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majutsu
Well-known member
Actually, I did a little squat research. Lifting (Olympic) took off in the mid-1800s in Germany. First they started with odd objects and moved on to dumbells and barbells. The first lifts were Olympic lifts, which were solidified in the Olympic games in 1896. The powerlifts came later, bench, squat, deadlift and curl. They were experimented with it would seem sometime from 1920-1950. But squat racks, benches with racks, etc were not really widely available till the 60s. So pretty much all these guys never did a squat. The snatch involves a front squat movement, but the poundage is really limited by the other parts of the lift. They probably did step-ups, lunges, and snatches . . .
Here is a little summary online of exercise history and lifting:
"With the advent of the modern Olympic Games in 1896 however, with it's strict rules and properly qualified officials the sport of weight-lifting took on respectability and is probably as popular now throughout the World as any of the other Olympic sports.
The principle off-shoot of weight-lifting is modern Powerlifting. It is very difficult to discover exactly how, when or why it all started or who was behind it... probably by men who had tremendous strength but no desire or ability to perform on the Olympic lifts yet nevertheless wanted to compete on equal terms with other lifters. The lifts themselves were basic body building movements selected to demonstrate a man's strength to his best advantage. These were: the 2 hand curl, the bench press and the squat chosen by the British Association and formed into a set for competition.
Strength lifting was still in its infancy, however, the first big breakthrough came in 1966 when the lifts were changed by dropping the two hand curl and making the squat the first lift followed by the bench press and adding the deadlift as the finale.
The first World Championships were not officially recognized until 1973 when the International Powerlifting Federation was formed, although two International Championships took place in the USA in 1971 & 72. In 1977 came the formation of the European Powerlifting federation and since 1979 women have competed at all levels.
Coaches in other sports are already beginning to understand the value of Powerlifting and one thing is certain, the sport of Powerlifting is going to grow until it is as popular as some Olympic sports."
Here is a little summary online of exercise history and lifting:
"With the advent of the modern Olympic Games in 1896 however, with it's strict rules and properly qualified officials the sport of weight-lifting took on respectability and is probably as popular now throughout the World as any of the other Olympic sports.
The principle off-shoot of weight-lifting is modern Powerlifting. It is very difficult to discover exactly how, when or why it all started or who was behind it... probably by men who had tremendous strength but no desire or ability to perform on the Olympic lifts yet nevertheless wanted to compete on equal terms with other lifters. The lifts themselves were basic body building movements selected to demonstrate a man's strength to his best advantage. These were: the 2 hand curl, the bench press and the squat chosen by the British Association and formed into a set for competition.
Strength lifting was still in its infancy, however, the first big breakthrough came in 1966 when the lifts were changed by dropping the two hand curl and making the squat the first lift followed by the bench press and adding the deadlift as the finale.
The first World Championships were not officially recognized until 1973 when the International Powerlifting Federation was formed, although two International Championships took place in the USA in 1971 & 72. In 1977 came the formation of the European Powerlifting federation and since 1979 women have competed at all levels.
Coaches in other sports are already beginning to understand the value of Powerlifting and one thing is certain, the sport of Powerlifting is going to grow until it is as popular as some Olympic sports."
hehe
