Alan Calvert (1875 – June 24, 1944) was an American weightlifter, businessman, magazine publisher, and the author of several books. He was the founder of one of the first barbell companies in the world and one of the first strength-training magazines in the United States.

Life

Calvert was born in 1875. He became a weightlifter after reading ''A Natural Methodist of Physical Training'' by Edwin Checkley. Calvert founded one of the earliest

barbell A barbell is a piece of exercise equipment used in weight training, bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting and strongman, consisting of a long bar, usually with weights attached at each end. Barbells range in length from to above , althou ...

companies in the world, the Milo Bar-bell Company, in Philadelphia in 1902. He was the founding publisher of ''Strength'', one of the first strength-training magazines in the United States, from 1914 to 1920. In 1919, he sold both the Milo Bar-bell Company and ''Strength'' magazine to Richard L. Hunter and Daniel G. Redmond in 1919. In 1932, the company was purchased by Bob Hoffman, who renamed it the

York Barbell York Barbell is an American-based international manufacturer of fitness products. Bob Hoffman, named "Father of World Weightlifting" by the International Weightlifting Federation, bought the Milo Barbell Company and founded York Barbell in 1932. ...

. Calvert wrote several books about weightlifting. In his writings, he promoted progressive strength training, and he argued: "There is no greater asset in the business world, and in the social world, than a fine physique." Calvert died on June 24, 1944, in

St. Davids, Pennsylvania St. Davids is a primarily residential neighborhood located in the eastern part of Wayne, Pennsylvania. It is served by its own train station. St. Davids is home to the main campus of Eastern University, a four-year, liberal arts university affili ...

. He is interred at

West Laurel Hill Cemetery West Laurel Hill Cemetery is a historic rural cemetery located in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1869, is 200 acres in size and contains the burials of many notable people. It is affiliated with Laurel Hill Cemetery in neighboring Ph ...

Bala Cynwyd Bala Cynwyd ( ) is a community in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania. It is located on the Philadelphia Main Line in Southeastern Pennsylvania, bordering the western edge of Philadelphia at U.S. Route 1 (City Avenue). It was originally two separ ...

, Pennsylvania.

Selected works

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Calvert, Alan 1875 births 1944 deaths American male weightlifters American publishers (people) Burials at West Laurel Hill Cemetery People associated with physical culture People from Delaware County, Pennsylvania Strength training writers