During the course of my physical culture career, I have had the opportunity to meet and get know many of the truly greats of the Iron Game.
For example…
Around 1971, I bought a copy of the classic, “The Super Athletes: a Record of the Limits of Human Strength, Speed, and Stamina,” and was so impressed with it, I wrote to the publisher.
A few days later, to my surprise, I got a reply from the author…
David P. Willoughby.
From there we struck up a friendship by correspondence and telephone, that lasted until his death in 1983.
It was during this time, that I learned that his background in physical culture was truly extensive, to say the least.
For example, after becoming interested in weightlifting at the age of 16 years:
He won the A.A.U. Championship of Southern California in 1923, 1924, 1925 and 1926.
He won the A.A.U. National Weight Lifting Championship in 1924.
Unfortunately, he missed competing in the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles by one seat due to lack of funding.
In 1925, he founded the FIRST weightlifting association in America, recognized by the A.A.U., as well as the FIRST list of lifts, rules and regulations in connection with the “American Continental Weightlifter’s Association.”
For over 50 years, he wrote HUNDREDS of training and biographical magazine articles on weightlifting and bodybuilding in such famous publications as:
Peary Rader’s “Iron Man,” Bernarr MacFadden’s “Physical Culture,” The British “Superman,” Joe Weider’s “Your Physique,” Bob Hoffman’s “Strength and Health,” etc.
His serialized magazine articles on strongmen include:
“Kings of Strength,” “Feats of Strength,” and “Strength Through the Ages,” are considered to be the most complete coverage of the subjects ever written!
Some of his many books include:
“Arm Development,” “Powerful Arms for You,” “Powerful Chest for You,” “The Kings of Arm Strength,” etc.
His “The Complete Guide to Muscular Measurements,” continued and perfected the study of the measurement of the human body begun by Dudley Sargent of Harvard University in the early 20th century.
“The Super Athletes: a Record of the Limits of Human Strength, Speed, and Stamina” is probably the foremost work ever written on athletic performance!
Not only did he write about physical culture, but his love for animals led him to write and illustrate books about gorillas and horses.
So, it is plain to see, that as a lifting champion, writer, historian, anthropologist, anatomical illustrator, gym owner, etc., the contributions of David P. Willoughby to bodybuilding and weightlifting are enormous!
In addition, what many consider his crowning achievement, he wrote one of the best all round physical culture training courses ever!
In 1975, Dave asked me if I was interested in helping him resurrect his ORIGINAL correspondence physical training course that flourished in the 1930s.
We collaborated by updating and adding much of the modern day information on nutrition and increased the size of the course by about one-third.
Today, it is considered one of the best total body conditioning courses available anywhere.
For versatility, it can’t be beat, for resistance in the exercises, you can utilize body weight, dumbbells, or both!
Take a moment now, click the following link and order your copy, TODAY:
Until the next time…
Yours for greater strength,
Bill Hinbern
P.S. “Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.”
