Challenging the Immortals

Lifting Goals for Thick Handled Dumbbells 

By Tom Black 

     Having no sooner written my article on how to make thick handled dumbbells I started researching various feats of strength using such dumbbells by old time strongmen.  At the turn of the nineteenth century many strongmen had challenge dumbbells.  Ultimately, they all seem to have been forgotten except for the infamous Thomas Inch dumbbell.  Undoubtedly, the length of time that Thomas Inch used the dumbbell in exhibitions, along with the staggering weight (173-pounds) and handle diameter (2.38") of the Inch dumbbell made the dumbbell grow in notoriety.  Such notables as Arthur Saxon and Edward Aston tried and failed to lift the dumbbell.  Saxon probably could have lifted the dumbbell but the handle was only 4 inches long, and his hands where 4.75 inches wide. 

    If you've made or have purchased some thick handled dumbbells, you'll need some lifting goals to shoot for.  It is difficult to set a such a high goal of liftng the Inch dumbbell without some graduated sub-goals that can be reached before lifting the Inch dumbbell.  I've termed my quest "Challenging the Immortals," for my goal is to come close to the accomplishments of the old time strongmen.  The ultimate goal should be lifting the Inch dumbbell or a replica, the latter being available from Ironmind, and from Richard Sorin at Sorinex  (See What's new).  As I have said, there were other challenge dumbbells which were also known as "unliftable."  John Marx, who was known as the "Luxembourg Hercules," also had two challenge dumbbells (circa 1895).  Marx had two dumbbells weighing 143 pounds and 132 pounds, respectively.   Each of the handles were 2.75 inches in diameter, .25 inches bigger than the Inch dumbbell.  I think a good starting goal would be to lift a 132 pound dumbbell with a 2.75 inch handle to the dead lift position.  Next, would be to lift the larger dumbbell of 143 pounds.  Oh yes-- I forgot to mention that Marx cleaned and jerked this pair of dumbbells over his head!  Your next goal should be to clean and jerk the 132 pound dumbbell.  To round off your "Marx Challenge," he also performed a one armed snatch with 154 pounds with a 2.75 inch bar.  I'll give you a lifetime to accomplish these lifts.  Do them without the help of steroids or the latest wonder supplement and you'll really be hopping. 

     Marx also owned a challenge barbell which he lifted one-handed with either hand to the dead lift position.  The barbell weighed 226 pounds, and had a 2 3/8-inch handle.  This weight is also a very reasonable goal for the average grip master.  It was on one famous occasion in the gym that Marx was lifting the bell when he mentioned, purposely within earshot of the great Apollon, that he was the only man who could lift the bell.   Apollon heard the comment and then performed perhaps one of the greatest impromptu strength feats of all time.  He went to the barbell and nearly snatched it overhead with one hand.  Apollon did not believe in dipping underneath the bar to catch the weight, those present knew that if he had he would have been successful in the lift because it was well overhead, basically he performed a "power snatch" with the challenge barbell!  Those present were awestruck, as well they should have been.

     Apollon also owned a challenge barbell.  Not to be outdone, he used a railroad car axle and wheels.  The huge barbell weighed 365 pounds and had an handle of over 2 inches in diameter.  Ironmind makes "Apollon's Axle," a non-revolving barbell with a 2 inch  handle.  The picture at right shows the great Norbert Schemansky lifting the original Apollon barbell overhead, a feat also accomplished by John Davis.  Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, would be at minimum to dead lift Apollon's Axle with 365 pounds on it.  This is a very reasonable starting goal.  After you have accomplished the 365 pound dead lift, your next goal would be to dead lift the weight in an overhand grip (palms facing inward) and your final goal will be a one hand deadlift with  225 pounds on  Apollon's Axle.  If this is too much, consider the goal of a one hand deadlifting your body weight with Apollon's Axle.  As far as snatching 225 pounds on the Apollon's Axle with one hand, you might want to leave this record safely in the hands of the immortal Apollon.  It may be reasonable, with considerable effort and practice, to snatch this weight on Apollon's Axle with two hands. 

	Bigsteel's new Globe Barbells are a cool way to duplicate the feel of the non-revolving Apollon's Barbell.

     While not technically a thick handled dumbbell feat of strength I thought it would be appropriate and interesting to mention lifting an anvil by the horn. George F. Jowett, the great iron game writer and strongman from early last century, could lift a 168 pound anvil by the horn, undoubtedly gaining the strength to do so from lifting various heavy awkward objects, including thick handled dumbbells.  Of course, another reason I wanted to mention this was that I have this cool picture from his 1926 classic “The Key to Might and Muscle.” 

     Good luck with your lifting goals, and hopefully some day soon you will challenge the immortals. 
 
 

Copyright August 2000, Tom Black