If you’ve ever felt disheartened seeing monstrous loads being shifted by monstrous humans (who are almost always taking monstrous amounts of pharma), a great remedy is to read articles penned before 1960 or thereabouts.
Like, for example, this letter published in the August 1947 issue of the York Barbell Company’s “Strength and Health” magazine (which ran for 54 issues between 1932 and 1986) from a chap called Peter J Bilich:
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“I am 29 years of age and weigh 190 pounds, am married and have a son a year and a half old. I have always trained alone and I can tell you it was tough. I had no one to show me anything about weightlifting, other than the York courses. I have a little gym fixed up in my garage with about 700 pounds of York weights. I vary my training schedule often and try to keep out of a rut. Like to train on course No. 3, also heavy back and leg work. Have made the best results when I train hardest. Also use dumbbells and cables.
I can do the following lifts: Repetition military press, 185lbs, 8 reps. Repetition snatch, 185lbs, 7 reps. Two arm jerk, 245lbs, 6 reps. Two arm clean, 270lbs, 7 reps. Flat footed squat, 420lbs, 2 reps. Dead lift, 450lbs, 7 reps.
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He then goes on to detail his measurements, which are impressive yet realistic. As are the two photographs he included with the letter.
What we have here is a very strong man. Albeit not so strong his achievements feel beyond reach. His challenges are those I’d hazard most everyone who trains experiences at some point. He is ordinary, training alone in his garage using proven methods learned from materials he has purchased from a legitimate source.
A far cry from the attention-seeking dimfluencers, PubMed academics, and fitness coaches LARPing as medical professionals who sadly dominate the discourse around training these days.
Anyway.
On a (very) loosely related note, I’m looking for a small handful (not more than five) people who want to work towards getting stronger and more in shape using sustainable methods for results potentially not unlike those enjoyed by Mr Bilich all those years ago.
This is a close arrangement. Private (no sharing your struggles with a group of random strangers on a video call), with bountiful personal support to ensure (insofar as these things can be ensured) you are successful in putting what I teach you into practice, not just now but potentially for many years to come.
It’s also open ended. There is no fixed term contract to sign. You pay monthly and can cancel whenever you like without question or challenge (however, I am not offering a “money back guarantee” or similar).
If you’d like the details, go here:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/online
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman