STRONGMAN CHRIS RIDER

Announcement

2010-10-31T11:28:00.002-04:00

Hello, As you can see by the posting dates I have not been very active on this Blog account. I would like to let you know that I have been directing my efforts to my other websites and invite you to visit them.

http://www.strongmanchrisrider.com

http://www.handbentdesigns.com

Check back with these sites regularly as I have a lot of new content being added as well as a shopping cart featuring strongman souvineers such as adjustable wrench pen holders, horseshoes twisted into hearts, T-shirts, and my limited edition series of framed and un-framed prints that feature my steel bar sculptures to name a few. I am also working on several DVD projects, some of which are in collaboration with Dennis Rogers and 88 Pound Productions.

If you have any questions for me or would like to schedule an appearance, performance, or personal / group coaching session in regards to Oldetime Strongman direct your email to chris@strongmanchrisrider.com .

Thank you and best regards,
Chris

Triple Notch

2010-01-28T22:10:00.004-05:00

Progression is the key to unlocking the door to success. This is a 1-3/4" thick phone book.

Notching

2010-01-22T17:48:00.002-05:00

Having fun tearing phone books in all sorts of ways. Here is a 1-3/4" thick book with two notches in the top and one in the bottom.

Horseshoe Fish

2010-01-14T19:26:00.000-05:00

Another one of my designs.

Joe's Passing In The News

2010-01-12T16:34:00.002-05:00

A few articles I found about "The Great" Joe Rollino's passing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/nyregion/12ironman.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/01/11/2010-01-11_famed_coney_island_strongman_.html

http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/01/12/the-great-joe-rollino-dies-at-104/#comments

Remembering A Legend

2010-01-11T20:43:00.004-05:00

I received a call earlier today to let me know that "The Great" Joe Rollino has passed. I feel fortunate to have known Joe, and to have heard his incredible stories. He will be missed. Joe was 104 years old.

Tearin' 'Em Up

2009-12-26T21:34:00.003-05:00

I have been enjoying tearing all sorts of phone books from around the world, and thought I'd share a few of them here. This video opens up with me doing a "Grip-n-Rip" style tear ,Ala Dennis Rogers, LEFT handed. As one of my favorite movie quotes mentions, "no, I'm not left handed". LOL! After that is a series of right handed "G-n-R" tears with books from around the States and the world. Notice the clean, straight tear line in the book - a sign of legitimacy in tearing phone books.

Sometimes They Break

2009-12-11T17:48:00.006-05:00

I've bent quite a number of this particular brand and style of hammer and they had all bent really nice...until this one.

Quartering A License Plate

2009-12-04T21:23:00.002-05:00

Quartering a license plate the hard way.

More Phonebook Fun

2009-11-13T12:23:00.003-05:00

A double tear on a 2-1/2" thick x 7" wide yellow pages.

Powerful Message

2009-10-30T21:50:00.004-04:00

"Against the grain should be a way of life. What's worth the prize is always worth the fight." Powerful message right there, thanks Nickleback.

StrongMan Monogram

2009-10-24T19:56:00.005-04:00

A pair of 1/2" x 23" hex bolts.

From A Filming Session

2009-09-29T09:34:00.003-04:00

Here are a few of the feats I performed for a recent filming session in North Carolina with "Pound for pound the worlds strongest man" Dennis Rogers and Aaron "Mighty Mac" McKenzie.

The bolt on the left is 3/8" thick by 7-1/2" long and I bent this in a manner known as unbraced. Basically what this means is that the piece is bent only by the hands - no bracing on the legs or other objects.

The bolt on the right is 3/8" thick by 11" long and this time I performed what is known as braced bending where I pushed the bolt down over my thigh and then supported my wrists with my legs to do the final crush on the now "S" bolt with my hands.

In the center is a pair, yes a PAIR of #2 horseshoes. I duct taped them together and bent them with my hands while the shoes were braced against my leg. Once the two shoes were taped together they measured 5/8" wide by 5/8" thick. That was a fun bend for sure.

When the video footage of these bends is made available I'll post an update for where they can be seen.

Chris Rider, Dennis Rogers, and The Mighty Mac

2009-09-29T09:13:00.007-04:00

Being a performing strongman I get to travel all over demonstrating my feats. This past weekend I went to North Carolina for a show with my mentor Dennis Rogers. While there we met up fellow strongman Aaron "Mighty Mac" McKenzie. After the show was over we went back to Mac's house to do some strength feat filming, I'll post a few of the things I did there in the next update.

I did want to mention for those who aren't familiar with Mac one of the many things he did. I had found some really nasty decks of Bicycle brand playing cards - actually they were the hardest "Bike's" I've ever come across. Well, I handed a deck to Mighty Mac and told him what they were and in no time at all he handed them back not only torn in half but torn into quarters. Dennis had named him the world's best card tearer last year and I fully agree! Great job my friend!

A Signature Feat Of Strength

2009-09-21T22:07:00.002-04:00

Here I am performing one of my signature feats of strength at the 2009 A.O.B.S. strongman reunion. Barehanded bending a solid steel framing hammer into a “S” shape after the formal festivities were over. Commentary by “Stanless Steel”. Thanks for the video Dan Cenidoza.

"S"ocket Extension

2009-09-04T11:48:00.003-04:00

Not too long ago I performed for my brothers 40th birthday party. Among the many items that I used in my demonstration was a socket extension bar. After the show we were talking about the different feats I had performed and my brother said how he thought one of those extensions would look really crazy in an "S" shape. Of course I agreed, and here's the result. What do you think Craig?

