes, and those of us who just enjoy an occasional game with friends. No matter how many spectators there are, we'll be discussing the many, many ways to Increase Your Vertical Jump.


Helping us explore this fascinating topic is none other than Shuttle Systems' Kris Aguero (@krisaguero). Fantastic.


Details -

Who : Strength-training fans
Topic : Increasing Your Vertical Jump
When : Wed Jul 13, 9pm EDT (1am UTC)
How : Include #sbgym in your tweets.

If you've never been to one of these twitterchats before, here's how to join in the fun. Simple, quick to set up and free.

And to see when it's on in your timezone, head over to the twitterchat calendar.

See you there.


Quick update on last week's twitterchat : Thanks once again to everyone who took part in the discussion on Supplements : Fish Oil. Some superb ideas in there.

For those who missed out on the conversation, here's a brief summary. Was a great one.


Tip of the Week: How Close is Close?

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, facebook, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

This tip comes to us from Straight to the Bar's own Scott Andrew Bird, and asks a question you may not have given much thought to before. How close should your grip in a close-grip press actually be?


When I began training, I had many, many questions (actually, that's still the case - they're just different ones now). One of these concerned the width of a close-grip bench press.

How Close is Close?

A little digging brought me to the June 2003 issue of USA Powerlifting, specifically an article by Rob Wagner. He noted :

'Let me define a narrow and wide grip. In two separate studies, researchers determined narrow grip as the distance between your acromion processes (slide your hand down your trap and the bony bump you hit is the acromion). They then applied this measurement to the hand spacing (distance between index fingers) on the bar. Wide grip was two times the narrow grip distance. Both groups of researchers found that grips that were 1.65 to 2 times their narrow grip were the most effective strength wise. The way you can determine your grip is to measure the distance between your acromion processes. Now measure the distance between your index fingers when you bench. Divide the bench distance by the acromion distance and if your number is between 1.65 and 2.00 you are in an optimal position (Clemons, J. & Aaron, C, 1997; Wagner, et. al, 1992).'

Time to do a little measuring.


Checking Out : Black Iron - The John Davis Story

This looks fantastic.

As the title states, this is a detailed account of the training and competition of US Weightlifter John Henry Davis. And at nearly 500 pages (including several great photos of Davis in action), it's certainly comprehensive.

For a brief overview of this incredible book, here's Super Strength's Bill Hinbern :


Learn exactly what it was like to train with John.

Read about his legendary battles with Steve Stanko, his World Championship showdowns, his Olympic victories, the Pan-American Games, his battles to beat the Russian champions, his National, World and Olympic records, the day he lifted the ponderous Apollon wheels.

Brilliant.


Quick update on the Introduction to Strongman Training DVD : Two weeks ago we noted this incredible instructional video. Fantastic.

Whether you're keen to incorporate some Strongman work yourself, or are coaching others; the Introduction to Strongman Training DVD is a brilliant place to start.

Road to Strong - SttB Articles

Davie Easton
Yep, that's me.
"Its only 110kg per hand...."

That's all I could hear in my head "Its only 110kg per hand. Christ, that's more than I weigh!". The voice had started, but I knew I could shut him up.

I just took a breath, gripped the handles, picked them up and walked the 10m.

Now, that isn't a lot to do on farmers walks. Hell, we have a guy in our crew that did 150kg per hand. But for me that was a huge weight. And I did it!


My road to strong has been a long one that is only now starting to take me towards my goal - be strong. The road began 12 years ago when my wife joined a local gym and asked me a long to keep her company. I was overweight, had just stopped smoking, liked a drink and could eat junk food for Scotland. But I went along, and fell in love with exercising.

At the beginning, I took part in every kind of fitness class that the gym had to offer - aerobics, spin, circuits etc. I loved it. My weight started to go down, my fitness started to go up and my interest in working in the fitness industry took hold. Our local college was my first port of call to do a basic course in health and fitness followed by a more in depth course after this first one was completed. This then led to a couple of recognised qualifications and my first job as a fitness instructor.

