Bodybuilding in the 1940's and 50's

shligo.bulker · 11-06-2012 05:18PM #1

Hey guys, after doing LOTS of research and finding out that 90% of modern day muscle building "facts" are really just a bunch of lies, iv decided to follow the same style of diet/training as the bodybuilders of the pre-steroid era such as the great Reg Park. Il be doing regs 5x5 soon but i cant find much info on the diets of the old school bodybuilders. Anybody here got any info or links?

Doug Cartel · 11-06-2012 05:42PM

There were were 66 years between the Wright brothers' first flight, and man landing on the moon. Now while training methods probably haven't developed quite as fast as aeronautics, you'd want to have a good reason to throw out 50 - 60 years of progress.

There's a lot of tap advice out there right now, but there was probably a lot of bad advice floating around back then. Just going back to the old advice without applying any critical thinking and research probably won't get you very far - and if you're going to go to the trouble of applying critical thinking and research, wouldn't you be best off doing that to sort the wheat from the chaff in modern practices?

deadlybuzzman · 11-06-2012 07:14PM

If you're looking to weed out the good advice from the hype and downright lies you could always just ask a couple of the bigger lads in your gym and sound them out.
At least then you know then that they do what they say they do and its not just some online trainer trying to make a name for himself by making daft claims.
The most important thing is to pick a tried and trusted template and STICK to it, so far we know youve done strongman low rep stuff then GVT 2.0 and now looking to change again, no harm changing if its going wrong but 6 months Id say would be a minimum length on a programme to really get the best from it

J-Fit · 11-06-2012 08:15PM

shligo.bulker wrote: »

Hey guys, after doing LOTS of research and finding out that 90% of modern day muscle building "facts" are really just a bunch of lies, iv decided to follow the same style of diet/training as the bodybuilders of the pre-steroid era such as the great Reg Park. Il be doing regs 5x5 soon but i cant find much info on the diets of the old school bodybuilders. Anybody here got any info or links?

Many of us tried to tell you that most of the stuff you'll hear like the 6 meals a day, or the no carbs after a certain time are bullcrap and you turned around and threw a hissy fit about how this forum is a joke. Why would you believe anyone now?

Hanley · 11-06-2012 10:42PM

J-Fit wrote: »

Many of us tried to tell you that most of the stuff you'll hear like the 6 meals a day, or the no carbs after a certain time are bullcrap and you turned around and threw a hissy fit about how this forum is a joke. Why would you believe anyone now?

+1

Transform · 11-06-2012 11:32PM

Read muscle, smoke and mirrors by randy Roche.
Covers most of it

Raven_Melody · 11-06-2012 11:34PM

Thinking too much makes you fat.

Training makes you less fat.

True story.

shligo.bulker · 12-06-2012 05:16PM

Hanley wrote: »

J-Fit wrote: »

Many of us tried to tell you that most of the stuff you'll hear like the 6 meals a day, or the no carbs after a certain time are bullcrap and you turned around and threw a hissy fit about how this forum is a joke. Why would you believe anyone now?

+1

Jesus what is up with some of you guys here? First off, i made a topic APOLOGISING and THANKING the people that opened my eyes. And second, why the hell cant people stay on topic without bringing up things that were said in previous topics. Smfh

shligo.bulker · 12-06-2012 05:17PM

Doug Cartel wrote: »

There were were 66 years between the Wright brothers' first flight, and man landing on the moon. Now while training methods probably haven't developed quite as fast as aeronautics, you'd want to have a good reason to throw out 50 - 60 years of progress.

There's a lot of tap advice out there right now, but there was probably a lot of bad advice floating around back then. Just going back to the old advice without applying any critical thinking and research probably won't get you very far - and if you're going to go to the trouble of applying critical thinking and research, wouldn't you be best off doing that to sort the wheat from the chaff in modern practices?

Because modern practices benefit the steroid users more than the natural lifters.

Hanley · 12-06-2012 05:23PM

shligo.bulker wrote: »

Jesus what is up with some of you guys here? First off, i made a topic APOLOGISING and THANKING the people that opened my eyes. And second, why the hell cant people stay on topic without bringing up things that were said in previous topics. Smfh

Because you're flipping to extreme's again.

If you do your 40s/50s routine you're going to come back in a few weeks again disappointed with results. You'll ask about another gimmick, you'll get told, again that the middle of road approach is probably best. There was a lot of good advice in the GVT thread. Maybe apply some of that instead?

For someone SO sure of what they're doing, you're very enquiring.

Doug Cartel · 12-06-2012 05:27PM

shligo.bulker wrote: »

Because modern practices benefit the steroid users more than the natural lifters.

