Secrets of Strength and Development

Bob Hoffman Secrets of Strength and Development

Who was Bob Hoffman?


Bob Hoffman was foremost an athlete/weightlifter and secondly a nutritionist/coach and philantropist and business man.

Bob Hoffman was born in Georgia on the November 9th 1898. He was born on a farm in Tifton and never suffered from illness as a child as many other Oltime Strongmen have claimed. He was born strong with a strong father to follow on the farm where much of his strength was nurtured.

Bob started his physical culture very young at the age of 5 when he excelled in many sports- especially canoeing.

Bob's business career started in the 1920s after World War I (see below), at first he sold oil burners, before later developing his business into the hugely successful York Barbell Company

Check out York Barbell Courses

Bob Hoffman, never the greatest coach or athlete, was a man who had a massive influence on weightlifting and bodybuilding for well over half a century.

Not only was Bob Hoffman a pioneering the the world of Strength Development and Physical Culture her also was an outstanding soldier in World War I - he gained 3 Croix de Guerres with two palms and a Silver Star from France. From Belgium he was awarded The Belgian Order of Leopold and from Italy the Italian War Cross and the Purple Heart.


Bob Hoffman Books on Sandow Plus





Also, fancy making a Bob Hoffman Protein Shake?

Here's the ingredient list from Bob's Hi Proteen Drink (via OldtimeStrongman.com

10 in 1 Hi-Proteen

1. Mira Soy - Natural Soya Powder
2. Caseinate of Milk
3. Cotton Seed Protein
4. Egg Albumen
5. Gelatin
6. Peanut Meal
7. Brewer's Yeast
8. Wheat germ
9. A 96% Soya Protein
10. Lecithin

Think you could hold that down?

Bob Hoffman Books available for Download at sandowplus

Bob Hoffman Books on Sandow Plus


Weight Lifting by Bob Hoffman


Big Arms by Bob Hoffman


Secrets of Strength & Development


The Big Chest Book


Bob Hoffman's Simplified System of Swing Bar Training


Bob Hoffman's Simplified System of Barbell Training


Bob Hoffman's Simplified System of Dumbell Training


The York Handbalancing Course


Bob Hoffman's Daily Dozen


Advanced Methods of Weight Training


Functional Isometric Contraction System


Functional Isometric Contraction - Advanced Course


Functional Isometric Contraction
Exercise without Movement

York Barbell Bodybuilding Routines

York Barbell Bodybuilding Routines

THe York Barbell Company has been around for about 65 years and has provided many a young budding bodybuilder with their first barbell set.

I remember ordering mine and receiving it about 22 years ago.

You know the type with the plastic coated, plaster of paris filled discs.

Happy memories......

I used to have competitions in my bedroom with friends for who could put the most weight overhead. At the time we saw no reason why bench press should be involved. If you could put weight over your head then you were a man!

I also recall the 1960's style workout programs that I received with my York Barbell kit. Lot's of bodybuilder stood around a swimming pool. I could only dream about looking anything like them and follow the programs and hope to get huge!

Here are the York Barbell Programs

York Barbell Course No. 1

(The first of the famous York Barbell Courses designed by Bob Hoffman)

Curls 1 x 6
Overhead Press 1 x 6
Squats 1 x 8-12
Pullovers 1 x 6
Deadlifts 1 x 8-12
Bench Press 1 x 6
Side Bends 1 x 6
Jefferson Lift 1 x 8-12
Calf Raises 1 x 8-12
Shrugs 1 x 6

York Barbell Course No. 2

Reverse Curl 1 x 6
Overhead Press 1 x 6
Squats 1 x 8-12
Deadlift 1 x 8-12
Sit-Ups 1 x 8-12
Bent-Over Rows 1 x 6
Leg Press or Front Squats 1 x 8-12
Goose Step with Barbell (walking in place with barbell on shoulders) 1 x 8-12
Bench Press 1 x 6

York Barbell Course No. 3

One-Arm Jerk with Barbell 1 x 6
One-Arm Snatch with Barbell 1 x 8-12
Bench Press 1 x 6
Squats 1 x 8-12
Overhead Squats 1 x 8-12
High Pull (to belt) 1 x 6
Overhead Press 1 x 6
Two-Arm Snatch 1 x 8-12
Two-Arm Jerk 1 x 6
Cleans 1 x 6

Simplified Barbell Training - York Barbell Course No. 4

Curls 1 x 15
Overhead Press 1 x 15
Rows 1 x 15
Side Bends 1 x 15
Clean & Jerk 1 x 15
High Pulls 1 x 15
Overhead Squats 1 x 15
Snatches 1 x 15
Deadlift 1 x 15
Squats 1 x 15