Print Length: 46 pages
Language: English
ASIN: B008A7H7KGSIEGMUND KLEIN was born in West Prussia, on April 10th 1902. Unlike many strength athletes, who claim to have been weaklings in youth, he was a fairly normal child, born of healthy parents. Always fond of exercise, the boy took his full share of whatever games and sports came his way and was particularly fond of lifting any heavy weights encountered in his daily work of assisting an elder brother to run a bakery business.His first barbell was purchased in in 1919 at the age of 17 years and on the very first day of its arrival he settled down to regular training, with such success that within a few months he could elevate one hundred pounds in the 'Two Hands Press'; always a favourite lift with him.This performance was doubled to two hundred pounds after two year's training at a body-weight of 147lbs. His first stage appearance was at Luna Park, Cleveland, where together with a partner, he gave a show which included hand balancing and lifting, where he registered the above lift.This was the forerunner of many stage shows, which have delighted the 'strength' fans of America. For Klein has a natural aptitude for this class of entertainment and one of his productions of the revue type, in which he was assisted by a team of girls, was voted one of the best shows yet staged in that land of spectacular presentations.His life ambition was not however to be a stage performer, but to equip and own the finest barbell gymnasium in the States. This was partly realised in 1927, when on the death of Prof. Attila - the World Famous Strength Performer and trainer of many of the most celebrated names in the history of strength - he took over the management of his gymnasium. He married Miss Grace Attila, the charming daughter of the late Professor, thus linking the two names of renown.He ran the business for some time, in the process of which he met practically all the barbell men of the pre-war era, and with several breaks for a vaudeville tour, he eventually resigned and opened his own gym in New York.
