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12/26/2003 Entry: "Dec 26, 2003"

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas everyone. May Peace Always Be With You And With Those You Love. We are keeping it short this week, but here are some handy references to Bob Peoples, not exhaustive notes (but I am tired�).

Born August 21, 1910, died June 19, 1992, and called by some 'History's Greatest Deadlifter". Terry Todd and Paul Anderson presented a two part recap on Peoples in the January and the February issues of Muscular Development in 1973.

Bob Hise had earlier Vol 8:1 written about Bob for Ironman, and Bob spoke for himself and his training methods in Ironman in April 1954.

Al Thomas wrote in the November 1992 Iron Game History: Bob Peoples: Deadlift Champ, Strength Theorist, Civic Leader. (the civic leader part of Bob's life had been ongoing for many years. In Lifting News Nov 1954, it was reported that in Bob's effort to become Justice of the Peace, Bob garnered 402 out of 425 possible votes!

Here are some notations from my files about Bob, who lived in Johnson City, Tennessee.

When Bob began deadlifting he could manage 350 pounds, and could press 150, snatch 150, clean and jerk 215, squat 300, bent press 125, right arm jerk 150, left arm jerk 135. All of that was as of November 1, 1935 when he was age 25.

Now some refs from Ironman as Bob progressed: Jul 1943 half squat 635, and 7 reps half squat with 600 Aug 1943 half squat 10 at 600 pounds.

Now some specific dates: Oct 21, 1943 (age 33) full squat 410, snatch without foot action, 190; total in 3 Olympic lifts 642.5 lbs

Feb 1, 1945 (age 34) squat 350 for 10 reps

Feb 2, 1945 (age 34) squat 400 x 2. alternate press with dumbbells 80 lbs, 7 reps each arm

Feb 3, 1945 (age 34) squat 400 x 3

Feb 6, 1945 (age 34) alternate dumbbells press 90s for 4 reps

Feb 7, 1945 (age 34) half squat 600 for 7 reps, alternate press 90s for 5 reps.

Feb 8, 1945 (age 34) deadlift 450 for 5, press 170 x 4, 180 x 3

Feb 10, 1945 (age 34) deadlift 500 x 3, snatch 180 x 4, press 180 x 3

Feb 11, 1945 (age 34) half squat 650 x 1, alternate press 90s x 6, jerk 230 x 4

Feb 12, 1945 (age 34) deadlift 500 x 5, press 180 x 4, snatch 180 x 4

Jul 18, 1947 (age 36)his deadlift workout, consisted of 3 reps each with: 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, and after ALL THAT he managed a personal best single with 660 lbs!

Aug 2, 1947 (age 36) deadlift 675

Aug 6, 1947 (age 36) deadlift 650, then just barely cleared the floor with 700 lbs.

Aug 14, 1947 (age 36) deadlift 600 for 7 reps

Sep 3, 1947 (age 37) deadlift 680

Oct 4, 1947 (age 37) a new world record deadlift of 700 lbs.

Mar 5, 1949 (age 38) weighing 175 lbs he deadlifted 727.50 lbs! That was 27.5 lbs more than quadruple his bodyweight!

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See you Next Year!