The history of Physical Culture this week with Dr Conor Heffernan of the University of Texas at Austin talking about his research into physical culture in Ireland in the twentieth century, as well as the history of weightlifting and the search for the 1000lb bench press. There’s chat about Sinn Fein’s trash-talking of the English physique in the 1900s and an insight into the use of tennis balls and tight towels in power-lifting. You can also read his article on Irish body building at the excellent Playing Pasts website.

Conor also talks about his role as the BSSH’s ECR and Post-Grad rep, and flags up the BSSH’s online 2020 conference – click here to register!

Dr. Conor Heffernan is Assistant Professor of Physical Culture and Sport Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. His research interest is late nineteenth and early twentieth century body cultures in Great Britain and the United States. Outside of academia, Conor also runs Physical Culture Study, a website dedicated to the history of health and fitness, and provides content for several fitness outlets.

BSSH Podcast Sport BSSH history ireland Irish History Physical Culture Sport History Weightlifting