Roark Posted November 14, 2001 Share Posted November 14, 2001 Richard Kyle Fox died 79 years ago today. In 1890 he organized a contest for which Willoughby says the determining factor was 'strength of grip'. "Fox conceived the idea of having a weight of 1000 pounds cast, and of offering a trophy to any man who could lift it with his hands alone. A huge block-shaped weight was cast and two handles affixed to the top, the grips being about 24 inches from the ground. Upon completion, the weight, which was curiously called a 'dumbell', was found to weigh 1030 lb." Failing to lift the weight were Milo, Selig Whitman, Duncan Ross, Charles Jefferson, and Sebastian Miller. The winner was 29 year old James Walter Kennedy, and his style was to straddle the weight, grasping one handle in front, one behind, keeping the back and arms straight, and clearing the floor a couple of inches. Thus, The Kennedy Lift was born. (see Ironman, January 1957 p 29 for more details) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersqueeze Posted November 14, 2001 Share Posted November 14, 2001 Does this weight still exist ... ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted November 14, 2001 Author Share Posted November 14, 2001 supersqueeze, I wish I knew! As with so many of our sport's artifacts, locations become secret, or iron destroyed; the fate of this piece- I have no idea. I can tell you that it is probably on the first floor of whatever building it's in... Once thought of composing a list of famous old iron pieces, the Inch bells, the von Boeckman 80 lb iron Indian club etc., and appealing to whomever has these artifacts or knows of their locations to please share that info with us. Would it not be wonderful to see these artifacts as they are today, get precise measurements and photos, and post them for all to enjoy! Regarding Fox's 1,030 lb weight- wouldn't it be fun to include it as part of a World's Strongest Men competition! Perhaps deadlifting it for reps. We can rule out the one arm swing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarBender Posted November 15, 2001 Share Posted November 15, 2001 Few people appreciate how much weight can be lifted in the straddle style. Before the arrival of a suitable rack at the gym where I currently train, my goal was to break the Smith machine with progressively heavier straddle lifts. A squat rack arrived shortly and so the Smith machine was spared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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