George Karl Julius Hackenschmidt (aka 'Hack' or 'The Russian Lion') was a strongman and championship wrestler in the early 1900s. He is now best remembered for a squat technique - the Hack Squat. This exercise focuses attention on the quadriceps - largely on the vastus medialis. In performing this lift in 1902 he knocked out a staggering 550 reps with 110 lb.

Technique

This is a pretty simple lift to get used to, and visually it is similar to completing a deadlift with the bar behind the back. Start with the bar elevated (using a rack, blocks or anything else adjustable) to a point about 4-6 inches below your glutes. Place a block of wood or a couple of plates on the ground in front of the rack, which will be used to elevate your heels by an inch or so.

Standing with your back to the bar, grab the bar and walk forward until your heels are on the block of wood. Keeping your back upright, and your glutes in the same vertical line, squat down by letting your knees come forward as far as possible. Once your knees have gone as far as they can, lower your hips. Reverse the process and return to the start position.

NB : Be careful not to round your shoulders, and make sure your hips are beneath your shoulders at the bottom position of the lift.

See also

EXRX (Exercise prescription)
www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Quadriceps/BBHackSquat.html

George Hackenschmidt: The Russian Lion
www.naturalstrength.com/history/detail.asp?ArticleID=308

Victor and Marjorie Rahmann at their wedding. Photo taken late 1950s.

Victor Rahmann was born in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia about 1914. In the late 1950s he married his cousin, Marjorie Rahmann.

Both Victor and Marjorie were school teachers (possibly teaching art?); Victor teaching in Brisbane. Also shared was a passion for photography.

Victor was one of the 'Rats of Tobruk'. He arrived home with a wounded shoulder aboard the Queen Mary in May 1942.

Marjorie died of cancer in the late 1960s / early 1970s.

Victor died around 1994.

Victor and Marjorie Rahmann at their wedding. Photo taken late 1950s.

Victor Rahmann was born in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia about 1914. In the late 1950s he married his cousin, Marjorie Rahmann.

Both Victor and Marjorie were school teachers (possibly teaching art?); Victor teaching in Brisbane. Also shared was a passion for photography.

Victor was one of the 'Rats of Tobruk'. He arrived home with a wounded shoulder aboard the Queen Mary in May 1942.

Marjorie died of cancer in the late 1960s / early 1970s.

Victor died around 1994.

Herbert William Rahmann was born 23 August 1886 in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. In the cricket season of 1924/25 he played for Queensland as a right-arm medium-pace bowler.

Herbert died in Nundah, Queensland, on 12 October 1957.

Herbert William Rahmann was born 23 August 1886 in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. In the cricket season of 1924/25 he played for Queensland as a right-arm medium-pace bowler.

Herbert died in Nundah, Queensland, on 12 October 1957.

Victor Rahmann, generally known as Arthur, was born 1887 in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. In 1909 he built a house in Alice St, Maryborough. By 1910 he had become a blacksmith, working for the Queensland Railways. In 1912 he joined the Masons. During WWI he was responsible for training soldiers.

Arthur married May Pedersen and together they had three children; Victor, Gladys Myrtle and Dulcie May. May died much earlier than Arthur, in 1963.

After the war he was best known as a cricketer, and was shocked at the introduction of the One Day International - the 'pyjama game'.

Arthur moved into a Brisbane apartment provided by the Masons around 1978/79.

Arthur passed away in 1987, having scored one more century for the record books.

Arthur Rahmann, May Pedersen and Kevin Bird. Taken at the Bird family home in Merrylands, New South Wales.

Arthur is shown here proudly wearing his Masons 70 year badge. (Photo © Darrel Bird, Oct 1982).

Victor Rahmann, generally known as Arthur, was born 1887 in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. In 1909 he built a house in Alice St, Maryborough. By 1910 he had become a blacksmith, working for the Queensland Railways. In 1912 he joined the Masons. During WWI he was responsible for training soldiers.

Arthur married May Pedersen and together they had three children; Victor, Gladys Myrtle and Dulcie May. May died much earlier than Arthur, in 1963.

After the war he was best known as a cricketer, and was shocked at the introduction of the One Day International - the 'pyjama game'.

Arthur moved into a Brisbane apartment provided by the Masons around 1978/79.

Arthur passed away in 1987, having scored one more century for the record books.

Arthur Rahmann, May Pedersen and Kevin Bird. Taken at the Bird family home in Merrylands, New South Wales.

Arthur is shown here proudly wearing his Masons 70 year badge. (Photo © Darrel Bird, Oct 1982).

Ada Mary Hardy was born 1876 in Durham, England. By age 6 she was living in Ferryhill. In 1891 (aged 16) she was living in Cornforth Lane, Cornforth.

She married a Mr Sterling sometime around 1900 - 1909. Together they had at least four children; Frederick, Doris, Cyril and Arnold.

Ada pased away in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1960.

See also

Northumberland & Durham Family History Society

Ada Mary Hardy was born 1876 in Durham, England. By age 6 she was living in Ferryhill. In 1891 (aged 16) she was living in Cornforth Lane, Cornforth.

She married a Mr Sterling sometime around 1900 - 1909. Together they had at least four children; Frederick, Doris, Cyril and Arnold.

Ada pased away in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1960.

See also

Northumberland & Durham Family History Society