Something New

2009-08-25T10:14:00.004-04:00

While out shopping yesterday I came across these 4" adjustable wrenches. Immediately I thought "that would look cool bent", so of course I had to get one. Notice how the wrench bent right on the end, that makes a lot more difficult when they do that.

Nasty Handful

2009-08-18T16:13:00.005-04:00

These books are 2-1/4" thick while measuring only 5-7/8" across. They are a nasty handful to tear in half. Really fun books, thanks again Joy!

CHI USA Grand Opening

2009-08-01T20:13:00.004-04:00

Thursday I was in Houston Texas performing with my mentor Dennis Rogers for the grand opening event at CHI USA. In this photo Dennis and I are standing with Farouk Shami, Founder and Executive Chairman of Farouk Systems, Inc.

It was great performing for the thousands in attendance at this special event. Thank you Dennis, John, and Farouk!

For The Scouts

2009-07-27T00:47:00.003-04:00

Here I am getting ready to roll up a frying pan for the scouts at day camp.

F-911 Bolt

2009-07-21T17:14:00.002-04:00

The following information is directly from the manufacturer of these bolts.

"In the past, 8640 alloy was used in the manufacturing of only the most critical Aerospace and other special High Strength requirements. Now everyone can have this Superior Quality and Strength, with the "Off The Shelf" F-911 Hex Cap Screws and at prices comparable to other so called "Grade 9" bolts. What does 8640 Alloy offer? For starters, up to 50% more Chromium content and the substantial addition of Nickel, the ingredient that makes this Alloy tough. With higher Rockwell Hardness that the F-911 specification requires to achieve an over 190,000 P.S.I. Tensile Strength average, only 8640 Alloy can reach these lofty goals with superiority."

They are most definitely, in my opinion, an extremely high quality and high strength piece of hardware - fun bend!

Nasty Little Phonebook

2009-07-19T23:33:00.003-04:00

This book was particularly nasty to tear due to it being 2-1/4" thick and only 5-7/8" wide. I only had room for a couple of fingers of each hand on this book. That was a fun one!

3/8" x 7.5" Bolt "Short Bend"

2009-07-16T00:19:00.002-04:00

I've been posting pictures of some of the bolts I've been bending lately and thought I'd put up a video to go with them. Here I am bending a 3/8" x 7.5" bolt with an overhand grip.

Fish Hook Bend

2009-07-13T21:01:00.004-04:00

I've been having a lot of fun lately bending all sorts of different sizes and styles of bolts. Shown here is one that I bent a few minutes ago into the shape of a fish hook. The 1/2" x 18" hex head bolt is pictured with a 60 d (1/4" x 6") spike for comparison. Another nasty one for my collection.

A Few More Bolts

2009-07-07T20:45:00.003-04:00

I stopped back in to visit my new friends at the hardware store and decided to wrap up a few more pieces and "have at it".

This assortment consists of 3/8" x 12" / 3/8 x 7.5" / 5/16" x 6" / 5/16" x 5.5" - all were bent unbraced at chest level with the exception of the 3/8" x 12" bolt.

Some Assorted Hardware

2009-07-02T16:50:00.003-04:00

Earlier today I stopped in at a hardware store to follow up on some bolts they were locating for me. Among the things that I found there were these very strong F-911 Bolts, one is shown on the right side of the picture. I'll post more on that particular piece later. Also pictured are a 60 d that I crossed the ends on, a 1/4" hex bolt I bent into an "S", a 3/8" hex bolt as well as a big 1/2" thick bolt. Fun stuff for sure!

On Stage The Main Stage

2009-06-23T12:37:00.006-04:00

On June 13, 2009 I was given a great honor of preforming on the main stage of the Association Of Oldetime Barbell And Strongmen's 26 Th reunion in Newark, New Jersey. This photo, taken by John Corlett, was captured just after I bent a 12" heavy duty adjustable wrench into a "U" shape as my opening feat.

A Message by George Carlin

2009-06-17T11:26:00.003-04:00

This morning I received the following message in an email and thought I would share it with you all.

"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, ' I love you ' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares?"

- George Carlin

A.O.B.S. 2009

2009-06-15T16:56:00.004-04:00

This past weekend the Association of Oldetime Barbell and Strongmen held it's 26Th reunion in Newark, New Jersey. This weekend had marked my third reunion, however this one was more special to me. After successfully attempting my first oldetime strength feat at the request of a friend in October of 2006, then seriously pursuing the training of the oldetime strongmen beginning in March of 2007, I'm still a bit of the "new guy" in this strength circle. Even with my relative newness into this arena, I was given a great honor - Performing on the main stage of the A.O.B.S. reunion! In the picture you can see the 12" heavy duty adjustable wrench I bent during my dinner performance for the 250 + in attendance, many being legends of the Iron game.

As is customary for the performing strongmen at this event, we get together in the lobby of the hotel after the formal festivities are over and we really let loose out there. In the picture is also a #3 polished steel horseshoe that I bent across the throat of Mike "The Machine" Bruce, and a 24 oz. framing hammer I bent into an "S" shape by hand.

I am very fortunate to have shared the same stage as some of the greatest strongmen of all time! For all the performers at this years event, you all did an outstanding job of showing the attendees what being a performing strongman is all about!

This just further shows that if you believe in yourself and apply all you have to your talents, anything is possible! As my friend Aaron "Mighty Mac" McKenzie likes to quote - "keep moving forward".

