
The International Weightlifting Federation officially recognized his efforts by designating Bob “The Father of World Weightlifting” in 1970.įor many years, thousands of bodybuilders and weightlifters made the pilgrimage to “Muscletown, USA” to pay homage to York Barbell Company, visit “The York Barbell Museum and USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame,” and meet many of the great lifters, in person. Names like Richard Bachtell, John Davis, Pete George, Bill Good, John Grimek, Art Levan, Norb Schemansky, Tommy Kono, Joe Miller, Stan Stanczyk, Steve Stanko, Tony Terlazzo, John Terpak, John Terry, etc., made the bulk of the contributions to its’ success.īob Hoffman generously funded, coached, and promoted “The United States Olympic Weightlifting Team” from 1948 to 1964. The United States Olympic Weightlifting Team was recognized as world champion contenders! York Barbell Company put York, Pennsylvania, on the map and became widely known as, “Muscletown, USA”! In 1964, he began publishing a second magazine, “Muscular Development,” and chose, well known, champion bodybuilder, John Grimek, as the editor.įor three decades “The York Barbell Club” brought home more medals and trophies than any other team! In the early 1950s, Hoffman began manufacturing one of the FIRST commercially available food supplements for bodybuilders and weightlifters. USA Contest.”Īfter that contest, John Grimek retired, UNDEFEATED, in bodybuilding!
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Universe Contest,” and “1949 Professional Mr. Grimek followed up with winner of the “1946 Most Muscular Man In America,” “1948 Health & Strength Mr. Grimek was the 1936 National Weightlifting Champion, a member of the “1936 United States Olympic Weightlifting Team,” and winner of the “1939 York Perfect Man Contest.”Īfter winning the title, again, the following year, a rule was established that no one could win it more than once. In 1940, York Barbell Club entered the world of bodybuilding by entering one of it’s own members in the FIRST, A.A.U. In 1935, Hoffman bought the bankrupt stock of the famous “Milo Bar Bell Company.” His business prospered over time so that he could “recruit” champion weightlifters from all over the country with the promise of a job at his barbell manufacturing facility.
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In 1932, he stopped making oil burners and manufactured barbells, full time.įollowing the 1932 Olympic Games, he began publishing “Strength and Health” magazine which continued for fifty-three years until his death.Īs a prolific writer of books and articles, Hoffman promoted the benefits of exercise and nutrition. He started “The York Oil Burner Athletic Club” in 1931. In 1929, he began manufacturing barbells in his oil burner factory and later founded the “York Barbell Company” on Broad Street in York, Pennsylvania. In 1924 he organized the FIRST American weightlifting competition. He fashioned himself some weights in his company’s machine shop and, later, purchased one of Alan Calvert’s Milo Bar Bells and developed a major interest in barbell training. While still interested in physical training, he began reading “Strength” magazine and became convinced that training with barbells was the best way to get strong. They became so successful that, unlike other businesses, the York Oil Burner Business flourished during “The Great Depression” of the 1930s! They established their business in York, Pennsylvania in 1919.Ī born salesman, with an exceptional gift-of-gab, Hoffman worked around the clock to grow their new found business. Robert Collins Hoffman, born in 1898, in Tifton, Georgia, grew up in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, just east of Pittsburgh.Īs a boy, he was stricken with typhoid fever which left him a skinny, weakling.Īfter serving his country in World War I, Hoffman partnered with a friend, Ed Kraber, and created the York Oil Burner Company. He developed this passion into a multi-million dollar business that provided the financial backing for the fledgling United States Olympic Weightlifting Team. His is a story of a young man with a passion for healthy, outdoor, exercise became one of the biggest contributors to world weightlifting.ĭuring his athletic career, he had amassed several hundred trophies, medals, and cups. Olympic Weightlifting team 1948-1964 Publisher of “Strength and Health” and “Muscular Development” magazines. Bob Hoffman “Founder of The York Barbell Company” Coach of the U.S.
