Tuesday, March 02, 2010
John Davis at Muscle BeachJohn Davis was among the many famous visitors to Muscle Beach during its heyday. This picture was probably taken during the period of time when Davis spent some time out on the West Coast training at Yarick's Gym. Looks like around 300 pounds on the bar.
Labels: Clean and Jerk, Ed Yarick's Gym, John Davis, Muscle Beach, olympic weightlifter
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Thursday, February 04, 2010
Chuck AhrensChuck Ahrens was never interested in showing off so no one really knew what he was capable of. Things like this had a lot of people wondering just exactly what his limits were. I count twelve 10-pound plates and 2 smaller ones, likely 7-1/2 pounders, for each dumbbell -- that's approximately 135 pounds per hand - and Chuck reportedly pressed them with ridiculous ease. Even dressed in a baggy, flannel shirt, you can tell Chuck Ahrens was built for some serious horse power.
Labels: Chuck Ahrens, dumbbell lifting, Muscle Beach, Two Dumbbell Press
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010
George EifermanGeorge Eiferman, '48 Mr. America and '62 Mr. Universe is shown here in his natural environment: the sands of Muscle Beach, Santa Monica, California. Needless to say he was famous for his chest development.
Labels: 1948 Mr. America, 1962 Mr. Universe, George Eiferman, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Muscle Beach
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Tuesday, August 25, 2009
| Hugo Labra was a popular West Coast Bodybuilder. Originally from Peru, South American, Labra made his home in Los Angeles and was firmly a part of the Muscle Beach scene. Labra placed very high in almost all the contests he entered. In his first contest, he placed second (the 1960 Mr. California contest, one that he would win the next year.) He won the 1960 AAU Mr. Los Angeles title shortly afterwards then the 1961 AAU Mr. California title. He also took second and the Most Muscular title at the 1962 AAU Mr. America contest 6th in the 1963 AAU Mr. America contest and his class in the 1963 and 1964 IFBB Mr. America contest. Some of Labra's training methods are outlined in The Dellinger Files. |  Hugo Labra |
Labels: 1962 Mr. America Contest, 1963 Mr. America Contest, AAU, Bodybuilder, Hugo Labra, IFBB, Mr. California, Mr. Los Angeles, Muscle Beach
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Friday, August 14, 2009
Power by PaulHas there ever been a more powerful man walk the Earth than Paul Anderson? A feat like this one certainly helps make the case. At an exhibition at Muscle Beach Big Paul put 500 pounds overhead after taking it off some racks. Not only that but he made it look easy.
Labels: Barbell Lift, Jerk, Muscle Beach, Overhead Lift, Paul Anderson, Power
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Monday, August 10, 2009
Dave AshmanThe great lifter Dave Ashman gets in a few squats with 565 lbs. at a training session at Muscle Beach. Like many successful lifters, Ashman ascribed much of his full body power to focusing on the squat. - When you can squat 500+ in sunglasses no less, you know you're really doing something.
Labels: Dave Ashman, Muscle Beach, olympic weightlifter, Squat
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Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Pudgy StocktonThe old saying "A hard woman is good to find" may have been in reference to Pudgy Stockton. Ya gotta love a gal who can put more than bodyweight overhead. In this case, a clean & jerk of 135 lbs. at a bodyweight of only 118 lbs. Keep in mind that this was back in the 1940's - and in sand no less.
Labels: Clean and Jerk, Muscle Beach, Pudgy Stockton
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Thursday, April 16, 2009
Joe RagusaStrongman Joe Ragusa does a... actually I don't know what you call this one.. a neck lift? ... either way it looks pretty extreme. The bar is loaded to 655 pounds and it sure doesn't look very comfortable. Joe could also do a two-finger deadlift with 515 pounds and backlift an Elephant. This picture was snapped at Muscle Beach.
Labels: Back Lift, Elephant, Heavy Partial Movements, Heavy Weight, Joe Ragusa, Muscle Beach, Neck Strength
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Blame it on Muscle BeachYou never knew what might happen at Muscle Beach with so many crazy strong folks around. Here's a bit of horse play with Ike Berger on the bottom and record-setting shot putter Parry O'Brien up top. O'Brien grew up in Santa Monica and no doubt his exposure to weightlifting and physical culture with the Muscle beach gang contributed to his success.
O'Brien was the first man to put the shot over 60 feet and won more than 116 consecutive competitions. He competed in four consecutive Olympic games, winning the Gold in 1952 Helsinki Games and the 1956 games in Melbourne, Australia.
