Comments on: Old School Strength – Hermann Goerner

By: Sandow Plus: the other strongmen (part 4) – Evans to Hoffman

Sandow Plus: the other strongmen (part 4) – Evans to Hoffman — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:17:13 +0000

[...] RossTraining has some more biographical detail about Goerner’s life and lifts. [...]

By: Don’t miss these great links!

Don’t miss these great links! — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:25:32 +0000

[...] why but it’s great to read about him as it seems he was a really strong guy. This post from RossTraining is great and so is this one from The Tight Tan Slacks of Dezso Ban. If you really can’t get [...]

By: TomG

TomG — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:22:52 +0000

I’m not a great skeptic by nature, but I wonder how many of these great stories of the early strongmen are apocryphal. The picture above, of Goerner lifting a 330 pound barbell, just looks fake. As do others. There is no strain, no effort. In fact, it looks like he’s relaxing. Admittedly, it took quite a bit of time to just take a photograph back then, so it is quite possible that the faked pictures were fake for a very good reason!

By: Bill C

Bill C — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:14:08 +0000

The USAWA has an annual met in Goerner’s honor. I’ve not made it this meet but have friends in the organization who still want me to go. All-Round lifting is great fun. You can read more about it at USAWA.com
Goerner Deadlift Dozen Plus One
Start December 05, 2009 08:00 AM
Location Clark’s Gym, Columbia, Missouri
Meet Director: Bill Clark

Lifts: Deadlift – Heels together
Deadlift – 2 Bars
Hack Lift
Jefferson Lift
Deadlift – one arm, left and right
Deadlift – one arm, thumbless, left and right
Reeves Deadlift
Deadlift – Index, Middle, Ring, and Little Fingers

Entry Form: None available. For entry, contact Bill at
573-474-4510 in advance.

By: Markstraining.com

Markstraining.com — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:41:01 +0000

Great article to read. The deadlift with just two fingers is amazing! for someone to able to perform such a feat demands respect.

By: Shaun

Shaun — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:17:27 +0000

Some great stuff here. A good old history lesson for all as a lot of the best info gets lost in time. Without a doubt grip strength is the most important thing to work on.

The thing with grip strength is that if your strength does ever decrease, you will definitely feel it in your hands for sure.

Match grip strength along with compound exercises and you then have a winning formula.

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:45:30 +0000

Ross, is there any vidoes of him doin these amazing lifts??
Trully incredible if he deadlifted that much in one hand

By: jeff

jeff — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:17:56 +0000

Being a kettlebell lifter for three years and having developed an appreciation for old school training, I certainly gain more and more respect for these mighty men from old school training that you keep sharing with us. Thanks Ross!

By: Balrog

Balrog — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:29:45 +0000

I want some of those old school round barbells and leopard skin pants! I think they would go down a storm in my local gym.

His one arm deadlift was unbelievable!

That has just inspired me to go the gym right now. Back in a bit.

By: John

John — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:56:13 +0000

I Like the ‘Think for yourself part II’
I also like the idea of not following a strict program but after the mood.
Some odd tools I use for outdoor training are old roadconstruction tools.