#124 Too much?
Dr. Ken Leistner’s essay “Too Much?” dismantles the myth that ever-increasing volume drives powerlifting success, pointing to early champions who thrived on concise, focused routines centered on the squat, bench...
Ken Leistner |
Ken Leistner
#124 Too much?
-
#30 Dumbbells
This article chronicles how dumbbells became the dominant tool in powerlifting and strength routines, from WWII era iron-shop lifts and DIY farm walks to modern “functional” workouts—outperforming kettlebells in safety,...
Ken Leistner |
-
#31 More Dumbbells
This article traces the journey of dumbbells—from improvised wooden and concrete-canned weights to standardized iron sets—highlighting their dominance over kettlebells during the Golden Age of training and sharing anecdotes of...
Ken Leistner |
-
#32 History of Powerlifting, Weightlifting, and Strength Training
Dr. Ken Leistner contends that powerlifters too often ignore intense dumbbell deadlifts, bench presses, and incline work—movements that drive maximal muscle growth and raw strength. Drawing on his DIY equipment...
Ken Leistner |
-
#33 More Dumbbells for Everyone
Dr. Ken Leistner recounts his 1950s–60s DIY weightlifting journey—scavenging free plates by hauling barbells through town, exploring gritty warehouse gyms, and fabricating homemade dumbbells . These hands-on experiences highlight the...
Ken Leistner |
-
#34 Making Dumbbells for Everyone
This article traces the evolution of strength training tools—from improvised pipe-and-plate dumbbells and rotating sleeves of the mid-20th century to modern kettlebell mania. It highlights pioneers like Jan Dellinger and...
Ken Leistner |
-
#35 Let's Make Dumbbells
Dr. Ken Leistner guides readers through building reliable dumbbells by welding cast-iron plates to steel handles—emphasizing preheating to 500 °F, using stick-welding rods, and hot-peening to minimize weld stress ....
Ken Leistner |
-
#36 The Strongmen
In the early 1960s, most trainees trained on standard bars with small-holed plates because Olympic barbells cost over twice as much and were reserved for commercial gyms . That shifted...
Ken Leistner |
-
#37 Early Beginnings for Powerlifting's Bar
This article explores how early powerlifters used small-holed standard bars before Olympic barbells were affordable, then shifted to plate-loaded Nautilus machines in the mid-1980s—detailing the industry’s adaptation to Olympic-sized plates...
Ken Leistner |
-
#38 A Brief But Necessary Explanation of “Powerlifting Vis-à-vis Olympic Lifting” Part 1
This article explores how powerlifting broke away from AAU-run Olympic lifting—driven by York Barbell’s financial sway and Paul Wrenn’s legendary 975-lb squat—to form its own federations. It illuminates early governance...
Ken Leistner |
-
#39 A Brief But Necessary Explanation of "Powerlifting Vis-à-vis Olympic Lifting” Part 2
Dr. Leistner examines the politics behind early powerlifting, highlighting Paul Wrenn’s legendary 975-lb squat as a symbol of respect and sportsmanship. He reveals how Bob Hoffman’s York Barbell funding and...
Ken Leistner |
-
#40 A Brief But Necessary Explanation of "Powerlifting Vis-à-vis Olympic Lifting" Part 3
Dr. Ken Leistner uncovers Joe Weider’s doctored Mr. Universe contest photo and the funding battles between Olympic weightlifting and emerging powerlifting factions within the AAU . He then traces the...
Ken Leistner |
-
#41 The Rotating Barbell and Ivanko
Dr. Ken Leistner explores the debate over rotating-sleeve versus fixed-sleeve barbells, drawing on Ivanko founder Tom Lincir’s journey from sewing waist trimmers to revolutionizing barbell quality. He concludes that well-crafted...
Ken Leistner |
-
#42 More on Rotating Sleeves
Dr. Ken Leistner argues that rotating sleeves provide no real advantage for the squat, bench press, or deadlift—well-crafted fixed-sleeve barbells of quality alloy steel and hi-tech manufacturing reliably resist bending...
Ken Leistner |