99% Invisible The Weight
Nov 17, 2021
Avery Trufelman, host of "Nice Try!" and former producer, dives into the cultural significance of weights in fitness and home design. She explores how weightlifting has transformed from its rustic roots to a major player in modern wellness, highlighting the revolution spurred by figures like Bob Hoffman. Trufelman discusses the clash between bodybuilding aesthetics and Olympic lifting discipline, revealing the underlying American ideals of personal betterment that these trends perpetuate. Join her as she unpacks the contradictions and evolution within the fitness culture.
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Weightlifting Stigma
- In the early 20th century, weightlifting was viewed with suspicion and fear.
- People believed it would make you "muscle-bound," hindering flexibility and mental function.
Bob Hoffman's Vision
- Avery Trufelman became interested in Bob Hoffman, a businessman from the 1930s.
- Hoffman's vision was to promote weightlifting for everyone despite prevailing health concerns.
Hoffman's Hall of Fame
- Bob Hoffman's Weightlifting Hall of Fame features multiple tributes to him.
- Hoffman, a decorated WWI hero, often exaggerated his accomplishments, according to biographer John Fair.