Editing George Hackenschmidt (section)

== Retirement and writing career ==
Following his second defeat at the hands of Gotch, upon returning to England, Hackenschmidt was preparing for a match with [[Stanislaus Zbyszko]] to take place the following June, but when he began working out he felt such pain in his right knee that it was painful even to walk. It necessitated surgery, but Hackenschmidt decided at that point to retire and pursue his other interests in philosophy, physical culture and gardening.<ref>Hackenschmidt, George (2011) ''The Way to Live'' (Modern Reprint Edition). {{ISBN|1466466308}}. p. 136.</ref>

Hackenschmidt was a pioneer in the field of weightlifting. He invented the exercise known as the [[Squat (exercise)|hack squat]], whose name is a reference to his own. Hackenschmidt also helped to popularize many other types of lifts common within the modern training regimen, such as the [[bench press]]. During his career, he established numerous weightlifting records, which were improved upon by others in ensuing decades.

Hackenschmidt was an educated man who spoke seven languages. He went on to write books, including ''Complete Science of Wrestling'' (1909), ''Man and Cosmic Antagonism to Mind and Spirit'' (1935), ''Fitness and Your Self'' (1937), ''Consciousness and Character: True Definitions of Entity, Individuality, Personality, Nonentity'' (1937), ''The Way to Live in Health and Physical Fitness'' (1941), and ''The Three Memories and Forgetfulness: What They Are and What Their True Significance Is in Human Life''. He also taught physical education to members of the House of Lords and served as a judge at the 1948 Mr. Universe show in London won by John Grimek.<ref name="sandowplus"/>

His book ''Man and Cosmic Antagonism to Mind and Spirit'' was the personal philosophy he developed while interned as a prisoner-of-war in Germany.<ref>Tames, Richard. (2005). ''Sporting London: A Race Through Time''. p. 155. {{ISBN|978-1905286065}}</ref>

Hackenschmidt was already hospitalized at St. Francis Hospital in Dulwich, a suburb of London, when he died on 19 February 1968. He was 90 years old.<ref>''Boston Globe'', "Hackenschmidt Dies, Old-Time Mat Star 91", 20 February 1968, p. 24.</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gentle|first=David|url=http://www.bobwhelan.com/history/hackenschmidt2.htm|title=GEORGE HACKENSCHMIDT: THE RUSSIAN LION. PART TWO|access-date=29 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017085845/http://www.bobwhelan.com/history/hackenschmidt2.htm|archive-date=17 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was cremated at [[West Norwood Cemetery]], where his memorial plaque records him as George Hackenschmidt.<ref>[https://www.discoveringbritain.org/content/discoveringbritain/walk%20booklets/West%20Norwood%20DB%20walk%20-%20written%20guide.pdf A self-guided walk around West Norwood Cemetery]</ref>