Mark Berry Illinois Strength and Power HoF inductee 2022 (Contributor)

By Strength and Power Hall of Fame

Mark Berry

12/21/1896-7/13/1958

 

Mark was the ACWLA featherweight national champion several times in the 1920s. Mark also set national records in the featherweight class. In 1932, Mark was selected as the first coach of the United States Weightlifting Team. Mark was selected coach again for the 1936 Olympics.  Mark coached John Grimek on the 3 Olympic lifts, and John made the 1936 Olympic Team. In the 1920s and 1930s, Mark edited various magazines the Milo Barbell Company published, including Strength, The Strongman, and Physical Training Notes. In 1936, Mark started the Berry Barbell Company. In 1937, Mark was elected National Weightlifting Chairman. From the late 1930s to the 1950s, Mark was the head physical trainer for the Bur Barbell Company. Mark was an early advocate of the squat for building bulk and power. Mark authored several books and training courses that are still available today.

Mark spent most of his adult life supporting and promoting lifting for health benefits and a sport. Mark worked virtually all the major weightlifting competitions of his era and supported weightlifting financially.

Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Tue Oct 25 17:09:44 UTC 2022 | Last Updated: Tue Dec 26 17:07:48 UTC 2023