In the golden age of the circus, one name reigned supreme over both men and women: Katie Sandwina. Born Katharina Brumbach, she wasn’t just a performer; she was a physical phenomenon who shattered every Victorian-era stereotype about female strength.
From wrestling 100 men to overhead pressing the “perfect male specimen,” Sandwina’s legacy as an FMC pioneer remains the gold standard for muscle isolation and raw power.
In this article:
About Katie
- Years Lived: 1884–1952
- Also Known As: “The Lady Hercules,” “The Great Sandwina”
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 210 lbs
- FMC Talent: Used muscle isolation to make her 6’1″ frame look like a work of art during “heavy” transitions.
The Showdown That Changed History
Katie’s rise to global fame began with a dare. In New York City, she challenged Eugen Sandow, the man considered the father of modern bodybuilding and the “World’s Strongest Man.”
The contest was simple: lift progressively heavier weights until one person failed. When the weight reached 300 pounds, Sandow could only hoist it to his chest. Katie, with seemingly effortless grace, pressed the 300-pound weight over her head with one hand.
To commemorate the victory, she adopted the feminized version of his name, and “The Great Sandwina” was born.
Iconic Feats of Strength
Katie’s act at the Barnum & Bailey Circus was the stuff of legends. She didn’t just lift iron; she turned her strength into a theatrical masterpiece. Her most famous routines included:
- The Human Barbell: She would famously lift her husband, Max Heymann (who weighed 165 lbs), above her head with just one arm.
- The Iron Bridge: Katie would support a wooden bridge on her chest while horses and people walked across it.
- The Cannon Toss: She frequently balanced a 600-pound cannon on her shoulders and juggled 30-pound cannonballs.
A Legacy of Power and Activism
Beyond the big top, Sandwina was a fierce advocate for women’s rights. In 1912, she served as the Vice President of the Suffragette Ladies of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. She proved that a woman could be incredibly powerful, “small-boned” or not, while maintaining a presence that the media described as “as pretty as a picture.”
After retiring from the spotlight at age 57, Katie and Max opened a bar and grill in Queens, New York. Even in her 60s, she would famously entertain patrons by breaking iron chains and bending steel bars for anyone who doubted her legend.
Katie Sandwina remains an inspiration for the FMC community today—a reminder that true strength knows no gender and that a “work of art” is often forged in the fires of heavy iron.
Learn More About FMC Pioneers
Several Victorian circus performers started the Female Muscle Control trend. When choosing a historical FMC GOAT, Katie Sandwina joins the conversation with excellent company, including Charmion and Vulcana.