George Hackenschmidt was born in common day Estonia in 1878. He was a popular athlete during the Bronze Era of Bodybuilding (The Bronze Era was the late 1800’s – early 1900’s).
Although well known as a proponent of physical culture and strength pioneer, he was also an astute philosopher, published author, professional wrestler and Ivy League lecturer.
George Hackenschmidt was fascinated with athletics and strength at a young age. He claims to read all the “books on body exercise” and by the time he was in grammar school he was the strongest kid in town.
After leaving school he went deep into physical training for two years under the watchful eye of the Russian Empire Czar’s chief physician. It was during this time that Hacks physique and athleticism went to the next level. Hackenschmidt earned the name the Russian lion
Feats of Strength
Hackenschmidt already possessed superhuman strength by the time he was 20 years old. He trained with bodyweight exercises
His Pullover-and-Press whilst in a Wrestler’s Bridge was a real crowd pleaser. Hack could hoist 300 pounds up from behind his head, while laying on the ground, and press it while supported by his neck.
He also held a Crucifix with 90 pounds in each hand for a new world record holding it up for a long time. After earning the Iron Cross record he continued on with his weightlifting career and became a huge influence making lifting weights fashionable.
The Russian Lion invented or popularized exercises like the overhead press, floor presses, and other early forms of bench press.
George Hackenschmidt had all the right ingredients to be an elite athlete. He was an all-around athlete with explosive power, speed and agility. His training regimen was unmatched and when it came to competition he was the reigning champ. He became known as The Russian Lion because he mauled the competition.
Hack became the first recognized wrestling heavyweight champion of the world. He’s widely known as the best wrestler to ever live. And best paid too, earning $1750 / week wrestling and making appearances (superstar money at the time.) Hack won over 3,000 wrestling matches over the course of his career. Only losing 2 bouts to his arch nemesis, Frank Gotch.
George Hackenschmidt Vs. Frank Gotch
These two had epic battles that attracted huge crowds. This was like the clash of the titans. One match lasted over two hours until Gotch finally submitted Hackenschmidt with an ankle lock.
They later met for a rematch and Gotch again bested Hack. After the defeat, Hack retired from professional wrestling due to a reoccurring knee injury.
George Hackenschmidt’s Training Philosophy
George Hackenschmidt obviously believed in strength training. Getting strong has its obvious benefits. His workout plan was driven by common sense.
Additionally his wrestling profession required mobility, flexibility, and real functional capacity. therefore he trained creatively, challenging his body and mind in new ways to always improve.
The Way to Live Health and Physical Fitness
Hackenschmidt authored the book The Way to Live, which outlined his training philosophy. It talked about his healthy lifestyle and how anyone, from commoner to elite athlete could benefit from exercises and healthy diet.
He was often invited to lecture at Harvard and Yale about Philosophy and he even engaged in heated debates with some of the brightest minds of the time.
Russian Lion Workout
Hackenschmidt had intense workouts, sometimes two per day. Each workout was about an hour and included all sorts of presses and odd lifting – Deadlifts, snatches, presses, squats, carries, etc.
Hack developed the Supine Press Floor Press, which was one of the first ever floor presses. Essentially a pull over from the floor, then press. This helped his grow his massive upper body. He also popularized the Hack Squat and the behind-the-back deadlift.
He was a firm believer in active recovery and went on long walks everyday. He also believed in cardiovascular exercises to strengthen the heart and lungs. So he’d often be cycling, running, or man-handing people in the wrestling ring.
Deep breathing is important. Oxygen is the most important food for humans. Hackenschmidt knew this was true so he trained hard to force air into his lungs.
Rest and wholesome sleep was another key to his strength and size. You need your necessary rest in order to grow stronger.
Why You Need to Lift Heavy
This quote sums up why heavy weight lifting is important. I’m not saying you should only lift heavy. there’s a time and place for light lifting and chasing the pump.
But if you want real, lasting strength, heavy lifting is required. Hack practiced what he preached. He was one of a few human beings that could snatch 197.5 pounds with one arm.
“Some trainers recommend to their pupils for the training of all muscle groups one and the same (light) weight and believe they are able to obtain the same effect by frequent repetitions. My experience has taught me that this is wrong, for the muscles of men or animals who are distinguished for certain feats of endurance are by no means over-developed. A long-distance runner or long-distance cyclist always has comparatively thin legs, as have a racehorse, stag, or greyhound. Nature does not act without aim and purpose. Hence there is a great difference between feats of endurance and feats of strength.
One must consider that, although it is quite possible to enlarge muscles by certain light, prolonged exercises, at the same time the development of the sinews may be neglected, and it is the sinews which transport the action of the muscles to the bone xframe. The sinews can only be exercised and strengthened by correspondingly heavy muscle work. Besides, to take a paradoxical example, it is quite impossible to improve strong muscle groups, as, for instance, the hip muscles, with light-weight exercises.
A further illustration of the fallacy of attempting to develop the muscles by frequent repetitions with the same light exercises may be found in a comparison with any and every other form of athletics, in which a man would never think of merely repeating his training programme. In order to improve himself either in pace or distance, he must set himself a steady progression of arduous effort”
George Hackenschmidt
George Hackenschmidt Diet
George Hackenschmidt ate a diet composed of 75% plants and 25% meat. He drank 11 pints of mink per day for calories and protein needed for strength and size. He ate the purest natural food he could find.
Everyone should and can find out which diet suits his constitution and avoid all food that disagrees with it.
Eat a lot of fruit, vegetables and nuts. The natural sugar in fruit is good for energy to lift heavy weights. He ate a whole food diet, often eating raw food of lightly cooked foods.
Uncooked food like vegetables and fruits were more wholesome. Eating Whole Foods is a lost art. Now we have processed food that make you feel tired and effort should be made to avoid too much of it.
Honor the animal. Eat the organs. Don’t let any of the animal go to waste. Avoid sugar alcohol and coffee.
Was George Hackenschmidt Natural?
Yes. Steroids weren’t invented until the 1930’s when synthetic testosterone was created. Even if we conservatively say that steroids where available in one form or another in 1920. That would but Hackenschmidt at 43 years old before it was possible to take his first does.
You can confidently say he was a natural athlete. At least while he was in his prime when it mattered most.
Legacy and Contribution to Physical Culture and the Hack Squat
Invented the Supine Press which was the precursor of the modern bench press. Invented the Hack Squat which has evolved in to several types of exercises today such as modern day knee bends and squats. Gave us a fine example of how to live a natural and self-respecting life.
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