Practices from the 40's probably benefit steroid users more than natural lifters as well. I believe that is one of the main reasons that people take steroids - so that they can get more out of their weight lifting sessions.

shligo.bulker · 12-06-2012 05:29PM

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

If you're looking to weed out the good advice from the hype and downright lies you could always just ask a couple of the bigger lads in your gym and sound them out.
At least then you know then that they do what they say they do and its not just some online trainer trying to make a name for himself by making daft claims.
The most important thing is to pick a tried and trusted template and STICK to it, so far we know youve done strongman low rep stuff then GVT 2.0 and now looking to change again, no harm changing if its going wrong but 6 months Id say would be a minimum length on a programme to really get the best from it

No offence but saying to ask the biggest guys in the gym is the worst advice ever. Any gym iv been in, the biggest guys are on steroids and also just geneticly gifted. I spent years taking advice from "the biggest guys" that i know. One guy was huge despite partying and doing drugs all the time, eating nothing but junk, and did 50 pushups a day. A good friend of mine he was, and told me to just do 50 pushups a day coz thats what worked for him. Needless to say i got nowhere. Lots of other big guys told me to try other useless "routines" like that too. Point is, some lucky guys are just naturally big even if they sit on their ass all day. Just coz someones big does not mean they know anything about training. I appriciate your comment tho, at least you didnt come in being a dick. As for the "gvt", i ended up not doing it. The thought of lifting such incredibly light weight just put me off. Im weak enough as it is without losing more strength lol

Doug Cartel · 12-06-2012 05:32PM

shligo.bulker wrote: »

As for the "gvt", i ended up not doing it. The thought of lifting such incredibly light weight just put me off. Im weak enough as it is without losing more strength lol

Words fail me.

shligo.bulker · 12-06-2012 05:34PM

Hanley wrote: »

shligo.bulker wrote: »

Jesus what is up with some of you guys here? First off, i made a topic APOLOGISING and THANKING the people that opened my eyes. And second, why the hell cant people stay on topic without bringing up things that were said in previous topics. Smfh

Because you're flipping to extreme's again.

If you do your 40s/50s routine you're going to come back in a few weeks again disappointed with results. You'll ask about another gimmick, you'll get told, again that the middle of road approach is probably best. There was a lot of good advice in the GVT thread. Maybe apply some of that instead?

For someone SO sure of what they're doing, you're very enquiring.

Obviously im not gonna ditch ALL modern methods. And why do you say im "SO sure" of what im doing? Am i meant to just agree with every little thing you guys say? Gees, sorry for having my own opinions lmao

shligo.bulker · 12-06-2012 05:41PM

Why is it so hard for you guys to stay on topic anyway? And what exactly is it that you have against me? From the moment iv came here iv encountered nothing but hostility from angry little keyboard warriors with a "know it all" complex. I rarely get a straight answer to a question, instead my topics get bombarded with comments relating to previous threads iv made. Seriously, wtf?!

Gummy Panda · 12-06-2012 05:42PM

Transform wrote: »

Read muscle, smoke and mirrors by randy Roche.
Covers most of it

Good book?

Nervous Wreck · 12-06-2012 05:48PM

shligo.bulker wrote: »

Why is it so hard for you guys to stay on topic anyway? And what exactly is it that you have against me? From the moment iv came here iv encountered nothing but hostility from angry little keyboard warriors with a "know it all" complex. I rarely get a straight answer to a question, instead my topics get bombarded with comments relating to previous threads iv made. Seriously, wtf?!

It's probably because you constantly ask for advice and then completely reject it.

Doug Cartel · 12-06-2012 05:51PM

Actually, back in the 40s I think they were still more into overhead pressing instead of bench pressing. (Right?)

I think overhead lifts are much more impressive than one performed while lying on your back - how the hell did the bench press become so fashionable?

shligo.bulker · 12-06-2012 06:01PM

Doug Cartel wrote: »

Actually, back in the 40s I think they were still more into overhead pressing instead of bench pressing. (Right?)

I think overhead lifts are much more impressive than one performed while lying on your back - how the hell did the bench press become so fashionable?

Exactly! Imo the overhead press is a millon times more impressive than ANY other lift. When i watch videos on youtube of guys overhead pressing 100kg+ i find it much more impressive than someone deadlifting 200kg-300kg or benching 150kg-200kg. Overhead press is my favourite lift to perform as well.

shligo.bulker · 12-06-2012 06:06PM

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

shligo.bulker wrote: »

Why is it so hard for you guys to stay on topic anyway? And what exactly is it that you have against me? From the moment iv came here iv encountered nothing but hostility from angry little keyboard warriors with a "know it all" complex. I rarely get a straight answer to a question, instead my topics get bombarded with comments relating to previous threads iv made. Seriously, wtf?!

It's probably because you constantly ask for advice and then completely reject it.

I only reject advice when im 90% sure its wrong. Example when a guy in this thread said the best advice comes from the biggest guys, something i know for a fact is wrong. What am i meant to do, agree with everybody all the time even when i disagree? Lmao thats not my style, im not some mindless yes man.

shligo.bulker · 12-06-2012 06:11PM

Imo the best advice comes from a guy that used to be a scrawny weed but is now fairly big. Unfortunatly i dont know a single person that has done it successfuly. Everybody i know is either skinny, fat or else just naturally big.

