Since studying Arthur Saxon I’ve been doing a number of the exercises he outlines in The Development of Physical Power and Text Book of Weight Lifting.
One of them is the bent press done Arthur Saxon style. Considering he put up more weight then anyone else in the bent press I think it’s a good idea to listen to him about this exercise.
Here is my newest personal record, a 135 lbs. bent press.
Watching the video I still see lots of room for improvement in my bent press technique. The hardest part by far is going from the arm resting on the side to a complete lockout. I could have gotten lower instead of just struggling to press it out a little bit. But hey, I was successful.
If you look closely you’ll see me firing an anchor before commencing with the lift. After using this tactic this lift actually felt easier then my previous reps with 125 lbs.
I have to say, having been doing this regularly, I understand why so many of the oldtime strongmen loved this lift. Go ahead and try it out yourself. Just start light and realize that this is a very technical lift. Of course using a kettlebell for it makes it easier to do.
If you want lots more details on the bent press and many other “oldtime” exercises I highly recommend you check out the Arthur Saxon Power Pack.
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. I’m going to start training with the two hands anyhow as well. When I break 200 lbs. in total I’ll post a video of that too.
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Feats of Strength, Oldtime Strongmen, Videos by on Jan 23rd, 2012. 18 Comments. 
Can you even comprehend it? 370 lbs. overhead with one hand!.
It boggles the mind.
Just pick that weight up off the ground (if you can!) and feel how heavy that is.
Just try to shoulder the weight into place. Much harder than you might think.
Since diving into the Saxon material I’ve been doing a whole bunch of new exercises. I honestly feel like I was missing out on something big in my training, and these forgotten exercises provide just what I needed.
Plus I’m having a blast doing them. Today I was doing 120 lb. dumbbell clean and jerks followed by press lockouts. What fun!
You see the one of the main principles I gathered from studying the Iron Master was that overhead lifting is one of the big keys to overall strength. That’s why at least two thirds of his recommend exercises involved just that.
There’s two more major principles I gathered as well just as important at that one, which brings me to something I hadn‘t done in years.
Yesterday I was working on the bent press. Set a new record for myself of 115 lbs. which I did pretty easily.
Taking it slow as I improve my technique (Though I’m not a stickler for “correct” technique, the difference here is this is a highly technical lift). By the end of the year I plan to hit at least 135 lbs.
Arthur claims that this is the best lift, and he says his success in it did not sway this opinion.
If you‘re looking for something new and different for your workouts…
If you want to handle barbells and dumbbells in ways that will stop most others cold…
If you want to broaden your shoulders and beef up your back and arms…
If you just plain want to become FREAKISHLY STRONG…
In strength,
Logan Christopher
P.S. The Arthur Saxon Power Pack is one of my new favorite courses.
Filed under Barbells and Dumbbells, Feats of Strength, Lifting Technique, Strength Training Concepts by on Nov 2nd, 2011. 2 Comments.
