Table of Contents

CHAPTER I

American excels in light sports -– has produced no stars in heavy athletics -– all strength records held by Europeans.

CHAPTER II

Why we have so few good lifters -– professionals have killed sport by “faking” — how lifters deceive audience by using “trick” and “phoney” dumbbells -– how they “stall off” a dangerous-looking amateur.

CHAPTER III

The STANDARD dumbbell lifts -– the “Snatch” -– the “Swing” — the “Jerk” — the “Press” — how they are performed and the true World’s Records in these events.

CHAPTER IV

Other well-known lifts -– the one-arm “press” — Sandow’s favorite stunt — “Muscling out” bells -– dead weight lifting -– harness lifting, etc.

CHAPTER V

Exhibition feats -– attractive and yet easy lifts with live weights — “supporting feats” take with the public — Bone strength vs. muscle strength -– true test is how much a man lifts — not how much he supports.

CHAPTER VI

The magic of strength -– “chain snapping” -– “coin breaking” -– “card tearing,” etc.

CHAPTER VII

American professional “strong men” rarely compete -– they only indulge in challenges for advertising purposes.

CHAPTER VIII

Who is the Strongest Man in the world? — six or eight claimants considered by an expert -– how to determine the Champion -– the man who is recognized as the present Title Holder -– no man supreme -– most lifting records held by amateurs.

CHAPTER IX

Measurements of famous strong men -– often exaggerated — the chest expansion fake — how size of man’s head affects his appearance.

CHAPTER X

Place weight lifting on proper footing -– appoint a Board of Control -– Make professionals and amateurs prove their lifts in public -– never take a professional lifter’s word regarding his lifts.

CHAPTER XI

Weight lifting vs. heavy dumbbell exercises -– how to strengthen the body for heavy work -– same method used by all famous “Strong Men” — lifting a sport for young and old -– any age between 15 and 45 — a man at his best in heavy work between 30 and 40 — famous William Tuerk created World’s Records when 42 years old -– hammer throwers stay at top for years.

CHAPTER XII

Difference between strength and power -– a good big man always beats a good little man -– heavy men hold Records -– how much ought a 200-lb. man to lift? -– how much ought a 150-lbs man lift — 100 lbs. in one hand a boy’s feats -– remarkable records of some 140-lb. lifters.

CHAPTER XIII

Old superstitions regarding lifting -– what do you mean by “muscle bound” — the slow, beefy, lifter out of date -– takes an active man to do competition lifting -– great lifters usually fine jumpers.

CHAPTER XIV

Stage work -– thin man cannot hold a job -– audience demands muscle on surface — so-called “Strong Men” who travel on their “shape.”

CHAPTER XV

Interesting anecdotes about famous lifters -– their methods in training -– views regarding drinking, smoking, etc.

“I just finished reading, ‘The Truth About Weight Lifting’ by Alan Calvert. It really opened my eyes about early lifting in America.”
Justin R.
Belton, Missouri