Special thanks to Artie Drechsler, The Legend - Slim "The Hammerman" Farman, and my mentor Dennis Rogers "pound for pound the world's strongest man" for giving me the opportunity to share in this tradition and to be a part of the legacy that is the A.O.B.S.!

Sometimes They Break

2009-06-02T05:57:00.003-04:00

Things don't always go quite as planned. Take this pipe wrench for example, normally they will bend nicely and cooperate. Sometimes, however, the steel likes to fight back and make things more difficult. This particular wrench had been tempered a little more than normal and it barely bent before it broke in two.

Just like in anything, when you find yourself in a situation that isn't going how you anticipated or is harder than expected, set your head and dig down a little deeper. You might not end up where you thought you would, but isn't the journey as important as the destination?

Notch in the Crown's

2009-05-27T13:16:00.007-04:00

Thought I'd tear a thumb sized notch out of the side of a deck of tough and nasty Gold Crown cards. Now that's fun!

Earlier today I came across a person who was at my performance on Saturday. She was very complimentary of my show and had a question for me. "How can you do the things you do?".

I told her the same thing I tell everyone, I believe I can. One of my favorite quotes is this, "whether you think you can or you think you can't - you're right". I'm not sure who said that but they nailed it!

Hello Mr. Kennedy.

2009-05-12T09:04:00.004-04:00

Everywhere I went in Ireland I was surrounded by history. This is a memorial to JFK, whose great grandfather left Ireland to become a cooper in East Boston.

Well Said, Sir.

2009-05-11T19:01:00.002-04:00

Ireland Post 2

2009-05-07T08:28:00.004-04:00

Taking a few moments for some quiet reflection. Times like these are one of the keys to my success.

What a view, you can see the sea on the horizon about twenty miles out.

Ireland Post 1

2009-05-06T06:45:00.003-04:00

I just returned from a series of performances in Ireland. Aside from the formal demonstrations and motivational talks I went there to deliver, I also did a bit of impromptu feats around the country.

After hiking up 1,500 feet and breaking for lunch, I thought this would be a good place to do a traditional feat of strength. With a 1,300 foot vertical rise in the background, I wrap up a 60 D spike (1/4" x 6") in only a thin bandanna and bend it around my index fingers.

Be sure to check back for more from this incredible voyage.

Sheared

2009-04-22T10:00:00.003-04:00

Another way I like to tear phonebooks is with a shearing motion.

Interesting Spike

2009-04-18T20:01:00.003-04:00

I'm always on the look out for new and different items for use in my training and shows. This spike fits right into that. It's made from a piece of 15-1/4" long 1/2" thick rebar. But it gets better, this isn't regular "run of the mill" rebar. This metal has a gray tone to it and felt much tougher than what you might find at a home improvement store at the same length. Plus it is very sharp, check out that chisel point. Ouch!

CR-V Socket Extension

2009-04-16T23:29:00.006-04:00

This evening I went to a tool distributors store and was checking out all sorts of different items. While walking down one of the isles I spotted these extension bars for sockets. The one pictured (shown with an 8" adjustable wrench for scale) is labeled as CR-V steel and is just shy of 1/2" diameter by 17-5/8" long. That thing was nasty.

1,664 Pages

2009-04-08T22:36:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I received a call inquiring if I was interested in some 2" thick directories. ABSOLUTELY! These books are fun!

A Piece Of History

2009-04-05T20:44:00.006-04:00

Yesterday I visited with a friend of mine, artist and strongman Tom Hermansader. Tom's father was also an artist, in fact his father painted a famous portrait of the Mighty Atom. It is always great to hear more first hand accounts of the Atom from those who knew him. Tom shared some great old stories and showed me a few pieces bent by Atom from his personal collection. In the photo is a very stout looking horseshoe that the Atom bent with his teeth! That's right, with his TEETH!

Memorable Weekend

2009-03-31T00:08:00.004-04:00

This past weekend is one that will be in my memory for quite some time. A great friend of mine and fellow Oldetime Strongman, Aaron "Mighty Mac" McKenzie, came up from North Carolina for a visit. Friday we had made our way to the training facility named "The Dungeon" of Slim The Hammerman Farman. It's a special honour anytime you get to visit with someone you greatly admire and to be mentored to by them. Every time I visit with the "old man" (Slim turns 75 this year and still routinely performs feats of strength that no one has been able to duplicate) I come away with a deeper understanding of what it is to truly be an Oldetime Strongman. Thanks Slim.

After performing for and visiting with The Hammerman till the we hours of the morning, Mac and I made our way to Dan Cenidoza's get together in Baltimore MD on Saturday afternoon. There we got to witness some incredible feats of strength. Jedd Johnson came down from upstate PA with John Eaton from NY, John Manino came down from eastern PA, as well as Luke Whippo also from Baltimore. Every one was doing what they do and we had a great time. Thanks Dan for putting this together, looking forward to the next time we can all meet up again.

Shreaded

2009-03-13T21:30:00.005-04:00

Earlier this week I was very fortunate to have a large quantity of new phonebooks given to me. As you can imagine I have been like a kid at Christmas with these, ha-ha. The first evening alone I went through ten of these books, just having some fun. Today, as part of my workout, I decided to do a quad vertical tear. I just kept ripping a piece off the book in between sets of my other exercises. Before I knew it, I ended up with five strips of this 1-5/8" thick Baltimore phonebook. Thanks Rena!

Another Day At The Office

2009-03-06T23:35:00.004-05:00

While working on the computer tonight I looked over and saw my camera and some mini decks of cards. I thought to myself - Hmm, I haven't videoed a mini notch yet. So I grabbed a deck and hit record while sitting at my desk.

