One of my all time favourite lifters of any era is the amazing
Marvin Eder. For those of you who don't know about Marvin here's a
brief bio from the great physical culture writer David Gentle.
"For decades recognized as one of the most powerful bodybuilders of all time
MARVIN EDER a star of the 1950's and pre steroid era, used poundages in basic
exercises and trained with an intensity that few even of today's over
supplemented or drug assisted bodybuilders, complete with well padded lifting
suits can approach, let alone excel. Examples will follow, but consider for now
the power of being able to side press single-handed more than your own
bodyweight (220lbs at 200lbs b/w) or complete 8 wide grip chins with an extra
200lbs attached ….a real 'lat' stretcher.
Although
I was well accustomed to seeing and reading of the ‘Biceps from the
Bronx' Marvin Eder in my early training days, it was to be 45 years or
later before I actually met him in person in London, at an earlier OHF
awards, yet he still radiated keenness and sustained a high interest in
bodybuilding and lifting although he was unhappy with the abuse and
misuse of steroids. 'Marvin always trained 'naturally' and of course it
is a lot tougher than using chemical aids to energize and assist rapid
recovery. Natural recuperation takes longer, when your own individual
body physiology is ready, but it also builds life long vitality, rather
than short term stimulation. Delighted to meet him after such a long
time of admiring him from afar, the very first question I asked Marvin,
aware of his awesome prowess and power, was
"Where the hell did you get your energy from?", and he replied
casually,
"Just natural I guess. I was full of energy, often trained several
times daily' (note we do not recommend other bodybuilders, especially
newcomers, attempt to follow his example, Eder was unique).
Although being pictured in many muscle journals of his era,
Marvin Eder featured most often and prominently in Joe Weider's 'YOUR
PHYSIQUE' and 'MUSCLE POWER' magazines of the late 1940's and early
50's displaying phenomenal power, being one of the first to bench press close to
500lbs at under 200lbs bodyweight. A terrifically strong Olympic presser, i.e.
the two hands MILITARY press, his supposedly 'professional' status denied him
the opportunity to compete in the USA OLYMPIC team or the AAU Mr. America, both
being the losers, as Eder would undoubtedly have won many other top titles in
bodybuilding and the Olympic games for America if given the chance.
Earle Liederman, famed 'Muscle By Mail' merchant and
author of note said of Marvin on seeing him for first time: 'Under the lights, I
particularly observed Marvin's arms which performed a most unusual biceps
contraction. His biceps would become fully flexed and remain in that state for a
moment, and then with a faint forearm movement, the same biceps took on another
contraction so that the belly of the muscle seemed to roll, or creep, towards
his deltoid. He did this with either arm. This cannot be fully explained, nor
appreciated with words, and must be seen for better wonderment. Anyway you can
imagine seeing an 18-inch arm, such as he owns, become bent and then firmly
flexed so that the huge baseball size biceps knots up into exceptional height.
Right there you become satisfied and your hands applaud, yet right before your
eyes, and when you feel that no greater contraction could be made with such a
biceps, this same biceps begins to move, starting from the highest point, which
apparently separates itself from the mass, to creep inwardly toward the
shoulder, thereby causing the biceps to become even larger, though not any
higher.”
That should have wet your appetite whether you know about Marvin or not. To read more click HERE
Even today there are few men of any weight that could live with Marvin's lifts. Here's a run down from the Osmo Kiiha's excellent 'The Iron Master' (December 1993).
Clean and Press - 355lbs
Snatch - 285lbs
Clean and Jerk - 345lbs
Clean - 365lbs
Squat - 665lbs (not a max effort)
Bench Press - 515lbs
Floor Press - 530lbs
Dips - 434lbs (with two men hanging from his legs, see picture below)
Dips - 400x7
Chins - 250lbsx1
Strict Curl - 210lbs
DB C and Press - 120lbs for reps
Crucifix - 100lbs Db's
Pullover SA - 210lbs
Remember Marvin always weighed around 200lbs and this was back in the 1950's!
I would be overjoyed with those lifts wouldn't you?
Marvin was never able to fulfill his true competitive talents due to being declared a professional (You'll need to read the full article for that story) but I wanted to show you what can be done by the genetically gifted with the right attitude.
Nick
In shape or what?
Marvin, with his never beaten by anyone, 434lb dip!