All through my time at college and at the gym I would do the usual kind of weight training that most people begin with - split routine, 2 body parts, lots of exercises, some cardio. Then around the end of 2004 I found Crossfit and became hooked. I would try and get people to come and train with me but no one was interested - so I had to travel to train with friends I had made on forums, travelling from Glasgow down to London, Manchester and Newcastle. I was a CrossFit junkie, I travelled to California to do the level 1 cert in the days before they offered it in the UK. I was the first in the UK to open up a dedicated CrossFit box and ran it for 2 years. I was following the main page workouts from www.crossfit.com and getting very, very fit but not very strong.

This addiciton to CrossFit lasted 'til around 3 years ago when I changed my training and got more into strength training by following the CrossFit Strength Bias system then Jim Wendler's 5/3/1. These systems helped me to get stronger but I didn't have anything to focus my training on. I don't play any sports so I just train because I enjoy it.

At the beginning of last year I decided to enter a CrossFit/ Strongman competition at CrossFit Reading, UK which was organised by my good friend Chet Morjaria and his functional fitness website www.funckey.co.uk . My plan was to enter the over 90kg weight category and I did this with ease on a diet of cheesecake and Guinness, weighing in on the day at a whopping 106kg with a lovely power belly.

Monday, 4 Jul 2011 - Issues

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

Ready to add your own opinion, workout log or training article? Just head over to the Forums, Training Logs, or swing by the Article Submissions page. They're fantastic ways to share your ideas.

NB : I've set up a new commenting system for Straight to the Bar, which makes it even easier to share your views with the world. You can log in using your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus accounts. Much simpler.


Video : Jump Workout

Nice and simple. Love it.




Twitterchat 125 - Supplements : Fish Oil

A little dietary fine-tuning can have a big impact. Bigger gains, faster recovery and better health overall. More time in the gym.

Over a few weeks we'll be taking a detailed look at several of the supplements that are commonly taken, and the benefits they can bring. First up, Fish Oil.


Helping us explore this fascinating topic is none other than nutritionist Jessica (@fish_oil). Fantastic.


Details -

Who : Strength-training fans
Topic : Supplements : Fish Oil
When : Wed Jul 6, 9pm EDT (1am UTC)
How : Include #sbgym in your tweets.

If you've never been to one of these twitterchats before, here's how to join in the fun. Simple, quick to set up and free.

And to see when it's on in your timezone, head over to the twitterchat calendar.

See you there.


Quick update on last week's twitterchat : Thanks once again to everyone who took part in the discussion on Advanced Bodyweight Training. Some superb ideas in there.

For those who missed out on the conversation, here's a brief summary. Was a great one.


Tip of the Week: Using Rags, Old Clothes & Curtains to Fill Your Sandbag

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, facebook, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

This tip comes to us from Music Teacher & Personal Trainer Anna Papij (@annapapij), currently gearing up for the Fairfield Bootcamp. Should be a great one.


Ever find yourself on-the-road and looking for a quick (and inexpensive) way to fill a sandbag or two?

When sand isn't available - or when you're simply after a bit of a change - try filling the bag with rags, old clothes or curtains. Here's one of Anna's own curtain-filled bags, which retains many of the sandbag's properties (reasonably heavy, shifting weight etc) without being incredibly hard or making a mess. Ideal for conditioning work.

To explain how it's done, here's Anna :


I used 2 curtains for their heavy weight. I folded up each curtain and put each one in a plastic bag. I doubled the bag because I'll be using it outside and I don't want water to get in. Then 2 bags, the size of the white one you see, just fit into the black bag. The black bag is waterish proof too so it should be good for outside. All up the bag weighs 12.8kg. It's a decent weight for throwing around for general conditioning.



Reading : UnThinkable

Once again, I'm catching up on a little reading.

