Episode
Ep. 505: "Iron Tamer" Dave Whitley on Why YOU Should Be Bent Pressing
- Podcast
- The Hammer Cast
- Published
- Apr 16, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2250
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
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 (esp…