• NO NONSENSE, OLD SCHOOL WEIGHTLIFTING HISTORY

  • By: Mark Morthier
  • Podcast

NO NONSENSE, OLD SCHOOL WEIGHTLIFTING HISTORY

By: Mark Morthier
  • Summary

  • My name is Mark Morthier, and I host yesterday’s Sports on the Sports History Network. As many of you know from reading my articles and listening to my podcasts, I am not only an avid weightlifter but a fan of the sport as well. I’m excited to share my newest adventure, a show dedicated to promoting weightlifting, while also looking back at some weightlifting history. I’ll share some of my own stories and interview weightlifters from both past and present. I competed in Olympic Weightlifting from 1981 to 1989 and powerlifting from 2011 to 2019. Although I wasn’t what one might call “a naturally gifted lifter,” I managed to clean & jerk 140 kilos/308 lbs at 179 lbs body weight. In my later years, I achieved a 600-pound deadlift and a 431-pound front squat in my mid-fifties. Although I was more successful in powerlifting, setting New Jersey and New York State records in Masters Competitions, I’ll always consider myself an Olympic Weightlifter. I’ve also written a book on weight training titled No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training, which is available on Amazon. https://amzn.to/3RHV1oW (Amazon affiliate link) I hope that you will enjoy the show, and please leave a comment or offer a suggestion. And if you’re an Olympic lifter, past or present, let me know if you’d like to set up an interview, and I’ll do my best to have you on the show. Stay strong and God bless!
    Copyright 2025 Mark Morthier
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Episodes
  • Weight Training For People With Limited Time
    Jan 24 2025

    NO NONSENSE, OLD SCHOOL WEIGHTLIFTING HISTORY is presented by the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    In this episode, Mark Morthier debunks common myths about weight training and provides practical advice for those looking to start or improve their weight training routine. Mark is a certified personal trainer with 16 years of experience in Olympic lifting and Powerlifting and shares insights on how to train effectively without spending endless hours at the gym.

    Check out the article on the Sports History Network

    Key Takeaways:

    1. Time Efficiency: Weight training doesn't require hours at the gym. Effective training can be achieved with a well-structured routine.
    2. Listen to Your Body: Understand the difference between discomfort and pain, and avoid overtraining to prevent injuries.
    3. Recovery: Not everyone recovers at the same rate. Pay attention to your body's signals and adjust your training accordingly.
    4. Personalization: One size doesn't fit all. Customize your training routine to fit your personal goals and lifestyle.
    5. Realistic Goals: Set challenging yet attainable goals and be honest about what you want to achieve with weight training.
    6. Specialization: Decide which form of weight training suits you best - Bodybuilding, Powerlifting, or Olympic Weightlifting.
    7. Competition: Consider whether you want to compete and choose the form of lifting that brings you the most satisfaction.
    8. Core Benefits: Weight training is fundamentally about getting stronger and gaining muscle, with additional benefits like speed, flexibility, and coordination.

    Exercises Highlighted:

    • Full Depth Squats
    • Traditional Deadlift
    • Overhead Press
    • Incline/Flat Bench Press
    • Power Cleans
    • Situps
    • Additional exercises include Front Squats, Leg Extensions, Leg Curls, Hanging Knee Raises, Wide Grip Lat Pulldowns, Upright Rows, Pull-Ups/Chin-Ups, Parallel Bar Dips, and Wrist Rolls.

    SHOW BACKGROUND

    My name is Mark Morthier, and I host yesterday’s Sports on the Sports History Network. As many of you know from reading my articles and listening to my podcasts, I am not only an avid weightlifter but a fan of the sport as well. I’m excited to share my newest adventure, a show dedicated to promoting weightlifting, while also looking back at some weightlifting history. I’ll share some of my own stories and interview weightlifters from both past and present.

    I competed in Olympic Weightlifting from 1981 to 1989 and powerlifting from 2011 to 2019. Although I wasn’t what one might call “a naturally gifted lifter,” I managed to clean & jerk 140 kilos/308 lbs at 179 lbs body weight. In my later years, I achieved a 600-pound deadlift and a 431-pound front squat in my mid-fifties. Although I was more successful in powerlifting, setting New Jersey and New York State records in Masters Competitions, I’ll always consider myself an Olympic Weightlifter. I’ve also written a book on weight training titled No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training, which is available on Amazon.

