Three Generations of Female Powerlifters – The Crawford Women

Marie Laurence, Beverly Crawford, & Tina (Laurence) Crawford   Marie Laurence        Weight Class: 123        Age Division: M4       Squat: 100       Bench: 88       Deadlift: 200       Total: 385       Years Competing: 2   Tina Crawford        Weight Class: 138       Age Division: M1       Squat: 303       Bench: 154       Deadlift: 347       Total: 788       Years Competing: 5   Beverly Crawford        Weight Class: …

Katie Sandwina (1884 – 1952) Circus Strongwoman – Debbie Foulkes

Catherine Brumbach (“Katie”) was born with everything she needed to succeed in life, and she grew to be a beautiful, strong woman, a really strong woman.  Her physical strength and beauty gave her an edge in a man’s world, making her the specimen of perfection. Brumbach was the second oldest of 15 children whose parents were circus …

Social Media: Friend or Foe to Our Self-Image? – Jen Comas Keck

Zing! I feel a small pang of jealousy pierce through my gut as I watch my friend Neghar execute who-even-knows-how-many* perfect chin-ups on a video that she posted on Facebook. watch?v=0PUORCSB8bA&feature=player_embedded *Okay fine. I do know how many. 15. Who does 15 chin-ups?!   As happy and excited I am for Neghar, I'm now equally annoyed at myself and can't …

The Revolutionary Guide to Manly Short Shorts – Justin (70’sBig)

... because I'm a fan of short shorts! Yes it’s true, I wear short shorts un-apologetically. And you should to. What I’m talking about is drawing a line in the sand. Unchecked aggression. We have a dedicated enemy, a worthy fucking adversary. Men. Women. This is what we’re up against (Exhibit A). The metrosexual. The skinny guy. The …

People Who Lift Weights…and Weightlifters – Matt Foreman

A few years ago, I wrote a Performance Menu article about the difference between two types of people: those who lift weights, and those who are weightlifters. You might not have read it because it’s pretty old and I didn’t include it in Bones of Iron. I wasn’t happy with the way it turned out, …

You Know You Are PrettySTRONG When…. – Vanessa Gale

1. You may have a barbell TRAMP STAMP! 2. You schedule your HAIR appointments prior to big competitions/meets. 3. You paint your NAILS silver to match the BARBELL! 3. You most likely don't wear MAKEUP to the gym. 5. You don't need a MIRROR while training. 6. You let out a little GIGGLE after PRs! …

Inspiration

Originally written: 12/23/2010 They say inspiration comes when you least expect it. I’m finding that that is often true. In New York, sometimes we get a little jaded by the monotony. The fifteen hour day, on a rainy day, makes you want to curl up in the fetal position in bed and not move all …

What Does it Mean to be PrettySTRONG?

(Originally Written: 1/9/2011) by, Vanessa Gale   There is more to being Pretty STRONG then the obvious dictionary definitions of the words. Though that was the initial intent of the concept. It came about during a group training session when our dear friend Jorge, called us “The Pretties.” After an eye roll and a giggle I …

15 Powerful Things Happy People Do Differently

What is the difference between happy people and unhappy people? Of course, it may be very obvious, happy people are happy while unhappy people are unhappy, right? Well, that is correct, but we want to know what are the things that these people do differently and that is why, I have put together a list …

39 Ways to Not be Like Everyone Else

The problem with being like everyone else is that everyone else sucks. My advice is not to do it… How do you start your day each morning? Do you angrily smash the alarm clock and roll out of bed exhausted, dreading another day doing what you hate? Or do you spring up fresh and well …