Labels: 1952 Olympics, 1956 Olympics, Barbell Lift, Ike Berger, Muscle Beach, Parry O'Brien, Santa Monica California, Shot Put, Supporting Feat, York Deep Dish 45 Pound Plate
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Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Jimmie PayneJimmie Payne was one of Jack LaLanne's good friends and training partners at the original Muscle Beach scene in Santa Monica, California. Payne's background in hand balancing served him well, first as a lifting champion, then as a physique title holder (He competed in the Pro Mr. America four times) and finally as a stage athlete. He and his lovely partner Cindy Layne performed across the country as "Payne and Layne."
He was no slouch in 'normal' lifts either, accomplishing a straight-arm pullover with 160 pounds, deadlifting 500 pounds for 8 reps and a standing press with a pair of 115-pound dumbbells.
Labels: Hand Balancing, Hand Balancing Act, Hand Balancing Feat, Jack LaLanne, Jimmie Payne, Muscle Beach, Pro Mr. America, Santa Monica California
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Friday, April 03, 2009
| Incredible handbalancing feats were a common sight at the original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, California. Here's what I'm talking about: Starting at the top is professional hand balancer Gene Miller, Jack Lalanne, Deforest "Moe" Most, the Original Sports Director of Muscle Beach, and at the bottom is weightlifting and bodybuilding champ Harold Zinkin. This feat that is even more impressive than you might realize. Most people can't get into a full back bend position in the first place, Zinkin does so while supporting 400+ pounds. This picture was taken in 1944. |  Handbalancing on Muscle Beach |
Labels: Gene Miller, Hand Balancing, Hand Balancing Feat, Harold Zinkin, Jack LaLanne, Moe Most, Muscle Beach, Santa Monica California
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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
"Big Steve" MarjanianOne of the fixtures at the old Muscle Beach scene was "Big Steve" Marjanian... and here's one reason why they called him "Big Steve" ... an incline press with 440 pounds which was close to, if not the, World record.
Labels: Barbell, Incline Press, Muscle Beach, Steve Marjanian
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Friday, March 06, 2009
A Man Ahead of His Time: Jimmie PayneJimmie Payne was a popular west coast bodybuilder, hand balancer and arm wrestling champ. He regularly appreared on the television show "You Asked for It" performing unusual feats of balance and dexterity. Payne trained at Yarick's Gym and was also a regular at Muscle Beach.
Here he does a little lifting while balanced precariously on a "bongo board" -- he was able to press 180 pounds for 5 reps and, on another occasion, 30 reps with 135. Fifty years ago this was known as "screwin' around" ... these days it's called 'functional training."
Labels: Balance Feat, Ed Yarick's Gym, Hand Balancing, Jimmie Payne, Muscle Beach
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Friday, February 20, 2009
Irvin 'Zabo' KoszewskiAfter winning the "Mr. New Jersey" contest in 1948, "Mr. Middle Atlantic" in 1950 and placing high in a few other regional bodybuilding shows, Irvin 'Zabo' Koszewski relocated to California and stepped into history.
Like every great bodybuilder on the west coast, he started training at Vic Tanny's Gym and spent most of his days on the sands of Muscle Beach. He took up right where he left off in the contest department, winning the Mr. Pacific Coast and Mr. Los Angeles contests in 1953 and added the Mr. California title in 1954.
Zabo also did very well in the AAU Mr. America contests placing thirteenth in 1950, fourth in 1952, third in 1953 and third again in 1954. He also competed in the Junior Mr. America contest in 1951, 1952 and 1954, placing fourth, third and second, respectively.
It's not hard to see why Zabo won "Best Abs" in nearly every contest he entered.
Labels: 1950 Mr. America Contest, 1954 Mr. America Contest, Best Abs, Classic Bodybuilder, Irvin Zabo Koszewski, Mr. California, Mr. New Jersey, Muscle Beach, Vic Tanny's Gym, Zabo
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Saturday, October 04, 2008
Pudgy StocktonPudgy Stockton was about 50 years ahead of her time... Today "fitness models" are a common thing. Pudgy was a consumate "iron lady" back in the 40's. She was adept at hand balancing, olympic weight lifting and even had her own column for years in Strength and Health Magazine. She obviously had no trouble lifting this great Milo Dumbbell down on the sands of Muscle Beach.
Labels: Hand Balancing, Muscle Beach, Olympic Weightlifting, Pudgy Stockton, Strength and Health
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Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Walt MarcyanWalt Marcyan was a great lifter, bodybuilder and hand balancer during the early Santa Monica Muscle Beach days. Walt first picked up a barbell and started training when he was 19 years old and shortly afterwards won the Central AAU Light Heavyweight Lifting Championship.
