Dan Lurie, a physical fitness pioneer and father of bodybuilding, was born on April 1st 1923 in Brooklyn. He was a world class bodybuilder during 1940’s and managed to take the “America’s Most Muscular Man” title not once, but four times by 1949.
Dan Lurie
Dan pressing Miss California with ease
Lurie established the International Federation of Body Builders in 1948 and founded Dan Lurie Gyms and Health Clubs, which attracted a fair amount of famous people – like Sylvester Stallone.
Some of his best records and strength feats are:
- 1230 pounds Leg Press
- 1225 parallel dips in ninety minutes
- Back lift of 1810 pounds
- 285 pounds one-handed bent press with 168 pounds in bodyweight
Dan Lurie bent pressing 150 pounds with 145 lbs in bodyweight
Dan Lurie is still alive and he was still training until a couple of years ago. Although he limited the weight to 50 pounds and did more reps instead of increasing weight, it’s still very admirable for a 80-something year old!
Dan Lurie at 78
He is 90 years old at this moment and still beating the odds, since he was born with a hole in his heart and doctors could never imagine he would live such a long life. Well done, sir!
Dan’s entire life story is presented in his newest book throughout his 70-year career- Heart of Steel : The Dan Lurie Story .
Comments
Wow, it’s amazing how some of these ridiculously strong people started out life with poor health and in weak or sickly conditions, such as Mr. Lurie and Maxick.
I knew him
I competed in one of his
Contest mr. Miami in1966
In Miami Beach fountain lead
And advertised in his magazine
Sport video and vitamins
Thanks for sharing Faris, always great to hear from someone who knew one of the great old-time strongmen in person.
did he exercise mondays wednesdays and fridays and pause on Saturdays and Sundays ??
I knew him, he had store on Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn I use to go there to buy different weighted barbell plates back in the 70’s