Home Gym History

Rob dives into the creation of the Blob, Richard Sorin/the early days of Sorinex, and the controversies surrounding blobs. 

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Sources:

A special thanks to “Napalm” Jedd Johnson for his devotion to the blob! If you’d like to pick up his book, Lift the Blob, or explore the Diesel Crew website, check it out here. https://www.thegripauthority.com/lift-the-blob.htm

Even-Esh, Zach. “Richard ‘Pops’ Sorin: The Sorinex Iron History Museum.” Zach Even - Esh, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFNBSBdzV44

Johnson, Jedd. “Iron Master - Richard Sorin” DieselCrew, The Diesel Crew LLC, https://www.dieselcrew.com/iron-master-nomination-richard-sorin/

Johnson, Jedd. Lift the Blob: Even If You Have Small Hands, The Diesel Crew LLC, 2012-2013, https://www.thegripauthority.com/lift-the-blob.htm

Johnson, Jedd. “What is the Blob? Different Types of Blobs.” DieselCrew, The Diesel Crew LLC, https://www.dieselcrew.com/block-weight-training-the-blob/

“Our Story.” Sorinex Exercise Equipment, Sorinex Exercise Equipment Inc. https://www.sorinex.com/pages/our-story

Rob discusses the history of the power rack, which Bob Peoples invented in the early 1900s. 

Sources:

Todd, Terry. “Passings.” Iron Game History, Volume 2, Issue 3, The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, July 1992, https://starkcenter.org/igh/igh-v2/igh-v2-n3/igh0203a.pdfA special thank you to Harrison Jones for his inspiration and guidance with this episode!

Christopher, Logan. “Strongman Profile: Bob Peoples Schools Us on the Deadlift.” Fitness, Breaking Muscle, 28 October 2013, https://breakingmuscle.com/strongman-profile-bob-peoples-schools-us-on-the-deadlift/

Even-Esh, Zach. "Power Rack Training with Bill Peanuts West." Iron Roots Podcast, Episode 15, Zach Even - Esh YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9jdmM4Z8Vc

Peoples, Bob. “The Training Methods of Bob Peoples.” Iron Man Magazine, Iron Man Magazine, April/May 1952

“The Peoples Champion.” Don’t Weaken, The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, 15 January 2010, https://starkcenter.org/2010/01/the-peoples-champion/

Thomas, Al. “Bob Peoples: Deadlift Champion, Strength Theorist, Civic Leader.” Iron Game History, Volume 2, Issue 4, The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, November 1992, https://starkcenter.org/igh/igh-v2/igh-v2-n4/igh0204c.pdf

Todd, Terry. “Passings.” Iron Game History, Volume 2, Issue 3, The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, July 1992, https://starkcenter.org/igh/igh-v2/igh-v2-n3/igh0203a.pdf

Rob dives deep into the very beginning of dumbbells, their evolution, and then compares them to what we have today.

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Sources

Special thanks to Dr. Jan Todd and The Stark Center!

“2 for 1 York Dumbbells are also Swingbells!” Muscular Development, Volume 5, Number 1, Strength & Health Publishing Company, January 1968

“Dumbbell.” Wikipedia, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumbbell

“Havak Quick Triad.” Havak, Havak, https://havak.net/

Jowett, George F. “Dumb-Bell.” Patent US1672944A, Google Patent, 12 June 1928, https://patents.google.com/patent/US1672944A/en

“Mutt Dumbbells.” Rogue, Rogue Fitness, https://www.roguefitness.com/mutt-dumbbells

“Our Story.” PowerBlock, PowerBlock, 2022, https://powerblock.com/about-powerblock/

“Rogue Thompson Fatbells.” Rogue, Rogue Fitness, https://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-thompson-fatbells

“The Sandow Ringing Dumbbell.” Barbells and Bios, The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, 19 August 2020,

https://starkcenter.org/2020/08/the-sandow-ringing-dumb-bell/

“Solid Iron Dumbbells.” Muscular Development, Volume 5, Number 1, Strength & Health Publishing Company, January 1968

Todd, Jan. “From Milo to Milo: A History of Barbells, Dumbbells, and Indian Clubs.” Iron Game History, Volume 3, Issue 6, The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, April 1995, https://starkcenter.org/igh_article/igh0306c/

Todd, Jan. “The Strength Builders: A History of Barbells, Dumbbells, and Indian Clubs.” The International Journal of the History of Sport, March 2003, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249030520_The_Strength_Builders_A_History_of_Barbells_Dumbbells_and_Indian_Clubs

Wood, Robert. "Olympics Weightlifting All Around Dumbbell Contest." Topend Sports Website, July 2010, https://www.topendsports.com/events/discontinued/weights-allround-dumbbell.html

“York Aristocrat Dumbbell Set.” Muscular Development, Volume 5, Number 1, Strength & Health Publishing Company, January 1968

Rob tells us where the curl bar came from, it's the evolution of this specialty barbell over time, how to identify one of the original curl bars created, and much more. 