    No Nonsense, Old School Weightlifting book (Amazon affiliate link)

    I hope that you will enjoy the show, and please leave a comment or offer a suggestion. And if you’re an Olympic lifter,

    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • Mike Listro's Weightlifting Legacy: Strength, Determination, and Breaking Records
    Sep 26 2024

    NO NONSENSE, OLD SCHOOL WEIGHTLIFTING HISTORY is presented by the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    Mike Listro began lifting weights in his basement at thirteen after watching the movie Rocky. He started training on the Olympic lifts without coaching in 1978 after watching a weightlifting competition on the T.V. show Wide World of Sports. He picked up training tips from Strength & Health magazine.

    In February of 1980, as a spectator, Mike went to a weightlifting competition at the Belleville Barbell Club. He spoke with coach Bucky Cairo, and the next thing he knew, he was lifting in his first competition at the McBurney YMCA in New York City the next day.....

    You can read the full blog post here.

    SHOW BACKGROUND

    My name is Mark Morthier, and I host yesterday’s Sports on the Sports History Network. As many of you know from reading my articles and listening to my podcasts, I am not only an avid weightlifter but a fan of the sport as well. I’m excited to share my newest adventure, a show dedicated to promoting weightlifting, while also looking back at some weightlifting history. I’ll share some of my own stories and interview weightlifters from both past and present.

    I competed in Olympic Weightlifting from 1981 to 1989 and powerlifting from 2011 to 2019. Although I wasn’t what one might call “a naturally gifted lifter,” I managed to clean & jerk 140 kilos/308 lbs at 179 lbs body weight. In my later years, I achieved a 600-pound deadlift and a 431-pound front squat in my mid-fifties. Although I was more successful in powerlifting, setting New Jersey and New York State records in Masters Competitions, I’ll always consider myself an Olympic Weightlifter. I’ve also written a book on weight training titled No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training, which is available on Amazon.

    No Nonsense, Old School Weightlifting book (Amazon affiliate link)

    I hope that you will enjoy the show, and please leave a comment or offer a suggestion. And if you’re an Olympic lifter, past or present, let me know if you’d like to set up an interview, and I’ll do my best to have you on the show. Stay strong and God bless!

    CHECK OUT YESTERDAY'S SPORTS (MY ORIGINAL SHOW)

    Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

    No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Interview with George Pjura - The Weightlifting Ageless Wonder
    Sep 12 2024

    NO NONSENSE, OLD SCHOOL WEIGHTLIFTING HISTORY is presented by the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    Few sports fans have heard of George Pjura. One reason is that Olympic Weightlifting is not a highly popular sport in the USA. Another reason is that George is humble and speaks little of his achievements. But those who know weightlifting know who George is.

    I've known George for roughly forty years, and we've trained together numerous times. I enjoy training with him because his approach to training is much like mine: no-nonsense and 100% focused! But training with him could also get a little frustrating because I wasn't on the same level as him. Although we were in the same weight class back then, it was hard to keep up with him because he was lifting heavier weights than me. I was an average Olympic lifter, maybe slightly above average. George was, and still is, a top-level lifter.

    We've remained friends throughout the years, and I decided to write an article about him and ask him for an interview......

    You can read the full blog post here.

    SHOW BACKGROUND

    My name is Mark Morthier, and I host yesterday’s Sports on the Sports History Network. As many of you know from reading my articles and listening to my podcasts, I am not only an avid weightlifter but a fan of the sport as well. I’m excited to share my newest adventure, a show dedicated to promoting weightlifting, while also looking back at some weightlifting history. I’ll share some of my own stories and interview weightlifters from both past and present.

    I competed in Olympic Weightlifting from 1981 to 1989 and powerlifting from 2011 to 2019. Although I wasn’t what one might call “a naturally gifted lifter,” I managed to clean & jerk 140 kilos/308 lbs at 179 lbs body weight. In my later years, I achieved a 600-pound deadlift and a 431-pound front squat in my mid-fifties. Although I was more successful in powerlifting, setting New Jersey and New York State records in Masters Competitions, I’ll always consider myself an Olympic Weightlifter. I’ve also written a book on weight training titled No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training, which is available on Amazon.

    No Nonsense, Old School Weightlifting book (Amazon affiliate link)

    I hope that you will enjoy the show, and please leave a comment or offer a suggestion. And if you’re an Olympic lifter, past or present, let me know if you’d like to set up an interview, and I’ll do my best to have you on the show. Stay strong and God bless!

    CHECK OUT YESTERDAY'S SPORTS (MY ORIGINAL SHOW)

    Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

    No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

    Show More Show Less
    33 mins

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