I've been doing a lot of deck notching lately with both the full sized and mini decks. Like I mentioned in the previous post, it keeps it interesting...

Keeping It Interesting

2009-03-06T17:14:00.004-05:00

I like to bend all sorts of different sizes and styles of horseshoes. I also like to bend them into many different designs to keep things interesting. For the most part in performance I'll stick with flattening them out into an "S" shape or crushing them into the "Paperclip", but when I'm just having fun "doing what I do" I like to mix things up now and then. Same goes for training, diet, reading material, etc. Don't fall into a stale boring routine, mix it up every so often and renew your enthusiasm.

Pipe Wrenches

2009-02-28T21:10:00.002-05:00

Having some fun with a pair of pipe wrenches. Those "end benders" are nasty.

Leverage Lifting

2009-02-24T12:39:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I had a photo shoot and performed a wide array of feats for several hours. Some of which were closing heavy duty grippers, double hub lifting, all sorts of tearing feats and lots of steel bending. Along with the still shots, I also had these feats captured on video. I ended up getting some great footage of the chain break with my hair, bending a framing hammer into an "S" shape, bending a 12" adjustable wrench, and "paper-clipping" a 3/8" x 1" #5 steel draft horseshoe to name just a few.

After all these other feats were performed, I grabbed my big show hammer and headed outside. Performing the hammer lever is a great all around workout for the hands, wrists, and arms. If your not doing these in your training routine your missing out on a great exercise.

Screwdriver Scrolling

2009-02-17T21:19:00.004-05:00

I thoroughly enjoy scrolling steel. The bends are complex, and they work the fingers and hands in different ways. Plus, once you're finished you have a one of a kind work of art.

Mini Notch

2009-02-03T22:30:00.003-05:00

More fun with the mini decks.

Vertical Tears

2009-02-02T21:59:00.003-05:00

While working at the computer tonight I thought I'd have some fun with cards. Shown are a full sized deck and a mini deck of plastic coated playing cards torn vertically. They were lots of fun to do.

Double Hub Lifting

2009-02-01T19:03:00.003-05:00

A few months back I had made a post about hub lifting. Along with that, I included a video clip of myself performing the lift. This has become a regular part of my training routine and the last few days I have been thinking about attempting the double hub lift. Since today happened to be the first "nice" day weather wise in a while, reaching the low 50's, I decided to head out to the driveway and "give it a go". First attempt flew right up with no trouble at all. I grabbed the camera and here is the second attempt.

Goes to show what dedication can achieve.

Different Bicycles

2009-01-24T17:21:00.005-05:00

I mentioned in a previous post that I like tear a deck of every brand, type, and style of plastic coated playing cards I come across. Today I added another deck to my collection.

Performing

2009-01-19T21:10:00.003-05:00

Here are a few video clips from a performance I gave this morning. Some of the other feats I performed while there were tearing phone books, tearing decks of cards - tore a deck hand cuffed as well, bent a horseshoe, and broke chain with my HAIR. The video was rolling and we captured this crazy #8 break, I ended up breaking a total of 27 links on this one! Stay tuned, this one will be on my upcoming DVD release - it's almost complete and you won't want to miss it!

260 Card Pick Up

2009-01-17T23:35:00.005-05:00

Tonight turned into quite a productive card tearing session. After going through several other decks of cards, I finished by tearing this deck of playing cards into 5 pieces before calling it a night.

Drywall Hammer

2009-01-11T20:48:00.006-05:00

Sunday afternoon fun, that blade was nasty.

Double Corner Tear

2009-01-10T01:32:00.003-05:00

After I tore a full deck of cards the first time I attempted it, I have constantly looked for ways to make this feat more difficult. To add new goals, new challenges to the things I have already succeeded with. With the cards for example, I have quartered horizontally, notched, eighths, double vertically torn, and of course the double corner tear. I have wrapped them in duct tape, torn in the box, duct taped in the box, worn oven mitts, behind the back, hand cuffed, etc.,etc.,etc.

I am not mentioning these things to be boastful, what I'm getting at here is don't be satisfied and grow stagnant, every time you reach a goal add to it and go after the next one with commitment and passion. Over time you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish! Enjoy your journey.

Happy New Years!

2009-01-01T01:17:00.003-05:00

I wanted to bring 2009 in with a "BANG"! I knew this wrench would break, however it gave me a little surprise...

New Years Eve Tearing

2008-12-31T23:54:00.001-05:00

For the last workout of 2008, New Year's Eve, I thought I would tear 9 phonebooks to celebrate the coming of '09! Get ready everyone, BIG things are coming for the new year!

3/8" x 12" "S"pike

2008-12-28T13:35:00.000-05:00

Last week I posted a 6" spike that I had bent into an "S" design. Early this morning I decided to attempt this style of bend with a 3/8" thick by 12" long steel spike as well. Shown in the photo is the 6" spike and a U.S. quarter for scale along with the 12"er.

The year is almost complete. There is not much left of 2008. Did you make this past year a productive one? Are you ready for the challenge of improving yourself in 2009? As great a year as it has been for me, I'm looking forward to conquering new challenges and advancing all the more in the coming 12 months. Now is the time to make that commitment to yourself!

