srh
07-19-2005, 08:08 PM
Going through some only weight mags from the 1930s and early 1940s I ran across a discussion of the strongest man in the world up to that time. They were comparing Joseph Steinbach to Carl Swaboda. Both of these guys I have seen pictures of in the past and were similar in physique to Russian weightlifters Alexeeve or Batishev (Batishev in early 70s snatched 385 and C&J 496 at about 308 lbs) and showed little muscle tone at all. However, like these Olympic lifters they were quite quick for their size. They were at their best circa 1905 to 1915, so steroids and lifting aids were out. Incidentally, the Olympic Style barbell was we know was not around and they lifted on rather dead bars as did Louis Cyr.
Steinbach held the two dumbbell press record at one time of 314 lbs (total weight), while Swaboda has done as easy 308. Swaboda had done a two dumbbell C&J of 335 and Steinback had done 341.5. Swaboda had continental pressed 357.5; continental jerked 408.5 (1911) and jerked from the shoulders 440. (The continental clean is where one pulls the weight up to a thick belt where it rests, then dips and throws it up to their shoulders). Streinbach had jerked 347.5 for 5 reps from the shoulder (1907). Those jerks they executed were quite crude to what the style would become 40 years later.
On the modern lifts as they called back then, Steinbach had snatched 264.5 with a bar that was over 1.5 inches in diameter and had done a sort of a side/bent press with a short solid bell with a thick handle of 256 lbs. Swaboda could lift overhead the Apollon Bell (railway wheels and axle) that weighed 366 lbs. That at that time only Rigoulot and he could lift overhead. This information was from Superman Magazine(June 1941) that was published in London, England. The magazine thought that Swaboda was slightly stronger.
I recall one article about 30 years ago where both of these men had used kettelbells at some time or another.
Steinbach held the two dumbbell press record at one time of 314 lbs (total weight), while Swaboda has done as easy 308. Swaboda had done a two dumbbell C&J of 335 and Steinback had done 341.5. Swaboda had continental pressed 357.5; continental jerked 408.5 (1911) and jerked from the shoulders 440. (The continental clean is where one pulls the weight up to a thick belt where it rests, then dips and throws it up to their shoulders). Streinbach had jerked 347.5 for 5 reps from the shoulder (1907). Those jerks they executed were quite crude to what the style would become 40 years later.
On the modern lifts as they called back then, Steinbach had snatched 264.5 with a bar that was over 1.5 inches in diameter and had done a sort of a side/bent press with a short solid bell with a thick handle of 256 lbs. Swaboda could lift overhead the Apollon Bell (railway wheels and axle) that weighed 366 lbs. That at that time only Rigoulot and he could lift overhead. This information was from Superman Magazine(June 1941) that was published in London, England. The magazine thought that Swaboda was slightly stronger.
I recall one article about 30 years ago where both of these men had used kettelbells at some time or another.
