Doug Hepburn was a famous strongman and weightlifter from Canada, best known for winning numerous weightlifting medals in the 50’s and various feats of strength he used to perform during the same period.
Doug Hepburn
The public became aware of Doug’s presence in 1953 when he won a gold medal at World Weightlifting Championships in Stockholm, after successful 1030 lbs Olympic 3-lift-total. Hepburn was the first man who managed to bench 400, 450 and 500 pounds and at one point he set a world record in deep knee bend squatting, using 630 pounds.
Doug Hepburn doing a heavy squat in Ed Yarick’s Gym in Oakland, California
As a part of his training for the weightlifting championships, Hepburn toured Canada and performed as a strongman, showing many feats of strength, like finger lifting, oil can bursting, ripping feats and some more traditional ones, such as bench presses, squats, curls etc.
Doug Hepburn lifting six hockey players in 1954
Apart from being a professional weightlifter, Douglas Ivan Hepburn was also involved in hand balancing. With more than 280 pounds in bodyweight at that time, Hepburn could do five reps in the tiger bend and twelve reps in the handstand press – which goes to say there is no excuse for avoiding bodyweight exercises and hand balancing, even if you are large framed. It’s definitely easier if you are lighter, though.
Doug Hepburn weighing 305 pounds showing a handstand pushup
In the picture below, we can see incredible combination of strength & balance as Doug holds 205 pounds barbell plus 145 pounds person on top of it.
Doug Hepburn showing his strength & balance skills
Doug Hepburn pressing 395 pounds
Doug Hepburn demonstrates his strength by lifting Red Cross Girls in 1955 in Toronto.
If you are looking to build incredible strength and don’t know how to get started with handstand pushups, check out my Ultimate Guide to Handstand Pushups.