Visiting Santa

2008-12-23T17:43:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I thought I had better go see the jolly guy and let him know what's on my "wish list". What else, big shiny horseshoes - LOL!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

"S"pike Bending

2008-12-21T16:04:00.000-05:00

My good friend and fellow strongman John McGrath sent me a few spikes recently and said "Can't wait to see what you do to them". I had thought about that for a little while and wanted to do something special for my friend. I decided that since I'm known for bending assorted items into an "S" shape like hammers and adjustable wrenches, why not a six inch spike? Here is the result, what do you think John?

Tragic...

2008-12-20T20:51:00.000-05:00

The Joker had seen me coming, then he met a "tragic" end.

#4 Horseshoe Double Twisted

2008-12-06T19:36:00.000-05:00

Here is a video post at the request of a private collector. What I have is a 1/4" x 3/4" # 4 polished steel horseshoe that I am bending into a double twisted "S".

This is just a "teaser" sample of what I have been filming for my upcoming first DVD release. Be sure to watch for it as filming is almost complete, I have some BIG feats on this project! You won't want to miss it!

Six Vertical Strips

2008-12-05T02:27:00.000-05:00

I've been tearing a lot more phone books lately and tonight turned into a great workout. After my leg training routine I decided to do some tearing. The first book I grabbed ended up in four vertical strips. This went extremely well and I decided to see what I could get done in another book. After a few minutes the second book was in six vertical pieces.

Double Twist "Paperclip"

2008-12-02T21:37:00.000-05:00

I was feeling good today and decided to have some fun with a horseshoe. I bent this solid steel horseshoe around two complete times before finishing it off with my signature "paperclip" move.

Bending A Big Bolt

2008-11-29T20:27:00.000-05:00

As a traditional strongman, steel bending is one of the main things I do. In this clip I am transforming a 1/2" thick by 18" long, solid steel hex bolt into a "U" shape during a recent performance.

45 # Hub Lifting

2008-11-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

About two years ago when I first started researching feats of strength, I read about these guys who could lift a 45 pound Olympic weight plate by the center hub. I thought that sounded like something I would like to attempt at some point. However training with all the other feats that I perform, this was put on the back burner so to speak. Recently I acquired some old school 45's that are similar to the ones the old timers would lift by the hub. After only having these plates in my possession for a few weeks, I am hub lifting these with each hand individually.

I believe that my training from the other feats I perform has carried over quite well into this specific exercise. Training is not one dimensional. When you dedicate yourself to improvement, all areas of your life should reap the rewards. Did you make an effort to better yourself today?

Being Unique In My Feats

2008-11-22T20:20:00.000-05:00

This is something that I had thought about doing since I first started performing strength feats. I would ponder to myself, how cool would it be to bend/break a C-clamp?! A tool that is designed to hold other objects down under serious pressure. I don't know, I just think like that. I figured that since I can bend those big nasty draft shoes, why not. Plus I have never heard of anyone else ever attempting this.

This is one of those feats however, that I would strongly caution everyone against due to an extremely high danger of serious injury. When this clamp let loose, the sharp, jagged, broken edge actually sliced through the top of my pants and cut my leg. Not exactly a pleasant experience.

Are you stuck in a rut doing the same old thing? What things could you accomplish by thinking outside the box?

Tear 'Em All

2008-11-21T21:01:00.000-05:00

While out doing some shopping I happened upon a pack of cards I had not previously seen. They had been labeled as "PRO", and as I really enjoy tearing a deck of every brand and style I come across, I had to get them. These were much stronger than the regular decks of the same brand, which are probably the most widely recognized deck of cards around. However they didn't have a chance...

Certified

2008-11-17T20:11:00.000-05:00

IronMind has announced my certification, check it out!

http://www.ironmind.com/ironcms/morenewsv6.php?id=2765#2765

Made It Official

2008-11-09T10:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I travelled to Baltimore, Maryland, the location of Dan Cenidoza's Be-More Training facility. Dan was selected by Iron Mind Enterprises to be my witness / judge for my Red Nail certification attempt.

The Red Nail is one of the challenge based certifications offered by Iron Mind. Completion of this, under official conditions while adhering to a strict set of rules, will enable one to be added to a list of world class short steel benders. The Red Nail is a 5/16" thick by 7" long piece of cold rolled steel bar. The hands are protected with minimal padding, only a pair of Iron Minds pads which do NOT add additional leverage to the bar. Then, while using only the hands to contact the bar, it must be bent, un-braced, into a "U" shape in under 1 minute.

Becoming certified on the Red has been a goal of mine since I started a little over a year and a half ago. With hard work, determination, and perseverance - goals can be achieved. What training goals do you have? Are you willing to do what it takes to make them happen?

Hair Lifting

2008-11-07T19:12:00.000-05:00

In the last post I mentioned some "intense lifting". Here it is. In the video above I have a loading pin and weights totaling 300 pounds. The apparatus is then connected to my hair via industrial steel cable and pad locked in place. Then I stand up with all the weight being focused on my scalp.

In case your wondering, yeah - it hurts!

Hair Feats

2008-11-07T00:05:00.000-05:00

Inspired by "The Mighty Atom", I have been performing feats of strength involving my hair. I have lifted various objects, broken heavy steel chain, bent forged steel adjustable wrenches, bent steel bars, bent horseshoes, etc., while the item was attached to my hair. Feats of this nature require not only strong healthy hair and scalp, but also a very strong neck to handle the extreme stresses.

While we're on the subject of a strong neck, check out my friend Mike "The Machine" Bruce's instructional DVD on how to transform a "pencil neck" into a "pillar of power". http://dennisrogers.net/productview.php?uid=39

In the picture above there are a couple of full size horseshoes I bent with my hair this week at the end of a training session. These were the "cool down" as it were after some intense lifting. More on that coming soon...