This time it's in the form of UnThinkable, Scott Rigsby's autobiography which I somehow missed when it first appeared. It's perhaps the most inspirational story you'll ever hear.

If you don't know Scott, part of the book's description on Amazon will give you a good idea :


After losing both of his legs in a car accident at age 18, Scott Rigsby battled his way back from depression and addiction to achieve the unthinkable--become the first double-leg amputee ever to cross the finish line in the sporting world's most gruelling and prestigious competition, the Ironman Triathlon. Scott has since become an inspiration to hundreds of thousands of physically challenged and able-bodied athletes the world over. Unthinkable documents Scott's remarkable journey.

As I noted above, it's an incredibly inspirational book. Definitely one to check out.


Quick update on the Introduction to Strongman Training DVD : Last week we noted this incredible instructional video. Fantastic.

Whether you're keen to incorporate some Strongman work yourself, or are coaching others; the Introduction to Strongman Training DVD is a brilliant place to start.

Monday, 27 Jun 2011 - Issues

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

Ready to add your own opinion, workout log or training article? Just head over to the Forums, Training Logs, or swing by the Article Submissions page. They're fantastic ways to share your ideas.

NB : I've set up a new commenting system for Straight to the Bar, which makes it even easier to share your views with the world. You can log in using your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus accounts. Much simpler.


Video : The Desecrator

A quick dose of DIY equipment. Nice one Daniel.




Twitterchat 124 - Advanced Bodyweight Training

I love bodyweight training. You can do it almost anywhere, and you've always got the equipment with you.

This week we're looking at some of the advanced forms of bodyweight work. Variations of common exercises, progressive training methods and additional equipment that can provide even more possibilities.


Helping us explore this fascinating topic is none other than We're Working Out's Al Kavadlo (@alkavadlo). Fantastic.


Details -

Who : Strength-training fans
Topic : Advanced Bodyweight Training
When : Wed Jun 29, 9pm EDT (1am UTC)
How : Include #sbgym in your tweets.

If you've never been to one of these twitterchats before, here's how to join in the fun. Simple, quick to set up and free.

And to see when it's on in your timezone, head over to the twitterchat calendar.

See you there.


Quick update on last week's twitterchat : Thanks once again to everyone who took part in the discussion on Nutrition for Beginners II. Some superb ideas in there.

For those who missed out on the conversation, here's a brief summary. Was a great one.


Tip of the Week: Choosing a Training Partner

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, facebook, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

This tip comes to us via the inimitable Fight Geek (@thefightgeek), and is part of his superb article Training Partners. Enjoy.



Watching this commercial got me thinking about training partners. Training partners are an essential part of most sports. They provide encouragement, friendly competition, the odd rebuke and of course--help you train the aspects of your sport you can't train by yourself. Or that's what they're supposed to do. Unfortunately, sometimes training partners can prevent progress rather than foster it. So it's important for athletes to be discerning. Over the years I've learned two important lessons about training partners . . .

  1. You will become like the person you train with.

    I can't over-emphasize this point. If your training partner is a lazy, ignorant, excuse-filled, thumb-sucking, moron--you'd do better to train by yourself (unless Homer Simpson is your athletic ideal). Only a high-quality training partner can provide high-quality training. Sounds obvious, but I've seen more than a few athletes blow their careers (and health!) by selecting the wrong training partner. This point leads on to the next . . .


  2. To get an awesome training partner, you have to be an awesome training partner.

    For the vast majority of my 'training life' I've had great training partners. I'm convinced one of the reasons I've been so 'lucky' is that I've made it my business to work on my partners development just as much as I work on my own. I've always viewed training with others as a means of mutual improvement.



Checking Out : Introduction to Strongman Training DVD

This is a fantastic DVD.

