No, not "Tranny-Anus" you perverts...
The Magic CircleInvented many years earlier by a Utah lifter named James Douglass. Suffering from a back injury, set to work on a new way to squat heavily and safely. Hence the ‘Magic Circle.’
Adapted by Peary Rader in the 1960s and promoted heavily during the 1970s through Rader’s own Ironman magazine ( Priced at only $44.50 ), the ‘Magic Circle’ was advertised as a new venture for squatting enthusiasts. By redistributing the weight throughout the body, the ‘Magic Circle’ promised to provide all the benefits of the back squat without the need for precision like form.
The Circle’ could be used for a variety of exercises. quarter, half and full squats — for doing Hise Shoulder Shrugs and other heavy poundage exercises where weight is held on shoulders.
Magic Circle” is loaded up on the side pegs (unless you go over 700 lbs., in which case you have front and back pegs to load on), step in the circle (which is supported on side horses or boxes), lift shoulder straps onto shoulders, center straps, stand erect and walk away from stand and begin squats in normal manner.
No more getting stuck at bottom
If you get stuck at bottom you place hands on legs and push upward to recover. -
Peary Rader, ‘The Magic Circle and its Uses’, Ironman Magazine (1967).
