Chris “Sticks” Bostick
The MOI Collection
Chris ‘Sticks’ Bostick
(1951 - 2019)
Chris was a friend, fellow iron lifter, and a longtime contributor to Muscles of Iron. He often intertwined his passion for art with his devotion to physical culture. Through this union, he produced a dazzling array of muscle-cartoon drawings. ‘Sticks’ also left behind several writings which captured and preserved his broad and insightful thoughts about productive strength training. His work output was both enormous in scope and a testament to his ingenuity and originality.
When I first met Chris, I was blown away by his mechanical foresight and aptitude. He designed, illustrated, and built his own exercise equipment with the upmost of talent. He had a design plan to solve just about any training problem, both elegantly and economically. I can't tell you how many times I looked at a piece of strength equipment ‘Sticks’ built and thought to myself, “Why didn't I think of that?”
Although Chris is no longer with us, we can still enjoy and benefit from his vast muscle-building catalog of articles, drawings, and tidbits. Many of these works were written or produced specifically for Muscles of Iron.
The purpose of this memorial is to showcase the great work “Sticks” did for MOI. This showcase is both a tribute to my lost friend and a gift to the lifting community he so much revered. You will surely be find many gems here that will help you build strength, muscle and power.
Yours in strength,
Robert Drucker
Articles
Beef Up Your Arms with Swing Bell Curls
Here's an old exercise that can add a new twist to your arm training. As a bonus, see how to build a larger rib-box with the SB pullover.
Build a Lat Machine With a Gin Wheel
Develop a muscle-studded back and horseshoe triceps with this versatile apparatus. Fast and easy construction. Easy on your wallet, too.
Build a Wooden Weight Bench
Why spend a small fortune for a flimsy commercial bench? Build this instead for cheap. It makes a great addition to any gym.
Build a Steel-Frame Weight Bench
An alternative bench-building plan for steel lovers. Far better and less expensive than most commercial offerings. Looks cool too!
Train as a Unit
Looking for a better way to build muscle? Abbreviated whole-body training may be just what you need.
Secure Your Bar with Shaft Collars
There is no need to spend a lot of money on commercial weight-bar collars. Don't get shafted; buy shaft collars instead and save big.
Sledge-Hammer Training
See how ‘The Mighty Norse Hammer Man’ turns a pair of sledge hammers into a muscle-building workshop for the arms and delts.
The First Step for Better Calves
You don't need fancy equipment to build super-sized calves. If you have access to a staircase, you have everything you need.
Hacker on Board
The Hack Squat requires just a barbell, and its a solid cure for skinny legs. Work this exercise and watch your quads blossom.
Tidbits
Hanging Out at the End of the Bar
Don't overlook the “end-of-the-bar” rowing exercise. This little gem is a terrific back builder. Great for the biceps and rear delts, too.
Squat/Bench Rack with Kee Klamps
Forget your store-bought model. Build this hefty power rack from pipes and Kee Klamps. No welding. No pipe drilling. It doesn't get simpler than this!
A Simple Weight Rack
Here's another barbell rack you can build with pipe and Kee Klamps. It's perfect for heavy press work. I gotta believe Doug Heburn would like this one.
Sword-Hole Power-Rack Attachment
Add muscle-building versatility to your power rack with this easy-to-build apparatus. Great for “Viking-style” presses, benches, rows, deadlifts, and more.
Four-Way Neck Tension
It is impossible to be a strongman with a skinny and scrawny neck. Here is a starter program for taking your neck up a level or two in record time.
Yoke Walk Apparatus
Yoke walking is one of the best exercises for developing strength, stability, power, and endurance. Here's a plan you can use to build your own yoke apparatus.
Squat Frame for Leg Work
Working your legs with the squat frame apparatus can cause a serious side effect—rapid muscle growth and big strength gains! So, check out this drawing and get building.
Harvey Maxime Apparatus
Before the power rack, this device was considered one the greatest inventions for building strength and muscle. Build your own HMA and discover why.
Static Holds
Learn how static holds can be incorporated into your workout to build thick and powerful shoulders. All you need is a bucket and some sand.
Running and the Weight Man
Do you think a muscle man can't benefit from a little running? You might want to rethink what you think after reading what Sticks has to say about it.
Kee Klamp Rack
This rack functions as a yoke walk device, and it can easily be converted to a complete Harvey Maxime apparatus. It's an amazing muscle builder.
Peoples, Grimek, and Moore
Sticks reflects on Bob Peoples and his “dungeon” gym, John Grimek working his back with a “gin-wheel” lat machine, and Moore's Leg Blaster. Great oldtime pics!