Every once in a while you get an idea for a cool new exercise or a feat of strength. Often times you can test it out right away to see if it works or falls flat.
Other times you may have to sit on it and wait.
The latter case happened for me on this one idea I had. I’m not sure when or how it first popped into my mind but since that time its something I’ve wanted to do.
Finally that time came.
I’m not gonna tell you want it is. Instead I’m going to let you watch. I think you’ll get a kick out of this one.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKSh0Xt7Uu4]
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. If you enjoy it, and I’m sure you will, why don’t you give it a 5-star rating or leave a comment.
P.S.S. Oh yeah, and thanks to everyone who took the time to fill out the short survey. It’s a big help.
Filed under Feats of Strength, Oldtime Strongmen, Videos by on Oct 18th, 2008. Comment. 
I haven’t spent much time on phonebook tearing recently. Simply because some of my other feats need more work, like tearing decks of cards.
But I’d still throw it into my workouts every once in a while. Most of the time this was at the end and I’d use a large book for isometrics.
This phonebook was a monster measuring over 3 1/4” from down in the Los Angeles area.
Well one day it started to tear. And every so often I’d get it a little further. But like I said I’d do this at the end of my workouts so my hands were already beat from other exercises.
The tear had gotten down about an inch or so of the book. Then I decided I was going to finish it. It was battle and certainly not a quick one. But on that day the score was Logan: 1 – Phonebook: 0.
Most of the time you want to work on things you know are within your ability, but there are times when you need to go all out and strive for something you don’t know if you can do.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Feats of Strength, Hand Strength, Strength Training Concepts by on Oct 14th, 2008. 1 Comment.
Been traveling around the past week and a half. Nowadays it seems there is something that is always of staple of me doing that. And that is performing a few feats of strength for others.
I did a few here and there, but there was one night down in Huntington Beach where I did more than probably ever before.
This is just a piece of the damage. In total I estimate I did 4 phonebooks, 4 decks of cards, 8 nails and 1 horseshoe in one night.
Bending the horseshoes is a relatively new one to me. Satisfying to finish but tough and painful to get there.
You see, my brother had spread my reputation around. Telling his roommates and friends how I could do these crazy feats of strength.
So when I was down there, of course I was expected to perform. Since I enjoy it there was no problem and I did more than expected.
Start working on the feats of strength and you too will earn that reputation.
It was good as I wasn’t following my normal training while on the road but I still got work on the feats. And these moves all require full body action and tension.
But be careful when performing. Going for a high volume can tend to be injurious if you don’t build up to it. And expect to have some soreness if you do too much, just like my hands are right now (especially the thumb pads).
It’s not for everybody but since you’re reading this I think you should give it a shot.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. My first real feat of strength was bending nails. If you want to get started this is the best resource available.
Filed under Feats of Strength, Hand Strength, Oldtime Strongmen by on Sep 26th, 2008. Comment.
I’ve been filming for a new DVD set.
Not going to say much about it now but you can catch a sneak peak. This video isn’t part of the content but something I came up with while on the ‘set’ and wanted to give a try.
A new combination feat of strength.
Requires neck strength, some acrobatic ability and flexibility and finally a little explosive pulling power.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fevYBwMqQig]
This isn’t an exercise I’m going to be training with, although it’s components are.
That’s the fun you can have with feats of strength. You can do all sorts of off the wall combinations and ideas.
Perhaps you’ve had an idea, that maybe you can’t pull off, but someone else can. Comment below if you’d like to share it, or send it in to logan@legendarystrength.com.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Feats of Strength, Oldtime Strongmen, Videos by on Aug 29th, 2008. Comment.
Just a few pictures left from the Oldetime Strongmen University.
Have you ever tried to drive a nail through a board using your hand as the hammer? Dennis shows us how. I hadn’t really done this one before hand but if you want to learn how Dennis has got the DVD on it, How to Drive a Nail without a Hammer.
How about a little bending. Pat destroys JUST a Red Nail. Piece of cake.
My friend Tyler with a little scrolling action.
And myself levering a sword down to my nose. Usually I use sledgehammers for this feat but the 27 lb. sword had to be attempted. A little more awkward but since all the weight is not only on the tip its much easier than a 27 lb. sledgehammer would be.
That’s my conclusion of showing you a bit of what happened. What’s important is what comes next though. Applying the lessons and feats learned to the present and future.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Feats of Strength, Hand Strength, Oldtime Strongmen by on Aug 22nd, 2008. Comment.
Here’s a few other people from the seminar performing various feats of strength.
First up, we have Aaron McKenzie doing one of the feats he’s best at. Tearing a deck of cards in two. It pretty amazing that he’s now one of the best, probably second only to Dennis, when not all that long ago he got started tearing just 9 cards.
Big John McGrath of Ireland. After a valiant struggle against this monster bar. Unfortunately I don’t remember the exact size at this time but no doubt is was a big and tough bend. If you’re ever in Ireland stop by Waterford Martial Arts.
