The Truth About George Hackenschmidt's Favorite Exercise

TLDRGeorge Hackenschmidt's favorite exercise was not the hack squat machine but rather a weight balance squat on his toes. This exercise, which he did before the hack squat machines existed, was a full range of motion squat with weight behind his back. While the hack squat machine is not bad, it is not what George Hackenschmidt actually did.

Key insights

💪George Hackenschmidt's favorite exercise was a weight balance squat on his toes, not the hack squat machine.

🏋️‍♂️The hack squat machine was not available during George Hackenschmidt's time, so he had no voice to educate on his preferred exercise.

🔧While the hack squat machine is not bad, it is not what George Hackenschmidt actually did.

🚫George Hackenschmidt's exercise would be more accurately called a 'not hack squat' machine.

🤔Prioritizing knees over toes training can gradually improve the ability to perform a true hack squat.

Q&A

What was George Hackenschmidt's favorite exercise?

George Hackenschmidt's favorite exercise was a weight balance squat on his toes.

Why is the hack squat machine not what George Hackenschmidt actually did?

The hack squat machine was not available during George Hackenschmidt's time, so he had no voice to educate on his preferred exercise.

Is the hack squat machine bad?

The hack squat machine is not bad, but it is not what George Hackenschmidt actually did.

What is the 'not hack squat' machine?

The 'not hack squat' machine refers to the weight balance squat on toes exercise that George Hackenschmidt preferred, which would be more accurately called a 'not hack squat' machine.

How can knees over toes training help in performing a true hack squat?

Prioritizing knees over toes training can gradually improve the ability to perform a true hack squat.

Timestamped Summary

00:00George Hackenschmidt could jump high in his 80s and had a favorite exercise.

00:06His favorite exercise was a weight balance squat on his toes with weight behind his back.

00:19The hack squat machine was not available during George Hackenschmidt's time.

00:31Prioritizing knees over toes training can improve the ability to perform a true hack squat.

00:38The slant squat smoothly scales from assisted to unassisted to loaded.

01:23Progressing from using chairs alone to not needing help can be sufficient for most longevity goals.

01:45Using simple equipment like a slant board and weight can help maintain joint health and mobility.

02:31There is no need for fancy equipment for achieving elite goals in exercise.