Eugen Sandow was a German strongman, circus performer and strength athlete considered by historians to be the "father of modern bodybuilding." Sandow's physique was known around the world as he pioneered the concept of training the body to achieve a specific look. More importantly, Sandow made popular the notion of exercising for good health. In the first installment of the Rogue Legends series, we travel to England, Belgium, France and Austin, TX to uncover Sandow's legacy.
ON LOCATION
Explore the map to learn more about the landmarks visited in the film.
England
Belgium
France
Sandow's Home
Located in the Kensington neighborhood of London, Sandow's home — where he lived and died — is registered as an official English Heritage site and as such is maintained by the English Heritage Trust.
Royal Albert Hall
In 1901, Sandow organized the world’s first major bodybuilding competition in London's Royal Albert Hall. The venue was so full that people were turned away at the door. Among the judges was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes series.
Sandow's Grave
At the time of his death in 1925, Sandow was buried in an unmarked grave in Putney Vale Cemetery at the request of his wife, Blanche. In 2008, the grave was purchased by Chris Davies, Sandow's great-great-grandson who installed a new, one-and-a-half-ton natural pink sandstone monument at the site.
Sandow Sculpture
This unique sculpture of Sandow was made by applying a plaster cast to his body over the course of a month. Sandow would sit for hours every day, tensing his body while the cast dried, in order to have an accurate representation of his physique in the bronze. It is located at Bowman Sculpture in London.
Eagle's nest sculpture
Located in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts Belgiums in Brussels, "The Eagle's Nest" is a sculpture completed by Joseph Lambeaux in 1890 which depicts Sandow attempting to rob eggs from an eagle's perch. Though not officially listed as Sandow's likeness, Lambeaux and Sandow both acknowledged the strongman posed for the sculpture.
Sandow's Spring-grip Dumbbells
Sandow's Spring-Grip Dumbbells, located at the Sportimonium: The Sports Museum in Brussels. In addition to being a strength icon Sandow was an eager businessman and didn't shy away from capitalizing on his name.
Musée National du Sport
Sandow frequently posed for sculptors and painters as a way to make meager money when performances were sparse. Because of this there are many artistic representations of his likeness.
Sandow's Home
Located in the Kensington neighborhood of London, Sandow's home — where he lived and died — is registered as an official English Heritage site and as such is maintained by the English Heritage Trust.
Royal Albert Hall
In 1901, Sandow organized the world’s first major bodybuilding competition in London's Royal Albert Hall. The venue was so full that people were turned away at the door. Among the judges was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes series.
Sandow's Grave
At the time of his death in 1925, Sandow was buried in an unmarked grave in Putney Vale Cemetery at the request of his wife, Blanche. In 2008, the grave was purchased by Chris Davies, Sandow's great-great-grandson who installed a new, one-and-a-half-ton natural pink sandstone monument at the site.
Sandow Sculpture
This unique sculpture of Sandow was made by applying a plaster cast to his body over the course of a month. Sandow would sit for hours every day, tensing his body while the cast dried, in order to have an accurate representation of his physique in the bronze. It is located at Bowman Sculpture in London.
Eagle's nest sculpture
Located in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts Belgiums in Brussels, "The Eagle's Nest" is a sculpture completed by Joseph Lambeaux in 1890 which depicts Sandow attempting to rob eggs from an eagle's perch. Though not officially listed as Sandow's likeness, Lambeaux and Sandow both acknowledged the strongman posed for the sculpture.
Sandow's Spring-grip Dumbbells
Sandow's Spring-Grip Dumbbells, located at the Sportimonium: The Sports Museum in Brussels. In addition to being a strength icon Sandow was an eager businessman and didn't shy away from capitalizing on his name.
Musée National du Sport
Sandow frequently posed for sculptors and painters as a way to make meager money when performances were sparse. Because of this there are many artistic representations of his likeness.
Image Gallery