Put together by none other than Jedd 'Napalm' Johnson and Steve Slater (if you've ever made your own stones, you'll know Steve well), the Introduction to Strongman Training DVD is an extremely comprehensive look at this incredibly versatile approach to training. Full review shortly, but to get an idea of what's included, here's Jedd :

http://dieselcrew.com/strongman-training.html


As you can see, it's a very detailed look at this fantastic form of training. Whether you're keen to incorporate some Strongman work yourself, or are coaching others; the Introduction to Strongman Training DVD is a brilliant place to start.

Absolutely love it.


Quick update on the The Ultimate Sandbag : A couple of weeks ago we noted the incredible Ultimate Sandbag. Beautiful thing.

Whether you're looking at it as a conditioning or strength-building tool (or both), swing by the Straight to the Bar Guide to Sandbag Training. Loads of information there, examples and ideas.

Dive in.

Monday, 20 Jun 2011 - Issues

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

Ready to add your own opinion, workout log or training article? Just head over to the Forums, Training Logs, or swing by the Article Submissions page. They're fantastic ways to share your ideas.

NB : I've set up a new commenting system for Straight to the Bar, which makes it even easier to share your views with the world. You can log in using your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus accounts. Much simpler.

To kick things off (and to test that everything's working correctly), I'd love it if you could share a few thoughts. If you can, please leave comments on 2 or 3 of the superb articles on the site.

Thank you. It really is appreciated.

Incidentally, if you're looking for a list of the various articles by a particular author, head over here :

straighttothebar.com/articles/sttbauthors

Cheers.


Video : Broomstick Shoulder Mobility Drills

A couple of simple ways to get the shoulders ready for action. Nice one.




Twitterchat 123 - Nutrition for Beginners II

Over the past few years I've gradually been refining my diet, and seeing some incredible benefits in the process.

This is the second part of the 'Nutrition for Beginners' discussion, taking a further look at the things we eat; and how to adjust that to our advantage. To reduce weight, improve health, accelerate recovery, reduce stress and a whole lot more.

Helping us explore this fascinating topic is none other than All Round Athlete's Dean Coulson (@DeanCoulson ). Fantastic.


Details -

Who : Strength-training fans
Topic : Nutrition for Beginners II
When : Wed Jun 22, 9pm EDT (1am UTC)
How : Include #sbgym in your tweets.

If you've never been to one of these twitterchats before, here's how to join in the fun. Simple, quick to set up and free.

And to see when it's on in your timezone, head over to the twitterchat calendar.

See you there.


Quick update on last week's twitterchat : Thanks once again to everyone who took part in the discussion on Turning a Good Gym into a Great Gym. Some superb ideas in there.

For those who missed out on the conversation, here's a brief summary. Was a great one.


Tip of the Week: Add Tennis Balls to Your Pull-ups

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, facebook, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

This tip comes to us via David Heaton (@Alpha82), and is part of a longer conversation on twitter, facebook and email. Enjoy.


Looking for a challenge? Grab a couple of tennis balls.

Via David :

@scottbird here's a tip for grip, Hold tennis balls in the palm of your hand while doing pullups! If you've never done this try it and feel it!

NB : While you've got the tennis balls out, there are a couple of other ways to use them in the gym. They're great things to always have available.

Two of the most common are for soft tissue work and for direct grip training. Good fun.

Looking Forward To : Historical Dictionary of the Olympic Movement

This looks great; perfectly combining three of my own passions.

First - and perhaps most obvious - is a fascination with the Olympic games themselves. With only 403 days to go (there's a countdown clock on the London 2012 site), it's definitely time to start planning things.

Second is the historical aspect. There have been some superb sports presented at the Games over the years, both as demonstration and competion sports. Tug-of-war, Roque and many, many more. Love it.

Third is the fact that - and yes, I know this is somewhat unusual - I collect dictionaries. Odd, yes, but also fascinating.

Overall, it's a fantastic mix. No matter which aspect of things (perhaps even all three) appeals to you, keep your eyes open for the Historical Dictionary of the Olympic Movement. Beautiful.


