[Al Myers]

To say I’m “pleasantly surprised” to see the Dino Gym featured in Powerlifting USA is an understatement! This interview was conducted several months ago, and I had almost given up hope that it would ever be published. We didn’t say anything to anyone about it in case it wasn’t! It turned out really nice and exceeded my expectations (you always worry that something will be mis-represented or worded wrong in interviews), and I got to say Rick Brewer did a great job on it. The Gym of the Month is always one of my favorite stories in Powerlifting USA. We always comment about the gym being featured every month during workouts. I got to thank Chuck for getting the “ball rolling” on this, and to Scott for bringing it to fruition. The DINOMAN

[Al Myers]

The heavy lifts are hard to incorporate into a training program. Recovery from heavy lift training days takes some time, and in the meantime, it interferes with your other training, especially if you are focusing on lower body training (ie squats and deadlifts). I don’t train any of the heavy lifts regularly. I usually only train them a couple of times before an approaching meet, and on the day Chad shows up!!!! Al

[Al Myers]

The exact measurement is 2.47″ (on my replica). I just call it 2.5″, because that is closer than 2 3/8″. Al

[Al Myers]

James – Like I said in the article, I was pretty optimistic about its use when I built it, but was not as impressed with it when I trained on it. I prefer the feel of the heavy bar more. I have done several different type of lifts on it, but only the hand and thigh feels anything like the real thing. The Hip and Harness lift feels very different on it due to the lever. I do think the lever on this device might help with technique on the H&T, especially when learning the proper lean back. Leaning back feels very natural with this machine (unlike the heavy bar).

My advice is if you got a heavy bar and enough plates – that is WAY better to train on than the Strongman Machine. Al

[Al Myers]

Coming tomorrow – a USAWA Daily News story on the Schmidts Automatic Exerciser!!! Thanks James for this story idea. Al

[Al Myers]

We currently only have one grip competition per year – our grip championships in February. Since we are an all-round organization, we don’t focus on any one type of strength. We do have guys in the organization that are grip specialists (as well as all rounders) and attend grip meets in other organizations. Guys like Ben Edwards. Ben – if you are reading this, maybe you could help out more with this question???? Al

[Al Myers]

All this discussion on proper footwear for lifting must have been a bad omen for me – because last night my lifting shoes of over 10 years “bit the dust”!! It was a sad moment indeed for me, because after that much time with a pair of shoes you build a special relationship. So today, I looking to replace them. I have found a few I like by looking at the pictures of them, but that is not the same as having them on your feet. I need a shoe that is an “all-round” shoe, meaning it can be used for most all of the all-round lifts (except my pulls where I wear wrestling shoes with minimal sole). Any suggestions???? AND BAREFOOT IS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME!! Dinoman

[Al Myers]

Thanks James for that link.

I read that with interest as that is not the first time I have heard of that device. Years ago I found an old poster advertising it under the name “the strongman machine”. I made a replica of it and have used it a few times in training. But truthfully I felt I was wasting my time because “why use that when you could be using the heavy bar?”. I had never heard it referred to as Professor Schmidt’s Automatic Exerciser. I wonder who Professor Schmidt was? (Tom – do you have the answer to this?). Having it the name Schmidt sure fits it however as Steve Schmidt is probably the best heavy lifter in modern history, but I’m sure this was named way before Steve’s time. Interesting how the discussion forum on this site commented about how John Grimek used it during his travels to simulate the heavy lifts without requiring the large quantity of weight to be used. I do disagree with the statement of the Ironmind Harness holding over 3500#s, and up to 7000#s. I have one of these and it seems to start stretching at 1000 pounds, at which point I became uneasy pushing it any more. Al PS this is ANOTHER great story idea!!!

[Al Myers]

Tom, Is that the most current list you have (1/1/01) on the Weaver Stick rankings?? (and I assume those marks are all in the forward position?). Al

[Al Myers]

Thanks Tom for that information. The issue of Dales Newsletter you are referring to is number 15, January 2005. You are correct – you were listed at number 42, one behind Bill at 41, even though you both lifted the same weight of 255 pounds! Hmmm…. Could a little favoritism be the cause???? haha

[Al Myers]

The strength required in lifting the weaver stick is all in the wrist, and the arm muscles don’t come into play at all since the arm is perfectly straight.

Welcome to the USAWA Discussion Forum!!! Dinoman

[Al Myers]

Thanks Jarrod – now I have another topic for a Daily News story!!!!

The Inch Dumbbell was a challenge dumbbell by the oldtime strongman Thomas Inch. Only he could lift it at the time with one hand. It has a handle of 2.5″ diameter and weighs 172 pounds. Ironmind sold a replica of it for several years, but now it has been discontinued. Al

[Al Myers]

I’m glad everyone is giving their input on this, because it has made me rethink my ideas of wearing shoes for proper posture. I have always felt that a good pair of shoes were essential for maintaining good feet health and posture, but now I see that might not be the case. My oldest daughter had fallen arches when she was young, and only through the use of orthopedic arch inserts was she able to correct this problem (and added a full inch to her height, which allowed her to hit that 6 foot height). I blamed it on her wearing flipflops or going without shoes all the time.

But I don’t see myself going “barefoot” in the weightroom anytime soon. In fact when I was younger I ONLY wore work boots with steel toes (THAT would have saved that broken toe Jarrod) when I was lifting because of my “feet sensitivities”. At least I have gotten past that! haha Al

[Al Myers]

Yesterday I received my issue of Dale Harder’s Strength and Speed Newsletter. AGAIN it is filled with interesting information, from a writeup about the World Record Pullup (Steve Proto, BWT 205#, with 196# of extra wt strapped around his waist) to the best track and field marks of 2011. As has been the case, Dale again gave mention of some USAWA news. He had a nice writeup and picture of Andrew Durniat and his one arm deadlift record at the Black Swamp strength Challenge. Dale also had ANOTHER page completely for “All-Around Lifting News” (those were his words!). It had a picture and writeup on Chad and his Neck Lift record, and a picture of Joe doing his 1900# Hip Lift at York. For those who don’t get Dale’s newsletter, you have no idea what you’re missing! It’s well worth the money!! Al

[Al Myers]

That’s correct!

[Author]

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