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The Hammer CastAuthor: Aleks Salkin
A show about strength, health, fitness, learning languages, and becoming a more interesting person. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Ep. 505: "Iron Tamer" Dave Whitley on Why YOU Should Be Bent Pressing
Thursday, 16 April, 2026
Get my 9 Minute Kettlebell and Bodyweight Challenge HERE => https://www.9MinuteChallenge.com On this most glorious of episodes, Dave Whitley returns so we can talk about: Light banter about SNL host jackets and writing our cats in for president (note: in 2028, please write in Ozzy PAWSbourne, I insist) Why the Bent Press Matters Dave's role in the modern revival of the bent press Being called the "father of the modern bent press movement" Social media reactions: from high praise to harsh criticism Using the controversy as a practice in emotional balance and perspective Historical Strongmen & Bent Press Feats Arthur Saxon and legendary one-arm bent press numbers (370–400+ lbs) Comparison to modern strength standards (most people can't even deadlift that) The famous Saxon vs. Eugen Sandow rivalry and its pro-wrestling–like storyline Mention of Bill Hinbern and historical resources at Super Strength Books Reference to Sig Klein and his 1936 article on the bent press Quote and key idea: lifters' "greatest mistake" is ignoring the bent press How Fitness Culture Drifted Away from the Bent Press Shift from physical culture to bodybuilding and machine-based training Misconceptions: equating size with strength and leanness with health Fragmentation into bodybuilding, Olympic lifting, powerlifting, strongman, kettlebell sport, etc. Hope that modern training will re-integrate these strands again Modern Examples & Context Mention of Colin Lake's 60 kg (135 lb) bent press as a current benchmark Note about John Grimek bent pressing ~300 lbs well into the 20th century Discussion of how incentives and popularity shape what athletes train for (e.g., US football vs. Olympic lifting) The Get Up as a Foundational Movement Dave's view: the get up as the base for all grinding movements (especially overhead), except maybe the squat Using swings and get ups as the primary starting tools with new students Why people skip get ups (they seem complicated and "slow" vs. sexy complexes) Client anecdote: feeling better, tighter, and more integrated after only a few get-up sessions Martial Arts & Yoga Analogies Pavel's idea: the kettlebell swing as the "Sanchin kata" of strongfirst-style kettlebell training Dave's parallel: the get up as the "sun salutation" of strength work Multiple variations and progressions built on one foundational pattern How the Get Up and Bent Press Interrelate "The bent press finish is what the get up starts," if done with proper attention Finding the rack position from the get up Why you shouldn't try to clean and press if you don't yet truly "own" the rack position Seven Anchor Principles for the Bent Press (and Other Grinds) 1. Practice as the path to mastery "Practice doesn't make perfect; practice makes permanent" Importance of practicing the right pattern, not just more reps 2. Keep your eyes on the weight Head follows eyes, body follows head; looking away destabilizes the load 3. Keep the forearm vertical and wrist straight Managing the combined center of mass with heavier bells 4. Build a structural column of support Stack joints and bones under the load rather than muscling everything Column shifts as you descend into the bent press 5. Pack the shoulder Depress and retract the scapula; "shorten the X" from shoulder to opposite glute 6. Give the free hand a job Beginner positions: Free hand to opposite knee with elbow on same-side knee More advanced: free forearm on same-side thigh, hand near chest Using the free hand on the thigh to help stand with very heavy weights 7. Make it look natural and easy A key compliment: "You made it look easy" Aim for smooth, elegant execution (e.g., like high-level pull-ups or handstand pushups) The "Circus Trick" Critique Critics calling the bent press a mere "circus trick" Dave's rebuttal: circus arts require real strength and skill Observation that dismissiveness often comes from people who can't do the lift How to Learn More from Dave Social media: Instagram: @irontamer TikTok: @irontamer Facebook: Dave Whitley Websites: OldTimeStrongmanUniversity.com for coaching and education IronTamer.com for speaking/performing background Mention of Dave's book "Taming the Bent Press" Free PDF on the seven anchor principles available via contacting Dave Belfest Event Info Dave presenting at Bellfest in Austin, Texas (weekend of April 15th recording) Co-taught/linked sessions with Peter Neimand on the bent press and get up Mention of tandem bent press videos showing different body types moving efficiently Discount code: DAVE30 for 30% off Belfest registration Aleks' tongue-in-cheek suggestion to use your tax return to attend Bellfest