Perspective

2008-10-23T23:21:00.000-04:00

One of the things I really enjoy about doing scroll work is the diversity of every sculpture. Take this one for example. It began as three 20' lengths of straight, flat steel bar. Over the course of several hours I twisted, coiled, and bent the steel together into the form now seen.

Now lets take a look from a different angle. Looks completely different doesn't it? By slightly changing the way we look at things, a whole new vision is created. From a mass of twisted steel, to an abstract, yet more recognizable figure.

Now, how do you look at things? Are you seeing only the surface or forming your view from only one angle and ignoring the potential that is truly there? What could you accomplish with a slight shift in your outlook? What goals would move within reach from a small change in perspective? It can mean the difference between being stuck in the same old rut and achieving true happiness and success.

Grip It And Rip It

2008-10-18T18:15:00.000-04:00

One of the first things I am usually asked after someone learns I am a professional strongman is "can you tear a phonebook?". Yes, I can. Inevitably, the second question is "what's the trick?". My response? I am a strongman NOT a magician. If you are interested in viewing tricks and illusions, you are talking to the wrong Chris.

Now, if your interested in REAL feats of strength performed by a proven professional strongman, your in the right place. As you can see in the video, I just grab the book, squeeze tight, and pull. No fancy technique, no dried out books. It's just like my Mentor says, you just "grip it and rip it".

Pay Pal Now Available

2008-10-14T09:11:00.000-04:00

For those interested in making purchases, Pay Pal has now been added for your convenience. Thank you for your business!

New T-Shirts Are Available NOW!

2008-10-06T22:34:00.000-04:00

They are here, in stock and ready to ship! Pre-shrunk, 100% cotton screen printed T's with full size front and back designs!

This two color design features a white "tribal" pattern overlayed in metallic silver with some of the implements I have become known for destroying - framing hammer, 12" spike, 12" adjustable wrench, and of course the # 5 draft horseshoe.

The front of the shirt features these items in the before stage, and on the back - AFTER...including my signature "S" hammer!

Show your love for the oldetime feats in this unique printed shirt. Sizes from Large through XXX-Large. $20.00 U.S. plus $5.00 U.S. shipping to the Continental United States via first class insured mail. Combined shipping on multiple orders available as well as international shipping quotes per request. At this time I am accepting postal money orders and Pay pal.

X-LARGE

XX-LARGE

XXX-LARGE

He Broke A What?

2008-10-06T15:51:00.000-04:00

This morning I performed for a local community center. The crowd was great and we had a lot of fun. My presentation was a combination of the feats of olde such as horseshoe bending and even breaking a shoe, as well as some modern classics - which included wrench bending and pan rolling. I would like to say thank you to Deb for scheduling my appearance.

Are you looking for entertainment that your guests will never forget? If so, you can contact me at chris@strongmanchrisrider.com to schedule an appearance and witness first hand the art of the oldetime strongmen.

The Mark Of...

2008-09-27T20:45:00.000-04:00

For some reason today, I was remembering watching the television show "Zorro" as a kid. Zorro would go around leaving his "mark" on nearly everything he came across. He would take his sword and carve a letter "Z" to show that he had been there.

This got me thinking, I wonder what a horseshoe would look like the shape of a "Z"? I decided enough thinking about this, it's time for action! I proceeded to grab a horseshoe and leave a "mark" of my own.

Notched

2008-09-17T00:35:00.001-04:00

One of the more difficult card tears to complete is to rip a thumb sized chunk out of the side of a deck. This is referred to as notching. Not only does this require a strong squeeze from the entire hand to initiate the tears, but it also takes a very tight pinch to be able to remove the notch. Pictured is a top level name brand full deck of plastic coated playing cards that I notched.

What "Drives" You?

2008-09-13T18:56:00.000-04:00

Ever heard the expression "You've only got one chance in life"? That is a great way to describe the feat of driving a nail by hand. Most people hesitate when given an opportunity...they "need to think about it". Alot of the time, that hesitation can cost the situation that was being presented.

At an auction for instance, if one were to stop and think about the item they had intended to purchase AFTER it was placed on the block, it may most likely be lost to another bidder. How about a drag racer? Would they sit at the line pondering the green light? Of course not - that is, if they wanted to win the race. The same applies to the way I perform this feat. There is NO holding back, NO hesitation, NO thinking about it. Set up, squeeze tight, swing hard, and SUCCESS!

Hesitation and holding back will do just that - hold one back.

Now what about you? What are you pondering? Is it starting that new diet, asking for that raise, beginning a fitness routine, searching for a new job, etc.? What is it that you want to accomplish? What "Drives" you?

Plate Confetti

2008-09-06T19:05:00.000-04:00

After the blog entry made by Grandmaster Strongman Dennis Rogers, I was approached about doing another multiple tear license plate for a private collection. This is the end result. It is a Pa plate that I tore into 52 pieces. The smallest tears were completed by pinching with only the index fingers and thumbs, then by using a motion similar to the way I tear cards.

Driven

2008-09-03T13:20:00.000-04:00

One of the feats of strength that has fascinated me since my youth is bare hand nail driving. Bare handed with the exception of a small piece of a rag that is placed in the palm. Stories and photographs of these great oldetime strongmen slamming a large nail though wood, sheet metal, license plates, plywood, and even frying pans with one mighty blow of their fist just completely defies logic.

Pictured is a thick board and a license plate that I drove a 4" long, 20 d nail completely through with one swing. How was I able to accomplish this? I guess one could say that I'm "driven" to succeed.

