Alexander Zass
Encyclopedia
Alexander Zass was born in Vilnus, Lithuania. He was a circus actor, professional wrestler, and strongman
. Despite his unimpressive physique (166 cm tall, weight 75 kilograms) he possessed tremendous strength that allowed him to break chains, bend thick iron bars, carry a horse on his shoulders, etc. His best-known circus number was him catching a 90 kilogram cannon ball or a human performer shot by a special cannon that he designed himself. He often said that large biceps
do not indicate great strength, like a large stomach does not indicate good digestion. Zass created his own training system, independently discovered the isometric exercise
s. In 1914, he was wounded and taken prisoner by the Austrian forces while serving in the Russian army during the First World War. Alexander escaped three times and left the country on his third attempt. He used the stage name Iron Samson to conceal his identity. Zass never returned to his homeland after his escape.
Strongman (strength athlete)
In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or circus performers of similar ilk who displayed feats of strength such as the bent press , supporting large amounts of...
. Despite his unimpressive physique (166 cm tall, weight 75 kilograms) he possessed tremendous strength that allowed him to break chains, bend thick iron bars, carry a horse on his shoulders, etc. His best-known circus number was him catching a 90 kilogram cannon ball or a human performer shot by a special cannon that he designed himself. He often said that large biceps
Biceps
Biceps may refer to:*Biceps brachii muscle, a muscle located on the inside of the upper arm*Biceps femoris muscle, one of the hamstring muscles of the back of each thigh*Biceps , a point in a metrical pattern...
do not indicate great strength, like a large stomach does not indicate good digestion. Zass created his own training system, independently discovered the isometric exercise
Isometric exercise
Isometric exercise or isometrics are a type of strength training in which the joint angle and muscle length do not change during contraction...
s. In 1914, he was wounded and taken prisoner by the Austrian forces while serving in the Russian army during the First World War. Alexander escaped three times and left the country on his third attempt. He used the stage name Iron Samson to conceal his identity. Zass never returned to his homeland after his escape.