And then there was Greg Matonick. An old-timer (and of course I mean that in the best possible light) who shared many, many great stories with us youngins. Here he is doing one of his specialties. Using his strong jaw as a vice to bend a horseshoe. He also mangles quarters the same way, believe it or not.
Of all the feats this is one I don’t recommend you try at home. Your dentist would not be happy.
As you can see the field of what’s possible and doable is far and wide. What can you become one of the best at?
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Feats of Strength, Hand Strength, Oldtime Strongmen by on Aug 18th, 2008. Comment.
Today we feature two rising stars in the small world of performing strongman. You may never have heard the name Chris Rider before. But you will now and definitely more in the future.
In just over a year of practicing these feats he is already one of the top guys. Here are a few pictures of him destroying a big horseshoe. This thing was a beast.
Pat Poviliatus is known as the best horseshoe bender in the world, but that title may soon fall to Chris. You can see the determination of his face. But you don’t get to see the full effort he put out in order to complete this bend. Or hear his yells.
It was awe-inspiring and gave a glimpse of why these guys are so good. They’re willing to push themselves to levels that would scare most people.
He also has strong hair. Although there’s no picture we all witnessed him snap a chain in half using his hair.
Mike ‘the Machine’ Bruce is the other. He has the World’s Strongest Neck but that’s not all. Here we have Tim Fox jumping off a ladder onto his stomach. Yeah, he’s got strong abs too.
But one of the most amazing feats involved both Chris and Mike. Combining their abilities as only they could. Chris bending a horseshoe across the throat of Mike. Another picture of intensity.
These guys were good, no doubt. But they’re also some of the friendliest people I know (everyone at the event was). It was a pleasure to meet and get to know them.
Check out their blogs at the following to find out more about them and their feats:
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Feats of Strength, Hand Strength, Mental Training, Oldtime Strongmen by on Aug 14th, 2008. Comment.
Where do I begin?
How about a brief synopsis. I was in Houston to learn from one of the strongest men in the world, Dennis Rogers. Even among the students there we had some very strong guys. Like ‘The Human Vise’ Pat Povilaitis, Mike ‘The Machine’ Bruce, and Chris ‘As of yet no real nickname’ Rider.
And everyone else was strong too but these men stand out. When you get around this caliber of individuals you’re pretty much expected to tear phonebooks and decks of cards in half. To mangle various sizes of steel with your bare hands.
Today I share a few pictures of the materials in the strongman trade. Here’s a few prize pieces signed and kept by Dennis.
It’s hard to tell the size of some of the objects but the common objects (like the coffee cup) should give you a frame of reference. Here’s a close up of the ‘S’ wrenches.
Here’s a hammer done by Chris Rider in the same manner. Very cool looking.
And now for a before and after shot of tearing through many phonebooks. And no, we weren’t quite done yet. I believe everyone was destroyed. One great thing about the seminar was we all had the opportunity to not only do a feat but get one-on-one attention and all our questions answered.
That’ll give you an idea of some of the feats the best can perform. Next time I’ll show you a few feats as they’re being performed.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. This kind of training isn’t for everyone. But if you want to do be able to do any of these feats or similar there is one man to turn to, Dennis Rogers.
Filed under Feats of Strength, Hand Strength, Oldtime Strongmen by on Aug 12th, 2008. Comment.
Was on the phone with John Brookfield yesterday. We had an extremely interesting and enlightening conversation.
If you don’t know who John Brookfield is let me fill you in. He’s strong. Really strong. And not just in his grip (though he’s written not THE but THE TWO books on hand strength) as he’s well known for.
He’s extremely well conditioned and strong all around. In fact he’s set a number of world record’s that are crazy in strength and endurance.
The best part is I recorded it and am going to make it available to you soon.
A few of the things he said, opened my eyes to some new possibilities. Just one thing we talked about concerning kettlebell juggling that I applied today, kicked my butt.
At it was all across the board in what we covered.
Even though I was interviewing him, I can hardly wait to re-listen to it and take down more notes.
So consider this a head’s up and look for my email about it next week.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Feats of Strength, Hand Strength, Oldtime Strongmen by on Jul 25th, 2008. Comment.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1VmAhpL0e4]
Big Red was an anchor weight. Instead of letting it sit unused my brother got a hold of it and we started using it to lift. We decided to paint it one day to cover the rust and give it a bit of personality (hence the name).
It’s roughly 160 lbs. Not the heaviest but it is an odd object.
As you can see there are handles on each side but they’re not really big enough for you to grasp with your hands to get a good grip. You more or less rest them on your palms and get a bit of the fingers in.
It’s a great tool for putting overhead. In the video I am doing a push press but I’ve also used it for Jerks and a normal press. It works well for a few other exercises like Zercher squats, rows and finger deadlifts. In addition to building strength you can see and hear it will work your conditioning.
It’s not likely that you’ll have the same odd object but that’s not important. Just find something big and heavy to lift. Its more fun than a barbell and will work you harder.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
Filed under Feats of Strength, Odd Objects, Strength Training Concepts, Videos by on Jun 18th, 2008. 1 Comment.