The Cork-screw Bolt

2008-08-31T14:38:00.000-04:00

Today I decided to do something a little bit different with a large bolt. I put a cork-screw style twist in it. I accomplished this by bending the 1/2" x 18" hex head bolt in half over my thigh, then by pulling the halves in opposite directions similar to how I bend horseshoes. I finished it off by once again pushing the bolt down over my thigh.

Twisted Twice

2008-08-26T15:03:00.000-04:00

I've been asked if I ever attempted to twist a horseshoe twice. Yes, I have done this several times. The end result is quite unique looking. I have named this bend of mine "The Horseshoe Shoe". What do you think - resemble a shoe?

Artistic Touch

2008-08-23T22:33:00.000-04:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...

A Few Tears

2008-08-20T09:32:00.000-04:00

I have been getting a lot of questions recently about my card tearing so I thought I would post a quick video demonstration. All of the cards featured are plastic coated and are either new top retail brands or from popular casinos.

In my performances I have torn cards in a variety of ways: in front of me, into various designs (notch or corner), handcuffed, and even behind my back. For these tears you will see I use what is known as the overhand grip. As I discussed in a previous post this is basically the same way one would grasp a jar and take the lid off.

Sharing The Stage

2008-08-13T13:55:00.000-04:00

I have been honoured to share the stage with many great strongmen over the past few months. One of these incredible strength performers in the man known as Mike "The Machine" Bruce. Mike is widely accepted as possessing the worlds strongest neck. He routinely performs a seated neck lift in which a head harness is loaded to 300#'s and then lifted for numerous repetitions.

Recently Mike and I performed together in Texas at a few venues. The first of which is where this photo was taken. In the image you will see that I am pulling open a steel horseshoe measuring 1/4" thick by 3/4" wide size #3 across Mike's THROAT.

Training With The Grand Master

2008-08-12T00:37:00.000-04:00

I just returned from training with Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers in Houston Texas. It was a very productive visit to say the least. Dennis set up a small training seminar for some of his students which I was fortunate to be a part of. Many great things were covered and accomplished by all those who were in attendance. Speaking of accomplishments, notice the 1/4" x 3/4" #3 steel horseshoe on the table in the picture? I bent that particular shoe across the throat of my friend Mike "The Machine" Bruce, that's right - across his THROAT.

You will also notice the very large horseshoe I am holding while sitting beside my mentor Dennis Rogers. It is a Diamond Special #5 steel horseshoe that I bent into an "S" shape the previous evening. This is an extremely difficult feat to perform and have been told that only one other man in the world is credited with accomplishing this bend in the style I performed it.

Open End Wrenches

2008-07-27T17:59:00.000-04:00

In addition to bending adjustable wrenches, I also perform with open end wrenches. These wrenches are unpredictable, sometimes they bend and sometimes they break very violently. When they do break, everyone nearby knows it as a loud SNAP is produced. Pictured is a complete set of top brand open end wrenches that I have bent, along with one I broke of the same brand in the 11/16" x 5/8" size.

A Visit to New Jersey

2008-07-19T17:37:00.000-04:00

I recently visited with my friend Greg Matonick in New Jersey. Greg has been performing feats of strength for several decades and has been named "New Jersey's Superman" by ABC News. While there, one of the many feats performed was the tearing of a license plate. Check out the video above to see me in action.

Thoughts From The Grand Master

2008-07-14T21:21:00.000-04:00

This is a link to a blog entry by Grand Master Strongman
Dennis Rogers in reference to some of my feats.

http://dennisrogers.net/blog.php?id=158

For those of you who don't know, Dennis is the #1 professional strongman in the world, multiple world record holder, has been named "pound for pound the worlds strongest man for the feats he performs", and he is my mentor.

Rolling A Frying Pan

2008-07-08T22:27:00.000-04:00

In the mid 1990's, Grand Master Strongman Dennis Rogers introduced the feat of rolling up a frying pan. Now I mean REAL frying pans, not bargain store junk - and I mean ROLLING.

To accomplish this, it not only requires very strong wrists to initiate the roll, it also takes a powerful grip to hold on to the slick non-stick surface.

Notice how tightly the 10" name brand pan pictured is rolled. This is one of the many feats I have learned from the Grand Master himself.

Plastic Coated Playing Cards

2008-06-30T17:08:00.000-04:00

Tearing decks of playing cards has been associated with the strongman for quite some time. In the old days the decks were made of paper and several performers were credited with tearing multiple decks at the same time.

Most of today's decks are made of a tough paper also, however, the cards are covered with a PLASTIC coating. The plastic makes the cards of today more durable, slippery, pliable, and just down right tough.

I use what is known as the overhand tear. This is basically the same motion as taking the lid off of a jar. It takes a strong grip to squeeze the cards tight enough to prevent them from slipping. The wrists are then called upon to generate a tremendous shearing motion to successfully tear the cards. In addition, the hands must be tough enough to resist being cut by the sharp plastic edge as it is torqued into the skin.

Pictured is a popular name brand deck that I tore in half in just a few seconds.

Adjustable Wrenches

2008-06-29T18:10:00.001-04:00

The bending of an adjustable wrench requires powerful hands and wrists, tough palms, and extremely strong thumbs. You may be asking yourself why strong thumbs? Because after getting an initial bend by pushing down over my leg, the next step is to wrap the handle around my thumbs by twisting my wrists. Shown here are several sizes of adjustable wrenches I have bent in this manner. They are 8", 10", and 12" - all are drop forged steel.

