Siegmund "Sig" Klein: The World's Best Built Man
“The stronger the body the more it obeys, the weaker the body the more it commands.” -Siegmund “Sig” Klein
Bodybuilding has lost it’s way. Currently we are in an era where it is size at all cost and the sacrifice is health. As I’ve been exploring the training and lifestyle of the Bronze and Silver Era bodybuilders and strongmen, I’ve come to believe this was the peak of holistic physical development. The individuals from these eras were strong, had amazing physiques, displayed excellent athleticism, and did so long before anabolic steroids infected this industry. The books I’ve acquired from the early 1900s have been a nice escape from the modern day clown show that bodybuilding has become. One of my favorite individuals, who’s life spanned the Bronze, Silver, and Golden Eras, is Siegmund Klein.
Sig was born in Germany on April 10, 1902, and moved with his family to Cleveland, Ohio in 1903. Being from northeast Ohio myself could explain the kinship I feel with Sig, even though I never met him.
At the age of 12 Sig began reading strength magazines and started working out with window counterweights. By the time he turned 17 he was training with proper barbells. This was the start of an amazing career in physical culture. According to the late Bill Pearl, Sig appeared on the covers of nearly every physical culture magazine worldwide. He took over operation of the New York City gym previously owned by Professor Attila, a prominent individual in physical culture history and mentor to legendary strongman and performer Eugen Sandow. Sig would later marry Attila’s daughter Grace.
In 1926, one year after being named the world’s best built man by La Culture Physique magazine, Sig left Attila’s gym to open his own location in NYC, Klein’s Physical Culture Studio.
Sig published his own magazine, Klein’s Bell, which later merged with Bob Hoffman’s Strength and Health magazine. In addition, he published a book on his bodybuilding barbell course titled Super Physique, a work that will rival any modern-day training program in my opinion.
Sig preferred to train the entire body three times per week. His workouts involve 1 or 2 sets per muscle group utilizing barbells, dumbbells, or kettlebells. His training philosophy was “train for shape and strength will follow.” He favored sets of 5-20 repetitions for his exercises and suggested moderation in all things, so as not to become a slave to the barbells or physical culture.
Sig closed his gym for good in 1974, and on May 24, 1987, passed away at the age of 85.
I hope you enjoyed this article and until next time, stay strong and healthy!