My maternal grandfather was an ironmaster http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ironmaster ; he understood iron and its many applications in the industrial era. He apparently "did rather well" and actually travelled to Tasmania in 1913, a long way from his native England. I would like to think that some of his genetic rust has rubbed off on me.

I am always lifting. Often this is for practical purposes , and I maintain a regular fitness program which tends to place lifting at the core. It is a very healthy way of remedying the ills inherent in a desk job. I favour whole body movements and in particular ballistic (high speed) exercises which complement the slower activities inherent in building , gardening and landscaping.

I lift all manner of conventional & non-conventional objects. So do others. Here is a very nice gym in Luxembourg containing some vintage items. This is my idea of a toy shop. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5nH0vb4CCdo

In recent years I have become attached to training with kettlebells , aka weightballs. These are solid or hollow , handled cannonball shaped iron or steel weights (I have one filled with lead weighing 48kg) which can be used in a myriad of ways  -  mimicking practical movement patterns you would find in any agricultural community. You can also flip them and toss them , in front of and around the body. This is pretty good fun and keeps you nimble and focussed.



I am also heavily involved in Kettlebell (Girevoy) Sport. So far competition has taken me to Europe - including Latvia - twice. The Russians and Eastern Europeans are the masters of this sport. It requires strength , flexibility ,  careful pacing , determination , and great stamina. In some ways it is like rowing but without the support of the boat and with gravity acting against you at every turn. Generally the bells are lifted overhead for 10 minutes , without placing them down. With 32kg (one arm snatch event) or 2x32kg(2 arm jerk event) you can see that it presents a tremendous challenge! It is rightfully an extreme sport when practised at the higher echelons of skill - usually the province of professional athletes. Although very much a hobbyist , I have achieved 10 minutes in the jerk event with 2x32kg bells aged 45 . Which proves that just about anything is achievable through conviction , hard work and determination.



You can read more about kettlebells on these two sites of mine http://taskettlebellers.tripod.com/  and http://taskettlebellers.tripod.com/girevoysportaustralia/  And if you wish , you can view some videos I have posted on YouTube - just type "tasgirevik" into the search box.

Here is a picture of a competition style kettlebell basking in the glow of a summer's evening. The ergonomics are important as this are used for high repetition efforts. Chalk on the handle aids grip. Rick , who by the way is a good bloke , sells these ex Melbourne  http://www.kettlebells.com.au/  But you will have to expend some elbow grease getting them back to the raw steel if you want the vintage look.









Most are familiar with barbell plates but rarely do you see them used for grip training or throwing. Pinch gripping one or more barbell discs is a superb method of improving pinch grip without needing special equipment. The pictured disc is from the now defunct Tasmanian Montpelier Foundry which is referenced here:  http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/I/Iron%20foundries.htm

It also mentions other Tasmanian foundries , one of which (APCO engineering) cast the pioneering Tasmanian bells designed by Nige.

I work at a place in Montpelier Retreat which runs into Salamanca Place on the waterfront.  I don't think the foundry was located there...but who knows? My ironmaster ancestor took a photo from Hobart harbour looking back towards Montpelier Retreat. The six degrees of separation phenomenon?