Louis Cyr: The Workout Routine and Diet of the Strongest Man in History

Louis Cyr, a real-life superhero known for his extraordinarily strong feats, was an extremely strong man from the late 1800s. He’s the strongest man alive, according to former ‘International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness’ chairman, Ben Weider.

Louis, born in Saint Cyprien in 1863, kickstarted his strongman adventures at 17, weighing 213 pounds. His extraordinary strength not only made him a superstar but also etched his name in the history of strength.

Louis Cyr’s Crazy Strength

Louis did things that no one else could. In 1895, he lifted 4,000 pounds by putting sixteen guys on a platform on his back. This is like lifting a small car with people on it!

He once demonstrated his incredible strength by halting the movement of four large horses establishing him as an unparalleled legend in the field of strength. Back then, they didn’t have fancy gyms or training, so Louis doing this makes him the ultimate strongest guy ever.

Growing Up Strong

Louis started in a small place called St. Cyprien, where he worked hard on a farm and with lumber. When he was a teenager, he saved a stuck wagon like it was no big deal, and everyone was amazed. This was the beginning of his strongman life.

As he got older, Louis traveled around a lot, doing strongman stuff and even being a cop in Montreal. In 1886, he teamed up with Richard K. Fox, who worked for the National Police Gazette. This made him super famous worldwide.

Now, imagine lifting heavy things, pulling wagons, and being a cop! That was Louis Cyr’s life.

Louis Cyr’s Impressive Records

  • Two-Handed Overhead Push: Lifted 124 kilos, about 273 pounds.
  • Clean to Shoulder and Slow Press: Managed 136 kilos, roughly 299 pounds.
  • Right and Left Hand Clean Sweep: Lifted 78 kilos, around 172 pounds.
  • One-Handed Sideways Push: Pushed 47 kilos, approximately 104 pounds.
  • Barrel Shoulder Lift: Raised a cement barrel weighing 141 kilos, about 310½ pounds.
  • Single Finger Platform Lift: Lifted 247 kilos, approximately 535 pounds, using one finger.
  • Four-Horse Arm Resistance: Withstood the strength of four heavy dray horses pulling in opposite directions.
  • Platform Lift on Back: Lifted a platform weighing 1,645 kilos, approximately 3626 pounds, with 16 men on it.

Louis Cyr’s Workout Principle

Louis Cyr’s workout routine was a mix of traditional strength training and strongman-inspired exercises. He focused on compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses, aiming for lower rep ranges (5-8 reps) with heavy weights, training three to four times a week.

Cyr also incorporated unconventional strongman activities such as wagon pulls and grip strength exercises, emphasizing not just lifting but holding heavy objects. Despite his massive size, he surprised many with his endurance, including short, intense cardiovascular sessions.

This training style mirrored the late 1800s when formal gyms were limited, highlighting Cyr’s commitment to strength and endurance in that era.

Louis Cyr’s Workout Routine and Diet

Louis Cyr’s Workout Routine and Diet
Statue of Louis Cyr at Montreal, Canada / Meunierd / Dreamstime.com

While specific details about his workout routine and diet plan are not documented, we can certainly draw inspiration from his era and design a workout routine and diet that align with the principles of strength training and nutrition.

Louis Cyr Inspired Workout Program

Two-Handed Overhead Push

  • Weight: 124 kilos (273 pounds)
  • Reps: 3 sets x 8 reps
  • Technique: Lift the weight from ground to overhead, focusing on controlled movements.

Clean to Shoulder and Slow Press

  • Weight: 136 kilos (299 pounds)
  • Reps: 4 sets x 6 reps
  • Technique: Execute a clean to shoulders and press overhead slowly, emphasizing muscle engagement.

Right and Left Hand Clean Sweep

  • Weight: 78 kilos (172 pounds)
  • Reps: 3 sets x 10 reps (alternating)
  • Technique: Perform a snatch-like movement, lifting the weight overhead without a dip under.

One-Handed Sideways Push

  • Weight: 47 kilos (104 pounds)
  • Reps: 3 sets x 12 reps (each side)
  • Technique: Hold the weight at right angles to the body and push it out sideways with a slight body bend.

Barrel Shoulder Lift

  • Weight: 141 kilos (310½ pounds)
  • Reps: 3 sets x 6 reps
  • Technique: Lift a cement barrel from the ground to the shoulder using one hand only.

Single Finger Platform Lift

  • Weight: 247 kilos (535 pounds)
  • Reps: 3 sets x 5 reps
  • Technique: Lift a weight while standing astride, using the single finger to elevate the platform.

Four-Horse Arm Resistance

  • Duration: Hold for 1 minute
  • Technique: Mimic the strength needed to resist the pulling force of four heavy dray horses.

Platform Lift on Back

  • Weight: 1,645 kilos (3626 pounds)
  • Reps: 1 set (lifting the platform)
  • Technique: Lift a platform supported by two trestles with a combined weight of 16 men.

Note: This workout program is an interpretation inspired by the incredible feats of Louis Cyr, aiming to capture the essence of his strength and resistance. Adjust weights and repetitions based on individual fitness levels and consult with a fitness professional before attempting such intense exercises.

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Louis Cyr’s Diet

Cyr was known for his enormous appetite. He consumed a high-calorie diet to support the demands of intense strength training.

Here are some interesting facts about his diet;

  • Cyr loved eating contests more than lifting contests.
  • In one sitting, he could eat more food than four normal men.
  • He was used to having six pounds of meat for breakfast.
  • Cyr took pleasure in surprising waiters with his hefty food orders
  • He often challenged others to prove their eating prowess.
  • He often competed with Barre in eating challenges, including a contest where they raced to finish a twenty-two-pound suckling pig

Despite the humor surrounding his eating habits, Cyr’s relationship with food was a perpetual struggle, turning him, in a sense, into a “slave to the table.” [1]

Note: Louis Cyr’s era had different nutritional knowledge and training methodologies compared to today. Individual preferences, goals, and our contemporary knowledge of health and fitness should guide any adjustments made to the workout routine and diet plan. It’s advisable to consult with a fitness professional or a nutritionist to craft a plan for your specific needs and conditions.

Eating for Strength

In 1904, Louis Cyr got very heavy, around 400 pounds, by eating a lot to stay strong, which caused health problems.[2] Because of kidney disease, heart issues, trouble breathing, and leg paralysis, Cyr had to eat less and retire from the field around 1900.

In 1906, when he was 43, Cyr came out of retirement to compete with 26-year-old Hector Decaire, who said he was the world’s strongest man. Cyr won and kept his title.

Yet six years later at the age of 49, Louis Cyr, the extraordinary strongman, passed away. It is worth noting that Cyr’s excessive eating and inactivity were the contributing factors to his untimely death.

Despite the health concerns, Cyr’s diet played a significant role in his strongman career and contributed to his iconic status in the world of strength athletics.

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Summing Up

Louis Cyr was an incredibly strong guy. He did crazy things like lifting a bunch of people on his back. He started in a small town, did strongman stuff, became a famous cop, and made a lasting impact on the history of strength athletics. Even with challenges and setbacks, his influence on the world of strength sports is unmatched.

However, it’s important to note that we don’t recommend emulating him in all aspects of life.

His legacy continues, reminding us of the incredible strength and abilities of this extraordinary French-Canadian strongman.

Reference

  1. Prentice, A. M. (2001). Overeating: The Health Risks. Obesity Research, 9(S11), 234S-238S. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2001.124
  2. Williams, G. (2016, January 15). Binge Eating and Binge Eating Disorder in Athletes: A Review of Theory and Evidence. Health Writers S.L.U. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2001.124
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