The Challenge Barbell of Hermann Goerner
by Al Myers
Hermann Goerner lifting his famous Challenge Barbell. This photograph was taken in Cape Town, South Africa in 1923.
Hermann Goerner had a Challenge Barbell that only he could lift. It had solid globe metal ends, connected by a 2-3/8″ diameter shaft, and weighed 330 3/4 pounds (150 Kilos). It was said the Goerner could lift his Challenge Barbell overhead anytime – day or night – for over 20 years. He didn’t even need warmups to do it – and often hoisted his Challenge Barbell overhead in street clothes. This really demonstrated the strength of Hermann Goerner’s hands – as most other challengers could not even pick it off the ground. Goerner would use a power clean to get the barbell to the shoulders, and then put it overhead with a push jerk.
Source: Goerner the Mighty by Edgar Mueller