Doug Cartel · 12-06-2012 06:12PM

shligo.bulker wrote: »

Exactly! Imo the overhead press is a millon times more impressive than ANY other lift. When i watch videos on youtube of guys overhead pressing 100kg+ i find it much more impressive than someone deadlifting 200kg-300kg or benching 150kg-200kg. Overhead press is my favourite lift to perform as well.

But you could train overhead presses using modern methods. In fact many modern programs have plenty of overhead pressing in them.

My last post was just an a random off-topic musing I had - I wasn't endorsing going back to old methods.

Doug Cartel · 12-06-2012 06:13PM

shligo.bulker wrote: »

I only reject advice when im 90% sure its wrong.

Have you ever heard of the Dunning Kruger effect?

Hanley · 12-06-2012 06:16PM

Doug Cartel wrote: »

Have you ever heard of the Dunning Kruger effect?

Straight up ROFLcopter just landed in my back garden

shligo.bulker · 12-06-2012 06:22PM

Doug Cartel wrote: »

shligo.bulker wrote: »

Exactly! Imo the overhead press is a millon times more impressive than ANY other lift. When i watch videos on youtube of guys overhead pressing 100kg+ i find it much more impressive than someone deadlifting 200kg-300kg or benching 150kg-200kg. Overhead press is my favourite lift to perform as well.

But you could train overhead presses using modern methods. In fact many modern programs have plenty of overhead pressing in them.

My last post was just an a random off-topic musing I had - I wasn't endorsing going back to old methods.

I know many modern programs have overhead pressing. But methods like reg parks 5x5 are still popular today and have been proven to work. Im just saying that full body workouts 3 days a week like that always gave me better results than any other methods. Im not saying that im gonna do EVERYTHING the old bodybuilders did. But reg park in particular did have great knowledge about building muscle.

shligo.bulker · 12-06-2012 06:31PM

Doug Cartel wrote: »

shligo.bulker wrote: »

I only reject advice when im 90% sure its wrong.

Have you ever heard of the Dunning Kruger effect?

wow what a great site this is when even the mods are patronising and insulting. A few of you mods are very passive agressive and on a power trip. Enjoy having your little bit of "power" on the net anyway.

Duck's hoop · 12-06-2012 06:50PM

I dunno man, you might be taking things a little personally, maybe?

I mean if this was IRL, say in a bar after a workout, drinking a protein spritzer, wouldn't you expect a bit of to and fro? Banter? Differing opinions and slagging?

It seems a lot of people come on here and there's a bit of slagging and people immediately go on the defensive, ''how dare you mock me'' - I mean you're asking total strangers, it's amazing that there's not a lot more piss taking really.

And in fairness, you got advice.

shligo.bulker · 12-06-2012 06:58PM

Duck's hoop wrote: »

I dunno man, you might be taking things a little personally, maybe?

I mean if this was IRL, say in a bar after a workout, drinking a protein spritzer, wouldn't you expect a bit of to and fro? Banter? Differing opinions and slagging?

It seems a lot of people come on here and there's a bit of slagging and people immediately go on the defensive, ''how dare you mock me'' - I mean you're asking total strangers, it's amazing that there's not a lot more piss taking really.

And in fairness, you got advice.

Lol iv been on too many forums to take things on the net personally. And im all for havin a slaggin match but it seems every time im here everybody seems to "gang up" just because i have my own opinions. Hasnt happened me on any other site, and iv been on loads. Just goes to show how ignorant the people here in ireland are really.

Doug Cartel · 12-06-2012 06:59PM

shligo.bulker wrote: »

wow what a great site this is when even the mods are patronising and insulting.

That wasn't a patronising comment. Not that patronising anyway.

Seriously, you only reject advice when you're 90% sure it's wrong? Why would anyone reject advice that they weren't sure was wrong? People go rejecting good advice all the time and they're all probably at least 90% sure that good advice they got was wrong.

I feel you're asking questions as if you already know the answers. What's the point of that?

Dathai · 12-06-2012 07:02PM

shligo.bulker wrote: »

Imo the best advice comes from a guy that used to be a scrawny weed but is now fairly big. Unfortunatly i dont know a single person that has done it successfuly. Everybody i know is either skinny, fat or else just naturally big.

I guarantee you the guy that was skinny and got built, was the same dude that listened to people more experienced than him, took their advice, got a plan and stuck to it.

grimloch · 12-06-2012 07:04PM

Believe it or not, nobody here is out to get you.

You say you've been at this for years, it sounds like you've done a fair whack of reading but you probably need to accept you don't know as much as you think you do.

Judging by your thread on diet the other week, you probably dont' have a good handle on how to eat and the numbers you posted up are poor considering how long you've been at this so you probably don't know how to set up a decent programme either.

You say you've had good results before on all body routines, that's great. I think you could benefit greatly from picking a cookie cutter all body routine you fancy the look or, not tinkering around with it and actually sticking it out for more than a few weeks.

It sounds like you really want to be big and strong and that enthusiasm is probably half the battle, stick with a programme, eat like a champ and come back here in 12 months unable to wipe your own arse with all the muscle mass you've accrued.

Bodybuilding in the 1940's and 50's

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