Quick update on the The Ultimate Sandbag : Last week we noted the incredible Ultimate Sandbag. Beautiful thing.

Whether you're looking at it as a conditioning or strength-building tool (or both), swing by the Straight to the Bar Guide to Sandbag Training. Loads of information there, examples and ideas.

Dive in.

Monday, 13 Jun 2011 - Issues

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

Ready to add your own opinion, workout log or training article? Just head over to the Forums, Training Logs, or swing by the Article Submissions page. They're fantastic ways to share your ideas.

NB : I've just set up a new commenting system for Straight to the Bar, which makes it even easier to share your views with the world. You can log in using your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus accounts. Much simpler.

To kick things off (and to test that everything's working correctly), I'd love it if you could share a few thoughts. If you can, please leave comments on 2 or 3 of the superb articles on the site.

Thank you. It really is appreciated.

Incidentally, if you're looking for a list of the various articles by a particular author, head over here :

straighttothebar.com/articles/sttbauthors

Cheers.


Video : Knuckle Push-Ups

One of the many superb push-up variations available. Good fun.




Twitterchat 122 - Turning a Good Gym into a Great Gym

If you've ever tried running your own gym (or any business, for that matter), you know what it's like. It's a lot of work.

This week we're looking at the various ways to make your training facility or fitness business a lot more efficient, focused and profitable. We'll be sharing techniques that have been used successfully by other gym owners, and I'd love to hear your own ideas. Helping us explore this fascinating topic is none other than Body by D-Rock's Derek Peruo (@bodybydrock). Fantastic.


NB : if you're the owner of a training facility or fitness business, head over to the forums and add a quick summary of your services to the 'Recommended Coaches and Trainers' forum. It's free advertising, and I'll be using that list as the basis of a couple of things following the discussion. Details shortly, but believe me, you'll want to be on the list :)


Details -

Who : Strength-training fans
Topic : Turning a Good Gym into a Great Gym
When : Wed Jun 15, 9pm EDT (1am UTC)
How : Include #sbgym in your tweets.

If you've never been to one of these twitterchats before, here's how to join in the fun. Simple, quick to set up and free.

And to see when it's on in your timezone, head over to the twitterchat calendar.

See you there.


Quick update on last week's twitterchat : Thanks once again to everyone who took part in the discussion on Fat Loss. Some superb ideas in there.

For those who missed out on the conversation, here's a brief summary. Was a great one.


Tip of the Week: Refeeding

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, facebook, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

This tip comes to us via Food & Fitness' Anthony Paradis (@foodnfitness), and looks at one of the many fascinating areas that came up in the most recent twitterchat - Refeeding. Enjoy.


Have you hit a weight loss plateau?

Cutting calories is necessary for fat loss but it also creates metabolic stress in the body. Stress hormones and leptin levels can become altered over time and along with a slower metabolism, weight loss can stall.


If this is you, fear not. A simple break from dieting, called a refeed, could be your ticket to results!

To "refeed" just eat 100% of your maintenance calories with higher carbohydrates. This usually equates to an extra meal and a small dessert with your current diet. After about 5-7 days of refeeding, reassess and get back on track to your target weight.


Checking Out : New-look Ultimate Sandbag

I love these things. Incredibly versatile, deceptively challenging, and extremely tough.

Although I've built (and still build, particularly when travelling) any number of sandbags over the years, I generally use the Ultimate Sandbags for my own training. Superbly made, and ready for everything I throw at them.

What sorts of things do I do with them? Well, a lot of the stuff on the Straight to the Bar Guide to Sandbag Training. If you're new to sandbag work, start there. If you've been doing it for years, well, you know what it's like.

Either way, when it comes to buying one for yourself, grab the best. The Ultimate Sandbag.


Quick update on the Super Human System : A few weeks ago we noted the superb Super Human seminars.