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Sources

Special thanks to Paul Quinn for his dedicated research. His enthusiasm for history and generosity in sharing it is appreciated! All images and research other than those listed below are courtesy of Paul Quinn.

Also, thank you to Joe Roark’s Iron History (www.ironhistory.com), a vintage weight and physical culture forum and community. The image of Lewis Dymek was previously posted to the Iron History Facebook account.

Patent US2508567A, 23 May 1950, Google Patents, https://patents.google.com/patent/US2508567

Quinn, Paul (September, 2022) Personal Communications [Email, Phone]

The Man Who Invented the EZ Curl Bar, Iron History, Facebook, 10 April 2017, https://www.facebook.com/IronHistory/photos/a.441583045874369.108761.441548532544487/1512028702163126/?type=3&theater

York EZ Kurl Bar Advertisement, Muscular Development, Volume 5, Number 1, Strength & Health Publishing Company, January 1968

Rob breaks down the history of Schisler, what separates these plates from every other out there, some controversies around them, and much more.

Show Notes

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Sources

“Vintage Schisler Deep Dish Plates Rare 340 lb Set.” Cast Iron Lbs, Cast Iron Lbs, https://castironlbs.com/en/vintage_schisler_deep_dish_weight_plates_rare_340lb_set_excellent_condition.php

Muscle & Fitness Magazine, October, 1988

Schisler Brothers Photo, David Grimes Studios, 10-1983

In episode #3, Rob explains why weight plates look the way they do, how bumper plates came about, and more.

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Episode 3 Sources:

Heffernan, Conor. “A Brief History of the Barbell.” Physical Culture Study, Physical Culture Study, 28 February 2017, https://physicalculturestudy.com/2017/02/28/history-of-the-barbell/

Heffernan, Conor. “The History of the Olympic Barbell.” Physical Culture Study, Physical Culture Study, 12 February 2018, https://physicalculturestudy.com/2018/02/12/the-history-of-the-olympic-barbell/

Newton, Harvey. “The Story Behind Bumper Plates.” SportsEd TV, SportsEd TV, 15 April 2021, https://sportsedtv.com/blog/the-story-behind-bumper-plates#:~:text=Today's%20plate%2Dloaded%20barbells%20first,the%20competitive%20scene%20in%201928.

Teufel, Hugo, et al. “York Plate List." Vintage York Barbell Owners Group, Facebook, July 2021, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1638679859706092/

“An Engineer-Coach Cracks the Code.” Ironmag Labs, Ironmag Labs, 7 June 2022, https://www.ironmaglabs.com/forums/threads/deadlift-form-the-dirty-secret-no-one-tells-you.22113/#post-69007

In episode #2, Rob breaks down the difference between Standard vs. Olympic Plates, how trademarks created a shift in the lettering on weight plates, and more.

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Episode 2 Sources:

Betschen, Alex. "The Unique Law Governing Olympic Trademarks." UB Law Sports & Entertainment Forum, University at Buffalo School of Law, 24 April 2019, https://ublawsportsforum.com/2019/04/24/the-unique-law-governing-olympic-trademarks/

Chappuis, Marianne. "The Olympic Properties." WIPO Magazine, World Intellectual Property Organization, June 2012, https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2012/03/article_0003.html

Craig, Daniel A. "Bad Sports: Has Olympic Brand Protection Gone Too Far?" South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business, Volume 9, Issue 2, University of South Carolina School of Law, 2013

Dellinger, Jan (2022, July 27) Personal Communication [Facebook Messenger].

"U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Brand Usage Guidelines." Team USA, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, https://www.teamusa.org/brand-usage-guidelines

"Weightlifting." Olympics, International Olympic Committee, https://olympics.com/en/sports/weightlifting/

Rob from Vintage Weights PGH guides Jake and Adam on the history of the York Olympic Plates, distinguishing factors for each type, how they compare to current made-in-USA options, and more.

Show Notes

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Additional Sources

Leistner, Ken. "History of Powerlifting, Weightlifting and Strength Training - Number 14 - More on Plates!" Titan Support Series, Inc., Titan Support Series, Inc., 22 June 2014, https://titansupport.com/history-of-powerlifting-weightlifting-and-strength-training-part-14/

Teufel, Hugo, et al. “York Plate List." Vintage York Barbell Owners Group, Facebook, July 2021, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1638679859706092/

"2" Legacy Cast Iron Precision Milled Olympic Plate." York Barbell, York Barbell USA, Ltd., https://yorkbarbell.com/product/legacy-cast-iron-precision-milled-olympic-plate/

"Olympic Iron Barbell Plates - Made in USA." The Strength Co., The Strength Co., https://store.thestrength.co/products/olympic-barbell-plates

"Rogue USA Olympic Plates." Rogue Fitness, Rogue Fitness, https://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-usa-olympic-plate