Bodybuilding Legends – Part XXII

March, 12 2009

Staff Sergeant Alfred Moss
The Strongest Man in the British Army

Staff Sergeant Moss won the British Army Gymnastics Competition in 1900 and held a 1st Class Certificate for Gymnastics Instruction, which allowed him to teach the sport to children, women and men for over 20 years. The rank of Staff Sergeant was earned in distinguished service during the Great War (WWI) but it was much earlier, while detached to what was then the British colony of India that he developed into the strongman who later worked Music Halls with the likes of Cyr, Sandow and Professor Attila.

The Indian Clubs marketed in North America during the late 1800s and early 1900s were typically bowling pin sized and made of wood. Rarely, did they weigh more than 3 pounds. Although capable of building muscle size and strength, they did not compare to the Indian Clubs used in India. Consider the challenge presented to a fitness enthusiast working out with a club known as an Ekka. This monster stood 6-foot, 9-inches high. Although its weight is not known, you can imagine it tipping the scales at well over 50 pounds – even if carved from one of the lighter weight varieties of wood. Heaving Indian Clubs like the Ekka helped Sgt. Moss perform impressive feats, like the time be lifted a 56-pound block weight 100 times in just under 3 minutes.

As you can see from the image at right, Sgt. Moss sported a very impressive physique. In 1902, he entered Bernarr Macfadden's Best & Most Perfectly Developed Man competition which was conducted in England as well as the United States. He was considered an early favorite, bigger and better developed than the eventual winner, Al Treloar. But Sgt. Moss was disqualified for the brightly colored tattoos he acquired while stationed in India.