Spike Bending...Un-braced

2008-06-28T23:47:00.000-04:00

Among the most widely recognised feats of the Oldetime Strongman is the bending of a steel spike. There are many different sizes of spikes, the ones I am going to mention here are from left to right the 60d, 70d, and 8 inch log spike.

The standard strongman bend - the 60d. This spike has the dimensions of 1/4" thick by 6" long. It is the spike normally performed with both by the strongmen of old and the modern strongmen as well. The head and the point are wrapped in a piece of cloth, handkerchief, bandanna, small piece of supple suede, something to protect the hand without adding any additional leverage. The spike is then grasped tightly in the grip and bent with the strength of the hands and wrists. The hands do not make contact with the legs, abdomen, ground, floor, wall, or anything else that would aid in the bend. This is a demonstration of hand and wrist strength.

The 70d is a considerably larger spike that measures 5/16" thick by 7" long. The increase in length makes this spike more awkward than the 60d while the increased thickness makes it substantially harder to bend as well. Again, this is performed with a small but adequate amount of hand padding and UN-braced.

The 8" log spike shown is 5/16" thick twisted square stock measuring of course 8" long. Not only is this spike extremely strong it is quite a challenge to have enough flexibility coupled with enough strength to bend it in an UN-braced manner.

There are several other large spikes that are used in the strongman demonstrations as well, they typically measure 3/8" thick by 10" or 12" in length and are bent by pushing down over the thigh or hip. That is a style known as braced and will be a topic for another day.

Tearing License Plates

2008-06-28T22:00:00.000-04:00

Another great oldetime feat is legitimately tearing a license plate in half. By legitimately I am referring to a plate that has not been altered by making a "notch" or a cut in the edge to be torn.

Pictured are a pair of plates that I tore at the same time, that's right, two plates together - torn at once. This particular pair were torn at the 25th reunion of the Association of Oldetime Barbell and Strongmen (A.O.B.S.) dinner on June 7, 2008 during "Slim The Hammerman" Farman's "Rising Stars of Strength" show. My presentation was concluded with the tearing of these plates, which were verified as unaltered immediately beforehand by several strength notables who were in attendance.

A Sculpture of Steel

2008-06-27T13:52:00.000-04:00

I also practice a form of scroll work with long lengths of steel bar. The picture to the left shows a bar that began as a straight piece of 1/2" square steel at a length of 20 feet. Over a period of several hours I twisted, coiled, and bent this piece into the flowing work of art now seen.

Scrolling an "Odd Object"

2008-06-27T08:49:00.000-04:00

Scrolling - multiple bends in the same piece of steel.

Odd Object - implement other than one traditionally used in a performance of oldetime feats.

One of the feats that I have become known for is the scrolling of a tool, in the case at hand, a framing hammer. This is an extremely difficult feat of strength due to many factors. First off, hammers are not supposed to be bent in this manner or even at all. They are tempered steel and are very tough. When putting the power to an implement of this type, the steel wants to "load" on itself like a giant flat spring. In addition to this, the bends are made in opposite directions. As one bend is being completed, precision needs to be applied as to not undo the other.

Another hindering factor is the length. The general thought is that the longer the object the greater the leverage. This is true, however when dealing with complex designs the increase in length also transfers into an increase in difficulty because of the distance from the bend to the hand and the ability to control the piece. Think of it this way, what is easier to hit a nail with? A hammer grasped near the head or grasped near the end of the handle? The farther away from the target area, the more difficult to control.

Pictured above is a 24 oz. tempered steel framing hammer. It's overall length was 15-3/4" prior to being scrolled.

An Oldetime Favorite - Bending Horseshoes

2008-06-26T20:20:00.000-04:00

One of the greatest overall strength feats is the bending of a horseshoe. There are several styles that can be used in the performance of this feat, my personal favorite is the "push - pull" on the side of the leg. I feel that this is a more difficult technique and requires greater wrist and hand strength to be successful. I also like to perform a variation I came up with that does not use any bracing against other body parts, doing the bending while only making contact between my hands & wrists and the horseshoe. More on my un-braced horseshoe bends at another time.

There are several designs that can be made from the twisting of a horseshoe. One of the classic strongman designs was to bend the shoe to 180 degree's which will make an "S" shape. "The Mighty Atom" Joseph Greenstein, would make the "W" pattern in his shows. This was done by continuing past the 180 mark and bringing the "legs" of the shoe back around, thus resulting the pattern of an "W".

"The Human Vise" Pat Povilaitis created a design known as "The Horseshoe Heart". He has accomplished this by bending the horseshoe the entire way around and continuing on until the heels of the shoe are lined up in front of each other. This has become the standard design which is imitated by strongmen all over the world - myself included, as I have received instruction from this Master Strongman.

I mentioned in the previous post that I have some unique feats, this carries into the horseshoe design also. Looking to have something different in the realm of horseshoe bending, I began to do my own original design. I call this the "paper-clip". I continue to crush the shoe all the way down until the "legs" are parallel with the twist. Pictured is a 3/8" thick by 1" wide #5 steel horseshoe that I "paper-clipped". It is shown with a quarter for scale.

Getting Started

2008-06-26T16:10:00.000-04:00

Welcome! You've found the blog of Oldetime Strongman Chris Rider. With this website I will be sharing with you some of the many oldetime feats of strength that I perform, along with some new feats that I have created to keep my shows fresh and original. I can be reached for questions and bookings at strongmanchrisrider@gmail.com . Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check back often for some of the most unique feats of strength being performed today.