As you can see by this early 20th century letterhead from my collection, T.A. Tatro was considered to be the teenage “boy wonder” when it came to feats of strength. He held back (horses human-link style), performed heavy back-lifts, tore decks of cards, and more.
Concerning card tearing, he advertised the following: “Tearing two packs of playing cards in any direction, meaning cross up and down, corner ways, etc., etc.”
The post Boy Wonder appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
I have been representing High Performance Fitness by performing at the Houston Marathon during the pre-events for the last six years. Since I still haven’t recovered from my surgery, I decided to call my good friend Pat the “Human Vice” Povilaitis to come down from New Jersey to help me out this year. As you would guess, the show went over well with Pat taking care of all of the destruction- while I did curls with the microphone!
Pictured Back Row: Mike McGinnis, Pat Povilaitis, Dennis Rogers, Maria Rogers, Ed Gardner. Front Row: The HPF crew.
The post 2015 Houston Marathon appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
A shot of the new dumbbell display outside my office. Thanks to Mike Graham for the great stand.
The post Dumbbell Display appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
“The Spiritual Journey of Joseph L. Greenstein”
The Mighty Atom
World’s Strongest Man
By Ed Spielman
Don’t let the title fool you. This second edition printed in 1998, is the out-of-print PAPERBACK VERSION above (R), of the original hardback edition (L) of “The Mighty Atom” – originally released in 1979. Same great book, just a different title and cover.
Ed Spielman did a superb job in chronicling the incredible story and events of the pint sized Hercules- Joseph Greenstein, who rose from a sickly youth to one of the greatest strongmen of all time.
Many have commented that this is “one of those books that’s just hard to put down.” There are 234+ pages, with scores of photos throughout this “must read” biography. Chapters include Yoselle (early life), A Bullet for the Junkman, Samson Reborn, The Mighty Atom, The Pitchman, Nazi Baseball, The Last of the Great Strongmen, Slim the Hammer Man and more.
Slim and Dennis Standing Next To the Mighty Atom’s Truck
Did You Know? - The Mighty Atom was Slim’s mentor, who in turn passed down the amazing methods of the oldetime strongmen to Dennis. It’s True!
People often question if it is possible for a little man to gain great strength. The Atom’s reply-
“There is no such thing as a little man, and nothing is impossible.”
“Many times it’s only a matter of the size of a person’s thinking that makes the difference. Whether you need a little inspiration or just want to read a down-out-right good book, look no further.”
GET YOUR COPY TODAY
And Receive A FREE Mighty Atom Bullet Knife!
Only $60.00 $47.99 Limited Quantity- While Supplies Last
The post Mighty Atom Biography appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
“Ugly to look at, but beautiful for training your hands to destroy decks of cards.” -Dennis Rogers
Grandmaster Strongman Dennis Rogers developed this extremely effective hand strength trainer years ago in an effort to help his students train their grip for card tearing while reducing the expense associated with practicing with real decks of cards. Until now, the only way to train to accomplish this famous oldetime feat of grip strength was to literally buy cards by the dozens. Ugly Rubber ™ however can cut the costs of training with actual card decks down by as much as 70%.
Unlike Years Ago - Now Available In Two Strengths!
The Ugly Rubber™ Standard Exerciser is for the individual desiring to learn to tear a deck of cards, and for the experienced ripper wishing to maintain his/her card tearing abilities. Our Standard Exerciser allows you to accurately simulate the technique required to get a good tear in a deck of cards, and is the perfect strength and conditioner to toughen the skin and grip.
Our Ugly Rubber™ Titan 2 is the newest and last version of our Isometric Exerciser. It’s tougher than our Standard Exerciser, and is designed for the user to get a small amount of movement before coming to a halt and isometrics coming into play. Dennis has found that when doing isometric training, greater results are achieved by having a small amount of movement before going into a static contraction. This has been especially beneficial in helping him achieve significant success with his bending and tearing feats.
In addition you get Exclusive Access to a Special Bonus Video where Dennis teaches you exactly how to use you exercisers to train, and shows you how to tear a deck of cards using the overhand method. Plus, your package comes with a Detailed 4 ½” x 14” Chart that you can hang on the wall to keep the steps on how to tear a deck of cards fresh in your mind while training.
So Here’s What You Get:
Ugly Rubber™ Standard & Titan 2 Exerciser
How to Tear a Deck of Cards Chart
An Exclusive Bonus Video Teaching You-
How to Use Ugly Rubber™ for Conditioning the Hands
How to Train with Ugly Rubber™ Products for Card Tearing
Two Special Bonus Tips
And, If You Work At It-
Some Freakishly Strong Hands/Fingers!
