Hail to the Dinosaurs!
The other day, I spotted a John Grimek story buried deep in an article in an old issue of Strength and Health from the late 30’s or early 40’s. It was a pretty good story, so I thought I’d share it.
If you’re reading this, I assume you know the basics about John Grimek. The most massively muscular man in the world back in the 30’s and 40’s – a two-time Mr. America winner (who was so far ahead of the competition they had to make a special rule prohibiting past winners from entering the contest – or else he would have gone on winning every year for as long as he wanted) – Mr. Universe – and undefeated in bodybuilding competition.
But Grimek was more than a bodybuilder. He was a weightlifting champion. He won the Heavyweight class at the United States Senior Nationals in 1936, and represented the USA at the Olympic Games.
He won the North American Weightlifting Championship.
He set an American record in the press, and came within a whisker of setting a World record in the lift. He was darn good at pressing. At a bodyweight of just over 181 pounds, he could press close to 300 pounds.
So at the time of the story I’m going to share with you, John Grimek was literally a superman – with strength and muscular development that was light years ahead of his era.
Grimek and the Tailor
Grimek was in Chicago, working as an artist’s model, and decided to buy a new suit. Back in those days, you always went to a tailor and were measured for a suit – which was a good thing for Grimek, because he never would have been able to buy an off the rack suit.
The tailor began by carefully measuring Grimek’s upper arms – which were probably the largest muscular arms in the world at the time.
He said nothing, but made a careful notation in his work papers.
He then measured Grimek’s shoulders. I’ve already told you that Grimek set records in the military press. So just imagine how his shoulders stretched the tape measure.
Again, the tailor said nothing, but made a careful notation in his papers.
The tailor measured Grimek’s chest, which was huge. Grimek did plenty of heavy, high rep squats, and his ribcage was enormous.
Without saying a word, the tailor made another careful notation in his papers.
He measured Grimek’s massive thighs. They were like twin tree trunks.
The tailor said nothing, and scribbled another note.
He then measured Grimek’s waist, which was hard as a rock, lean and tight.
Still silent, the tailor scribbled another note.
At this point, Grimek glanced down and for the first time saw what the tailor had written:
1. Fat arms
2. Fat shoulders
3. Fat chest
4. Fat thighs
5. Skinny waist
And that’s when the lion roared.
“WAIT A MINUTE!” Grimek shouted. “I’M NOT FAT!”
If the tailor made a response, I don’t know what it is. It wasn’t reported in the article.
Personally, I think he raced for the door and ran for his life.
Thanks for reading, and have a great day – and if you train today, make it a good one!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. I cover John Grimek’s favorite leg training routine in my new book, Chalk and Sweat. You can grab a copy right here at Dinosaur Headquarters:
http://www.brookskubik.com/chalk_and_sweat.html
P.S. 2 You can learn much more about John Grimek and the other legendary Champions of the Golden Age of Strength in the Legacy of Iron series:
http://www.brookskubik.com/legacy_of_iron.html
http://www.brookskubik.com/clouds_of_war.html
http://www.brookskubik.com/1000pound_total.html
http://brookskubik.com/legacy_of_iron4.html
NOTE: see the order pages for Legacy of Iron 3 and 4 for information about a discount if you order 3 or 4 books in the series.
