Calle Sven's 'Minnen från ring och arena'

Carl Svensson (1957), Tidens förlag

I have briefly written previously about the early phases of the iron game in Sweden (LINK). Sport historian Ulf Salvin's kindly commented and generously suggested, that I look up Calle Sven's autobiography 'Minnen från ring och arena' if I wanted to find more old kettlebell pictures.

It was easy to find the book second hand online (I even had several to chose from), and I paid just 50 kr.

Calle Sven (born Carl Svensson) was an old school strongman, circus artist and boxer. The title means "memories from ring and arena". It's a biography over the writer, as well as the initial attempts to start local strength training clubs. There are also several portraits of other strongmen. Albeit a lot of mention of "kulor" (balls, ie kettlebells), there is no detailed information on training with, or lifting, them.

There's several pictures of Swedish athletes with bells. Most photos are from the 1890's.

The book is well written and entertaining. Besides training related stuff, what I appreciated the most was that the book pictures in a very interesting way how it was to grow up and live in Stockholm in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

To sum up, if you find one copy, get it!

Posted in: Calle Sven's 'Minnen från ring och arena'