“Dennis really hit a home run with his Ugly Rubber™ card tearing training kit. If you want to learn how to tear a deck of cards and beyond, look no further. He offers two strengths to challenge newbies and hardened veterans alike. The charts that come with the kits are spot on. He has really laid everything out for you. Not only will these kits take all the guesswork out of training for this classic feat, they will save you tons of money in the process. You have the added benefit of being able to train “weak hand” tearing as well…. something few people practice when real cards are involved. I wish I had Ugly Rubber™ when I was starting, they literally would have paid for themselves within a few days. No matter, I’ve got them now.” –Pat “The Human Vise” Povilaitis
LIMITED SUPPLY: Although Our Ugly Rubber™ exercisers have been one of our most popular products to date, due to ongoing manufacturing issues and related costs we are forced to discontinue production. Therefore, when our stock is gone, they’re gone.
Order This Amazing Set Today For Only: $44.98 plus s/h*
*Orders between February 4-8 will ship on February 9th.
Canadian Residents May Save On Shipping. Email For Quote
General Info, Warnings, and Guarantee – Please Read Before Purchase
Obviously, Ugly Rubber™ was made for the hands- not the mouth, so please keep away from children, adults that act like children, and animals.
Please wash your hands after handling our Ugly Rubber™ Titan 2 (Recycled Rubber).
Ugly Rubber™ is designed not to tear if the recommended protocol is followed. It could however be susceptible should it be exposed to extreme temperatures for long periods of time. In addition, please avoid striking against a sharp surface. If it gets sliced, it will be subject to tearing. Also, please remember that it is not something that you should deliberately try to tear by continually working on one spot in an effort to tear it. Even steel bars can break if you focus on bending them back and fourth.
The post Ugly Rubber™Card Tearing System appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
A picture from my collection of the Mighty Atom preventing a plane from moving with his hair. Note the men holding him while his neck is stretching! Awesome account in the book.
The post A Real Neck Stretcher! appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
This is one of my favorite magazines in my collection. It has a great article on card tearing with a touch of info on tearing phonebooks. I love reading about how they performed feats of strength in the old days.
The post 1906 Physical Culture appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
The graduated tension wrist-roller: This pic is from a 1916 Standard Narragansett Machine Company catalog in my collection. I own a similar wrist-roller, the only difference being mine has thumb screws (hex style) to adjust the tension. It’s a great piece. It not only builds your wrists, it strengthens the thumb and forefinger as well from adjusting it! Mine came from the original U.T. Gregory Gym.
The post Graduated Tension Wrist Roller appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
This is a picture of me training for the World Arm-Wrestling Championships. I believe it was taken in 1982, shortly after winning the Nationals. This type of spring training was extremely popular at the time.
The post Armwrestling Machine appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
This photo is from a 1948 issue of Physical Culture Magazine. It is of Hollywood legend and movie tough guy James Cagney. From what I understand, Cagney was just as serious about his training. Check out his pull-up in an “L” sit position.
The post James Cagney appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
Grandmaster Natural Whey is a pleasant tasting Vanilla Bean flavored whey protein isolate sourced from New Zealand, Australia and the United States. These cows are primarily pastured, and with this practice the use of fed supplements are kept to a minimum. This makes for healthy and infection free cows and their whey protein. This rBGH free whey protein isolate with non-GMO sunflower oil lecithin is produced via a proprietary filtration process that concentrates native whey proteins in a highly purified form.
“Grandmaster Natural Whey is the result of my exhaustive search for a personal protein supplement that would meet my standards and help build and maintain the strength I require. Additionally, since it has 19 grams of filtered grass-fed whey protein with only 1 gram of sugar, it’s also a great source for increasing my and my family’s wellness.”
Serving Size: About one Scoop (23 g)
Servings Per Container: 20
One serving supplies:
Calories: 89, Calories from Fat: 5, Total Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 10 mg, Total Carbohydrate: 2 g, Sugars: 1 g, Protein: 19 g, Vitamin D: 8 IU, Calcium: 60 mg, Magnesium: 16 mg, Sodium: 70 mg, Potassium: 70 mg
Ingredients: Whey protein isolate (rBGH free), natural vanilla flavors, xanthan gum, non-GMO sunflower lecithin, Contains: Milk.
Recommendations: Stir or blend 1 scoop (approximately 23 grams) into 8 ounces of water. This product is meant to be used as a dietary supplement, It is not intended for weight reduction.
GET DENNIS’ TASTY, VANILLA BEAN FLAVORED, GRASS-FED WHEY
Please Note: Due to Expected Volume of Orders and the Fact that Monday is a Holiday, Please Give Us Until Tuesday to ship Your Order. At This time All Orders will Ship First Class Mail.
ONLY $33.25 plus s/h
WAIT!
-INTRODUCTORY OFFER-
BUY 2 And Save $5!
Only $66.50 $61.50 plus s/h
The post Grandmaster Natural Whey appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
Bud Jeffries joined me today at an event for Ambassadors of Compassion in Houston. He did a feat that was simple for him, but is always a favorite for youth as well as adults. He had a teenager hang on each end of a bar and spun them round-and-round.
