Roark Posted November 13, 2001 Share Posted November 13, 2001 Bob Peoples was a rainbow in deadlifting history, unassuming, quiet, humble, and as strong as a small forklift. Bob was born August 21, 1910 and died June 19, 1992, and in those years notched up his deadlifting ability at a steady pace, much of the progress being created in a dirt floored 'gym', a dungeon on his property. His grip to deadlift in the neighborhood of quadruple bodyweight was amazing. Years before he died, I telephoned him and asked if he were 'the' Bob Peoples of deadlifting fame. He answered, 'Oh, I've done a little deadlifting in my time'. One of those times was November 13, 1948 when at an approximate bodyweight of 180 lbs, he pulled 719. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersqueeze Posted November 13, 2001 Share Posted November 13, 2001 Can you share more from your conversation with him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted November 13, 2001 Author Share Posted November 13, 2001 A surprising number of times when I call 'oldtimers', their reaction is one of suspicion; why do I care about the past, what is my motive, and why do I want to know so many details, like birthdays of children etc. ? So, often, when making a first call to such people, it is just to say hi and to see if such questions are welcome. Therefore, I do not have a list of questions ready (in case a rebuff is offered). I schedule a follow-up call for the details. Once when calling someone who knew Bob Hoffman well, and indeed was reported to be 'related' to Bob, the person was very friendly. When I asked if I could record our conversation, the person said something like 'I have nothing else to say to you; I don't want to continue talking to you, and don't call back'. (Sorta reminded me of my high school dating scene). Though Mr. Peoples was friendly and welcoming, we just chatted once and for some reason I never got back to him before he passed away. Something I will always regret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest steiner1014 Posted November 13, 2001 Share Posted November 13, 2001 ??? Bob Peoples was one of the best deadlifters of all time. He was way ahead of his time as far as his training principles went. He also was the one who started to "train" the great Paul Anderson in Peoples' downstairs DUNGEON!!! Peoples will never forget the first time Anderson worked out in his basement: Bob asked Paul what he wanted to do. Anderson said he wanted to do the squat...since, "I am good in the squat". Peoples asked Anderson what he wanted on the bar...Anderson said 500 lbs. Much to Peoples' amazment, Anderson did multiple reps with this weight "with all ease". Bob then put over 600 lbs on the bar,.....and Anderson once again did it with ease. Right there, Peoples knew he had a winner on his hands. Both Anderson and Peoples were way ahead of everyone else during their lifting careers. STEIN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted November 13, 2001 Author Share Posted November 13, 2001 The figure most often given for Paul's initial squats when meeting Peoples is 550 lbs. The 600 came about a month later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrannosaurus Dave Posted November 13, 2001 Share Posted November 13, 2001 I started lifting in Chattanooga in the 60's and many of our older lifters knew Bob Peoples and had seen his lifting. We had newspaper clippings of his 704 and 719 deadlifts in our gym, but his best was acknowledged to be 725 at 189 bdwt. When Terry Todd was invited to town in 1965 to try to break Peoples' record, Bob was present to witness the event. Todd, weighing about 330, lifted a tough 730 that night, to break the unofficial record and set the first official heavyweight DL record. This the lift pictured in Todd's book Inside Powerlifting, and I am the loader seen in the shadow behind him. Anyone who would like me to autograph this picture, please send.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted November 13, 2001 Author Share Posted November 13, 2001 tdave, Yes the 725.25 lbs pull was March 5, 1949. I mentioned the 719 because it was done on this date. I remember being in a book store and picking up a copy of INSIDE POWERLIFTING, and reading parts of it without even knowing who had written it, but it struck me as I read that, 'This guy can write!' Todd has told me that Mark Henry, the pro wrestler, can close the #3 upside down and right side up in either hand. But wait- he's not certified, so how can that be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest steiner1014 Posted November 13, 2001 Share Posted November 13, 2001 Roark: No doubt there are many feats of strength that have been done out there and were never officially certified. All I am saying that if one wants to have any legitimacy put onto their feats, then they MUST abide by the rules and regulations pertaining to that feat. For example, I was a competitive powerlifter years ago and though I may have only squatted 501 lbs, at least this was done at a LEGITIMATE contest with LEGITIMATE judges. I am sure you too have heard of many people claiming: "WOW!! You squatted 501 lbs. Thats great BUT my brother's friends, cousin can squatt double that". Lets face it, unless something is done according to the official RULES, it is NOT legitimate. By the way, I can bench press 1000 lbs with a 10 second pause at the bottom...BELIEVE THAT??? I have a bunch of friends who will attest to that. STEIN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted November 13, 2001 Author Share Posted November 13, 2001 steiner1014, We are not as part apart on our beliefs as may appear, I suspect. You are correct about feats being certified, the very thing Paul Anderson could not do with his backlift, for example. I am not up on olympic lifting currently, but years ago I recall a rule that unless a certain type judge was present at a contest then no matter if the judges who were present, and the entire audience, and all the other lifters SAW a man successfully lift a record weight, that lifter could not be certified because that one type of judge was absent. So reality was denied because the wrong eyes were absent. Hopefully this silliness will not prevent our grip pioneers from their rightful honors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest steiner1014 Posted November 13, 2001 Share Posted November 13, 2001 Roark...You are a very intelligent man. I mean, Paul Anderson has been one of my idols for many years now...unfortunately, when Anderson was doing his 1000 lb. squats, there was no such sport as powerlifting. It was indeed unfortunate that Anderson was not born later on and even though Anderson probably did squat 1000 lbs. pretty deep, unless this is verified under strict rules and stricter judges, we all must make a personal decision as to whether we believe those feats or not. That is all I am saying...I am not trying to slight the feats of legitimate grip masters out there who have indeed heard that "click" as they closed the #4 COC Gripper. But in order to go down in history as "officially" having done this feat, ONE must obide by the rules outlined by the Gripper's maker: IRONMIND. Take care Roark and good luck in all your grip feats!!! STEIN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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