"Peak Human"

In superhero fiction, the term "peak human" is used with some frequency, almost always to describe heroes such as Green Arrow, or Batman who have no superhuman abilities. Well, some time ago, I was researching the upper limitations of the human body, when I came across an article describing the strongest man in recorded human history - Louis Cyr. Cyr was a Canadian strongman who lived during the mid 19th century who, by age eighteen, was able to lift a fully grown horse off the ground. The weight of the horse was estimated at roughly three quarters of a ton, which would put it at roughly 1,500 pounds. Perhaps his greatest feat of strength was a demonstration in which he lifted 18 men, all standing on a platform (Presumably of concrete, or stone) on his back, which weighed in at a grand total of 4,337 pounds. More than two full tons.
Just for reference, an average adult grizzly bear weighs in at anywhere between 400 to 800 pounds, and an average modern automobile is about 4000... Which means that this man could almost certainly have lifted a car.
The world's fastest man, who is still alive today, is an Olympic sprinter who clocked in at over 60 miles per hour, matching the top speed of an African Cheetah. For those of you who use the metric system, that's approximately 100 kilometers per hour, both of which well exceed the speed limit for motor vehicles within any city I know of.

Now, obviously these are extreme cases - most of us may never become half this strong or fast, even with dedicated training, but I thought you guys may find it inspirational to know just how close we can get to the ideals of superheroism. Admittedly, this is still a far cry from Superman or the Hulk, or the Flash or Quicksilver, but I think most people severely under-estimate what "ordinary human beings, with no super powers" are truly capable of. Just because we may not have godlike powers does not mean we aren't capable of great things, or even things many consider to be completely beyond the reach of human prowess.

I have some of the books on these historical guys that I received from a roommate who was a powerlifter.



It is important to remember that these guys were NOT doing steroids.

( Sure,

they didn't spend a lot of time doing much else but...they did the deeds)

also don't let your preception of age limit you either. I'm 63 and those who have met me can tell you I'm pretty well preserved and still have some power behind my moves

several film crews have found it hard to keep up with me when I'm doing.

YAY for AGE!!!!!

I'm 52.5 and i just did 19 floors climb 8x!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



WOOOHOOO!!!!



Me 'n' You THANATOS!!!!!!

you hear that people?

GET OFF OUR LAWNS!!!!!!

HHEHEEHEHEHEHEEEE!!!

Cyr's abilities are thought to have been greatly exaggerated and were never tested under controlled conditions. Usian Bolt is the fastest man known and can run for very short distances at around 28 mph, far slower than a cheetah's 70 plus mph. The CHORD project has required me to study the subject of human potential exhaustively.

thanatos wrote:

you hear that people?

GET OFF OUR LAWNS!!!!!!

Make sure you shake your fist when you say that.

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This is Kelly Nelson, at 77 years old. There are many other bodybuilders who are over 80, and physically function at higher capacities than most people do in their 20's. It just goes to show that sometimes, age really is just a number! I work out every single day without fail, and I can only hope to look and feel that good when I get to be as old. It's just a matter of taking care of your body, really. Well... That, and a little luck with good genes.

Unproven claims abound, and even make the history books in our schools. We all know who made the first American flag, or do we? The story of Betsy Ross was told by her family almost 80 years after the "fact", for instance. If I hear a story of a human lifting over two tons, or running as fast as a cheetah, I call bullshit.

Gauge wrote:

Unproven claims abound, and even make the history books in our schools. We all know who made the first American flag, or do we? The story of Betsy Ross was told by her family almost 80 years after the "fact", for instance. If I hear a story of a human lifting over two tons, or running as fast as a cheetah, I call bullshit.

It's safe to assume they're cyborgs and I, for one, am not negotiating with a fucking cyborg.

I understand your skepticism, Gauge. For what it's worth, although the strongest man lived in the nineteenth century, I believe several of his feats were officially documented. The fastest man in recorded history, Usain Bolt, however, is still alive, at only 25 years old. He performed his feats of speed at the Olympic games, finishing the 100 meter dash in under ten seconds, which would put his top speed at roughly ten meters per second, or 37.5 kilometers an hour, or 23 miles per hour.

Admittedly, this is far less than Cheetah speeds, or motor vehicle speeds, but it is certainly impressive nonetheless. I apologize for the exaggeration and lack of research on my part, but I hope many of you will still find this inspirational.

In purely inspirational terms, these feats make great stories. And the case of Usain Bolt is not in doubt, as I saw him run. The strength is puzzling, and I wonder how it was documented, and how the weight was measured and the lift was achieved.

C C Where did you find that pic of my 4th grade teacher?

tee hee!

Is that you Flora in the bra with the dress?

yah yah. too old to be invited to earn money belly dancing any more



but, mostly, in DC a girl needs to be burnette-looking

for authentic belly dance.

I look Irishy and, more importantly, too muscular/fitnessy.



That, and my impairment- cleavage-impairment.



I get a discount at the Renaisance Faire

Cleavage Impairment??

Never heard that one before

They has as special door at the Faire.

If you can fit through, sideways,

you only pay the "A" or "AA" price

Nice

thanatos wrote:

also don't let your preception of age limit you either. I'm 63 and those who have met me can tell you I'm pretty well preserved and still have some power behind my moves

several film crews have found it hard to keep up with me when I'm doing.

Wait, you're 63?!? Mind=Blown

yep.



now everyone get off my lawn

Thanatos needs the room so I can clear off the ice and snow! You catch my drift?

@Shade Gargoyle: Thank you for creating this topic! I feel it's importnat that people don't limit themselves by saying things like "I'm only human." And stuff like that, the Human Mind and the Human body are capable of so much more than many can realize. Mind over matter. I also agree with age not being of any great significance; when I was twelve I tested my running skills and it got up to 20 miles an hour. Then again i weighed ninety pounds and was on the run from a bunch of sadistic doctors at the School....but still; if your mind/body can do it once, then it can do it again, and if you try to increase your limits you will prevail with determination. I try telling people this but all too often they insist on calling bullshit without even trying to beat their current limits. It's very frustrating but i guess eventually they'll learn. Thanks again for putting this up; people like you and I are people that will inspire humanity to go above and beyond what they previously thought was possible and more. Godspeed, Shade Gargoyle!



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