The post Round-and-Round appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
Sid Harmer begins to scroll a design in a 6 ½ ‘ length of flat steel. It’s obvious that there is a “method to his madness” – meaning, he has envisioned what he wants his finished product to look like. Circa 1920’s
The post Sid On Scrolling appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
Anytime you start with the end in mind you will fight harder to achieve your goal.
The post Start With The End In Mind appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
I came across this old flyer. It’s from one of my early shows- performing with John Brookfield.
This feat has routinely been a part of my performances.
The post 92 Strength Show appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
Many don’t know it, but Heavyweight Boxing Champion (1908-1915) Jack Johnson also performed feats of strength. This 1921 clipping shows him preparing for the human-link.
The post The Galveston Giant, Boxer and Strongman appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
Strongman Arthur Santell gives a ride to a whole bunch of ladies, showing them just how strong his choppers are. The photo was taken at the 1934 Chicago World’s Fair.
The post Arthur Santell appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
Exercise your arms and shoulders with resistance shadow boxing. All you need is a Lifeline Chest Expander cable set with soft handles, an extra handle, a quick link, and a heavy-duty-eye-bolt. You will want to cut the foam off one of the handles and set everything up like the picture.
Secure the eye-bolt at naval height and connect with the quick-link. Face away from the cables, reach behind, grasp the handles, step out to adjust to the desired resistance and box!
The post Resistance Boxing appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
In his act, the French strongman Batta would bent press a 200-pound dumbbell and then squat back down and place his free hand on the floor to support himself as he extended his legs straight out. The entire time he kept the dumbbell overhead. The amazing thing is that he did this while surrounded by sharp knives. He held the position for 20 seconds before getting back up.
The post Batta appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.
Wouldn’t That Be Amazing?
The fact is Dennis has taught a number of individuals to bend various sizes and styles of wrenches. Plus, at least two of his students, that we know of, have bent wrenches into an “S” shape. Do they have strong hands? Of course!
While Dennis can educate you on how to build a powerful pair of mitts, what if we told you there is more to bending wrenches than just strong hands and wrists? Yep, you guessed it. There are both Mental and Technical aspects to performing this amazing steel bending feat: Secret Techniques and Tips that Dennis wants to share with you!
Introducing Grandmaster Strongman Dennis Rogers’ New Course:
How I Bend Wrenches
and Other Braced Items
This is his BEST course to date: Two Oldetime Strongman University Course Booklets- packed with information, an accompanying DVD, plus a Special Report on the “S” Wrench Bend.
Here’s Just Some Of What’s Discussed:
Why People Are Amazed At Steel Bending
How Dennis Started Bending Wrenches
Is It Real?
What To Avoid And Why
How To Choose The Right Wrench
How Do You Know It Will Bend In Performance
Detailed Technical Aspects Of The Three Main Styles of Wrench Bending
Pros And Cons Of Each Style
Dennis’ Favorite Style and Why
Five Physical Components For A Successful Wrench Bend
Wrapping The Wrench
Dennis’ Definition Of A Champion
The Value Of Visualization
Focus In Performance
Isometrics Techniques For Wrench Bending and Other Braced Bends
The Five Benefits Of Isometric Training
Bending & Physical Resistance To Pain
Some Of Dennis’ Favorite Exercises For Wrench Bending
Dennis’ Personal Twists To Some Great Lower Arm Builders
Table Curl Variations
Why Training Your Thumbs Is So Important
How To Make A Device To Train Your Thumbs
Conditioning The Palms
Acceleration And Balance
Two Tips For Progression When Doing Wrist Levers
Ways To Build Pushing Power To Get A Wrench Or Other Item To Bend
Some Of Dennis’ Personal Training Equipment
The “S” Wrench
and More!
All this combined with Awesome Photos, plus Detailed Diagrams and Video Footage for Clear Instructions.
ARE YOU READY TO MANGLE SOME WRENCHES?
Twenty Years Ago Dennis Charged $150 Per Hour For Training
Today, You Can Buy The Entire “How I Bend Wrenches Course” For:
Only $69.99 $56.99 plus s/h
Canadian Residents May Save On Shipping. Email For Quote
Please Read Below Before Ordering
(Ships out next Wednesday, May 27th)
Policy Concerning This Course: This is an Educational Product. There Are No Refunds. Our DVD’s are high quality disks made to play in all up-to-date players, which covers the majority of the working units today. We will not replace a DVD if it doesn’t play in an old player (we have only had this happen once in the last 3 years), UNLESS the DVD is defective. If it plays in the customer’s computer it is not defective. We will always replace any product that is not operational due to manufacturing issues or was damaged in shipment.
The post How I Bend Wrenches appeared first on Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers.