Only 600 were ever made. Now the long-discontinued leg press machine has become a meme—and lifters are traveling to far-flung gyms just to try it.

Gains are just around the corner.

The 1.4-ounce female Northern cardinal was squawking and squirming between Brian Rademacher’s fingers and then bit his hand, leaving a red mark, as he prepared to release her after putting a tiny ...