Strongman (strength athlete)

In the 19th century, the term strongman refers to an exhibitor of strength (before strength sports were codified into weightlifting, powerlifting etc., becoming actual athletic competitions) or circus performers of similar ilk who displayed strength feats such as the bent press, supporting large amounts of weight held overhead at arm's length, steel bending, chain breaking, etc. Large amounts of wrist, hand, and tendon strength were required for these feats, as well as prodigious oblique strength.

Related Topics:
19th century - Weightlifting - Powerlifting - Circus - Bent press - Tendon - Oblique strength

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In the late 20th century the term strongman changed to describe one who competes in strength athletics - a

Related Topics:
20th century - Strength athletics

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more modern eclectic strength competition in which competitors lift rocks, tote refrigerators, pull trains, walk while towing an eighteen wheel truck behind them, etc. The most famous competition of this type is World's Strongest Man, however the North American Strongman Society (NASS) holds amateur and other meets throughout North America.

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