Here's a simple way to access that same invaluable information, whenever it suits - the Super Human Membership. Love it.

Monday, 6 Jun 2011 - Issues

This Week on Straight to the Bar

I'm constantly amazed at just how much my training is influenced by the people on this site. Whether you're looking for a new piece of equipment, an unusual exercise variation or just an idea of how others approach things, you'll enjoy these :

NB : I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do the +1 thing, leave a comment beneath the article itself, and share your views with the fantastic strength-training community. Cheers.


Video : Squatting : A Loaded 'Happy Baby'

Very interesting indeed.




Twitterchat 121 - Fat Loss

There are many approaches to fat loss; combining nutrition and exercise in various ways.

This week we're taking a look at the high-protein approach, how it works and why it's effective in many cases. Helping us explore this fascinating topic is none other than Food & Fitness' Anthony Paradis (@foodnfitness). Fantastic.


Details -

Who : Strength-training fans
Topic : Fat Loss
When : Wed Jun 8, 9pm EDT (1am UTC)
How : Include #sbgym in your tweets.

If you've never been to one of these twitterchats before, here's how to join in the fun. Simple, quick to set up and free.

And to see when it's on in your timezone, head over to the twitterchat calendar.

See you there.


Quick update on last week's twitterchat : Thanks once again to everyone who took part in the discussion on Exercise Variations. Some superb ideas in there.

For those who missed out on the conversation, here's a brief summary. Was a great one.


Tip of the Week: 8 Glasses of Water Per Day?

Each week we publish a number of tips and techniques via twitter, facebook, the forums, the blog; and now the newsletter. Wherever you are, there's always a way to improve what you're doing.

This tip comes to us via Straight to the Bar's own Scott Andrew Bird, and looks at the origins of the guidelines surrounding water consumption. Enjoy.


WaterMost people are aware that the drinking of plenty of water is advisable, and anecdotal evidence suggests that more = better (up to a point). However, where did the current guideline of '8 cups per day' come from?


According to Valtin (i) the origin is probably the 1945 recommendation made by the Food and Nutrition Board of the US National Research Council. This stated :

A suitable allowance of water for adults is 2.5 liters daily in most instances. An ordinary standard for diverse persons is 1 milliliter for each calorie of food. Most of this quantity is contained in prepared foods.

Think 'ml per calorie', rather than a fixed amount. After all, everyone's different.

NB : The 2.5 litres was changed to 8 x 8 fluid ounce cups in later recommendations, but is otherwise unchanged.


Checking Out : Old Sports & Strength Videos

I love these.

Whilst researching the various strength feats of Thomas Topham I stumbled across a collection of sporting and strength videos from the early 20th century. Everything from films which include a strongman show to movies of sports events from the period.


Right now I'm watching several of the boxing trailers and newsreels, featuring the incredible Jack 'The Manassa Mauler' Dempsey (pictured).You'll find all of these - absolutely free - over at archive.org. Dive in.


Quick update on Explode Your Deadlift : A few weeks ago we mentioned Explode Your Deadlift, Andy Bolton's much anticipated ebook on deadlift training.

As I'm more than a little partial to the deadlift, I'm a big fan. What do you think - has Explode Your Deadlift helped you in your own quest?

A great read.

Long-term readers of Straight to the Bar may recall this image of 18thC Strongman Thomas Topham, conducting a harness lift with 3 barrels of water weighing a superb 1,836lb 1. Just one of the many strength feats he was regularly performing for a London audience, decades before this was consistently done elsewhere.

This article outlines the life of this incredible Strongman, the many feats he performed, and a little more on the harness lift depicted. Let's dive in.


Thomas Topham - known as 'the strong man', and later 'the British Samson' 2 - was born in London about 1710 1, the son of a carpenter. Although he was brought up as a carpenter's apprentice, he eventually found himself as the landlord of a small pub, the Red Lion Inn near the old St Luke's Hostpital (now in Fitzroy Square, Marylebone).

