My trip to the York Barbell Museum
by Al Myers
A Bronze Bust of the founder of York Barbell - Bob Hoffman
Following the IAWA World Championships last month, I got to do something I have always wanted to do – go see the famous York Barbell Museum in York, Pennsylvania. It only took Chad and I a hour or two to make the trip from Lebanon – and it was worth it! The museum contains the entire history of York Barbell, photos and equipment of Old Time Strongmen, and the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame. We met up with Mike Locondro, who is the retail manager of York Barbell, and got insight into York Barbell beyond that normally seen by a normal museum tour. As some of you know, Mike has competed in USAWA competitions in the past and was very good, placing 10th Overall in the 1993 & 1995 World Championships. He was very gracious to us and gave us a tour of the York Gym, which is off-limits to the general public. He spent over two hours visiting with us. Chad and I thought we must have been receiving special treatment because we were All-Rounders, but the truth is Mike is just an outstanding salesman and treats all customers that way.
Chad posing with the full-size sculpture of Eugen Sandow
Now back to the York Museum – I can’t even start to describe everything that we seen. A highlight for me was seeing the Travis Dumbbell, which Warren Lincoln Travis used in many of his strength shows. It weighs 1500 pounds empty!! It seemed much bigger to me than the prior impression I had of it from pictures. The York Museum contains the Challenge Barbells of Eugen Sandow and G.W. Rolandow. Just getting to put your hands on a barbell with so much history is an amazing feeling. The museum has the Challenge Dumbbell of Louis Cyr. It weighs empty 202 pounds and fully loaded with lead shot weighs 270 pounds. Cyr could easily take it one handed and Side Press it. These are just a few of the museum items – there is much more!! The museum details the complete history of York Barbell, and tells the story of how Bob Hoffman built York Barbell into a weightlifting empire. If you ever get the chance to go to the York Barbell Museum – make sure to give yourself at least a half day to see it all!
But give Mike a call first – and tell him you’re an All-Rounder.