The Sandow Plus site has been updated with three Thomas Inch books.  The main Thomas Inch listing can be found at the link below:

http://www.sandowplus.co.uk/Competition/Inch/inch01.htm

You can then download the three new listings in PDF format.  You can also view these books online if you wish.  A few quick links are provided below for your convenience.  Please note that the PDF listings are fairly large in size, so may take a few moments to load.

Thomas Inch On Strength – online version

Thomas Inch On Strength – PDF (large file)

Strength Secrets – online version

Strength Secrets – PDF (large file)

Instructions on Advanced Exercises – online version

Instructions on Advanced Exercises – PDF (large file)

The name Thomas Inch is often associated with the Inch Dumbbell.  The original Inch dumbbell was 172 pounds and 9 ounces.  Inch become well known for lifting this thick handled dumbbell overhead.

Formerly, Britain’s Strongest Man, Thomas Inch should be remembered for much more than his dumbbell lifting prowess however.  Born in 1881, he presented ideas that many falsely consider new breakthroughs in today’s era.   As you look through his material (along with the rest of the Sandow site), you’ll realize that almost nothing is new.

One of the reasons why I enjoy Inch’s material was his interest and involvement in the sport of boxing.   Some of the notable fighters that Inch worked with include Gunner Moir and Bombardier Billy Wells (pictured below).

Inch shares stories about these boxers in the Strength Secrets book listed above.  He also discusses boxing within the Thomas Inch on Strength book.  He even suggested various boxing workouts for non-fighters.  In fact, much of what he prescribed in the early 1900′s would be considered cross-training today.  For example, Inch mentioned the following:

I am personally in favor of varying the work by allocating a certain amount of time to other methods, such as moderately heavy dumbbell work, use of a heavy expander, interest and participation in other sports and games.

He then went on to say,

Such work includes running, skipping, Indian club swinging, long drawn-out light dumbbell work or wall exercise work, shadow boxing, ball punching, boxing, etc.  None of this kind of work is calculated to put on heavy muscular development, though it has its uses, it improves wind and speed, etc.

Inch also had interesting things to say regarding topics such as speed in relation to strength, tendon strength, mental efficiency, and more.

If you want to learn about becoming strong and athletic, it is always useful to learn from someone who walked the walk and practiced what he preached.  Thomas Inch was an absolute beast, long before any of today’s so-called “modern” training secrets were revealed to the masses.

I highly recommend taking some time to look through his material.