Here he discovered that although he was a poor businessman (as far as the pub was concerned), he was able to entertain the patrons by performing various feats of strength. Ultimately this would become his routine - crowds would gather not just to drink, but to see him perform (at 1s each, no less).

Feats of Strength

18thC Map of Moorfields
18thC Map of Moorfields. From Horwood's Map of 1799.
Thomas Topham regularly performed many strength feats which can still be seen in Strongman shows today. His first public exhibition - sometime around 1733 - consisted of him pulling against a horse while lying on his back with his feet against the wall dividing Upper and Lower Moorfields 1. He later performed this feat held back by wooden stakes driven in to the ground 6.



On 10 July 1734, a concert at Stationers' Hall was given for his benefit, and included several of his strength feats. The woodcut on the performance's programme (now in the British Museum) shows Topham lying extended between two chairs, with a glass of wine in his right hand, and five men standing on his body.

In 1737 Topham performed in Ireland and Scotland; and at Macclesfield in Cheshire he impressed the corporation to such an extent that they gave him a purse of gold and made him a free burgess. At Derby he rolled up a pewter dish of seven pounds 'as a man rolls up a sheet of paper'; twisted a kitchen spit round the neck of a local shopowner who had insulted him, and lifted the 27 stone Vicar of All Saints with one hand, he himself lying on two chairs with four people standing on his body. He further entertained the crowd with a rendition of 'Mad Tom' (Tom O' Bedlam), though in a voice 'more terrible than sweet' 1.

Topham performing. From 'The Eccentric Mirror'
Topham performing. From 'The Eccentric Mirror'.
These feats were documented by several people, most notably Dr John Theophilus Desaguliers; a French Natural Philosopher and member of the Royal Society of London. Desaguliers lived nearby, and took a strong scientific interest in Topham's abilities. In his writings (notably System of Experimental Philosophy) he described his various skills 6 :
  • Having rubbed his fingers with coal-ashes to keep them from slipping, he rolled up a very strong large pewter plate 6.
  • Having laid seven or eight short and strong pieces of tobacco-pipe on the first and third fingers, he broke them by the force of his middle finger 6.
  • He broke the bowl of a strong tobacco-pipe placed between his first and third fingers, by pressing his fingers together sideways 6.
  • Having thrust another such bowl under his garter, his legs being bent, he broke it to pieces by the tendons of his hams, without altering the bending of his leg 6.
  • He lifted with his teeth, and held in a horizontal position for considerable time, a table six feet long; with half a hundred weight hanging at the end of it. The feet of the table rested against his knees 6.
  • Holding in his right hand an iron kitchen poker three feet long and three inches round, he struck it upon his bare left arm, between the elbow and the wrist till he bent the poker nearly to a right angle 6.
  • Taking a similar poker, and holding the ends of it in his hands, and the middle against the back of his neck, he brought both ends of it together before him, and he then pulled it almost straight again 6.
  • He broke a rope about two inches in circumference, which was partly wound about a cylinder four inches in diameter, having fastened the other end of it to straps that went over his shoulder 6.
  • He lifted an 800lb "rolling stone" off the ground using only his hands, taking hold of a chain that was fastened to it, whilst standing on a platform above 6. Topham himself only weighed 200lb.
Dr Desaguliers would take the young Topham regularly to perform at meetings of the Royal Society 10; where there was considerable interest in human physiology. Desaguliers also invited Thomas to act as his bodyguard on various Masonic travels, and he encouraged Topham to hold public demonstrations at each location. This not only proved to be a handsome source of income, it helped make Topham famous both nationally and abroad.

He Could Also Sing

In addition to his freakish strength, Thomas Topham could also sing; he was a soloist for St Werburgh's Church in Derby 7. Though his basso profundo was said to be so deep and resonant that it was scarcely human 7.

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