Bill Good and the Good Dumbbell
by Al Myers
Bill Good and the Good Dumbbell.
Dennis Mitchell’s story on the Good Brothers got me thinking about the Good Dumbbell, and the brother who made it famous – Bill. Bill would often celebrate his birthday every year by Harness Lifting the Good Dumbbell for repetitions. He did this up to the age of 90 years. In 1986 on Bill’s 76th birthday, he promised to lift the dumbbell 76 times, one rep for each year of age. This “stunt” was picked up by television and was well publicized. He easily exceeded this mark. The Good Dumbbell has a storied history, encompassing more than one famous strongman. The Good Brothers purchased it from an Oldtime Strongman who’s name is embedded in the history of the USAWA, and of which we have a lift named after. This man was Warren Lincoln Travis, and it is reported they purchase it from him for $110 in 1929. The Good Dumbbell was displayed publicly for many years at the Crystal Spring Water Company in Adamstown, PA. Around 2007, the Good Dumbbell went missing. No one knew what happened to it for a couple of years. Luckily, the new owner has made it known that the Good Dumbbell is in “safe keeping” and hopefully in the future it will once again be on display.