He followed that up by winning the northwest, Pacific, California, Pacific Coast and Illinois State lifting titles. Walt possessed unusual strength in a number of lifts, above he just missed a one-arm snatch of 210 pounds (at a bodyweight of only 180.)
Marcyan was also the inventor of several pieces of training equipment and his "Marcy Gym" line is still going strong today.
Labels: AAU, Golden Age Bodybuilder, hand balancer, Hand Balancing, Marcy Gym, Muscle Beach, one arm snatch, Walt Marcyan, weightlifting
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Saturday, June 14, 2008
In the old days strength athletes were true athletes; equally proficiant in weight lifting, bodybuilding and handbalancing... and speaking of hand balancing, one of the greatest hand balancers was George Redpath from the original Muscle Beach. Redpath's hand balancing partner was the first Mr. America Bert Goodrich.
Redpath was also one of the first to promote healthy eating and correct nutrition through his many excellent articles in Iron Man Magazine and for years owned and ran one of the most popular gyms out on the West coast (which was eventually purchased by Bill Pearl.)
George Redpath and Bert GoodrichRedpath was also one of the first to promote healthy eating and correct nutrition through his many excellent articles in Iron Man Magazine and for years owned and ran one of the most popular gyms out on the West coast (which was eventually purchased by Bill Pearl.)
Labels: Bert Goodrich, Bill Pearl, George Redpath, Iron Man Magazine, Muscle Beach
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Monday, February 18, 2008
| George Eiferman was the 1948 AAU Mr. America and 1962 IFBB Mr. Universe winner and was particularly well-known for his chest development. On of the ways in which he built such a deep and impressive chest was regular trumpet playing. Eiferman used to like to show off a bit too and was fond of playing the "Hawaiian War Chant" on his trumpet with one hand while holding a loaded barbell overhead with the other. -- Talk about core strength. He regularly performed this feat at Muscle Beach. |  George Eiferman |
Labels: AAU, Breathing Exercises, Chest Development, Feat, George Eiferman, IFBB, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Muscle Beach
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Friday, February 08, 2008
Armand Tanny's Favorite Exercise: The One Arm CleanArmand Tanny (brother of Vic Tanny) was a very successful bodybuilder in the late 40's and 50's, and a regular at the original Santa Monica Muscle Beach scene.
Tanny competed in many major bodybuilding contests and won the Pro-Mr. America in 1950. His favorite exercise was one you don't often see these days: the one arm clean.
Its hard to tell how heavy the bar is loaded to in this shot -- I'd say at least 225 or so, and you sure won't find any bodybuilders who could do that these days.
Labels: Armand Tanny, Barbell, Bodybuilding, Feat, Golden Age Bodybuilder, Mr. America, Muscle Beach, One Arm Clean, Pro Mr. America, Vic Tanny
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Wednesday, February 06, 2008
 Reg Park | There's not too many folks who are instantly recognizable from the back but any iron fan knows that this is undoubtedly Reg Park. Here's Reg pressing a pair of 110-pound dumbbells at the original Muscle Beach. I sure couldn't think of anyone better than Reg to play Hercules in the movies. ... The two-dumbbell press is a great shoulder builder, as you can see. |
Labels: Bodybuilding, Dumbbell Press, Dumbbell Exercise, Golden Age Bodybuilder, Hercules, Muscle Beach, Reg Park, Reg Park Workout, Shoulder Exercise, Two Dumbbell Press
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Friday, January 18, 2008
 Chuck Ahrens and Bert Elliot | Two fixtures in the Santa Monica, California Muscle Beach scene share a laugh in the late 1950's - Chuck Ahrens and Bert Elliott. Chuck Ahrens was a man of immeasurable power, and Bert Elliott was a champion weightlifter and bodybuilder (He won the 1954 Sr. Nationals Weightlifting Title in the 165 Pound Class (totaling 765 pounds), the 1953 "Iron Man" bodybuilding contest as well as the 1954 AAU Mr. Southern California.) At their feet is Bert Elliott's 201 pound "challenge" dumbbell which he could bent- press with ease. |
Labels: AAU, Bent Press, Bert Elliott, Bodybuilding, Challenge Weight, Chuck Ahrens, Dumbbell, Globe Dumbbell, Iron Man, Mr. Southern California, Muscle Beach
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Harold ZinkinHarold Zinkin, shown here on the cover of the June, 1947 issue of Strength & Health Magazine, won the 1941 "Mr. California" bodybuilding contest and was a fixture on the original Santa Monica Muscle Beach scene where he thrilled the crowds with feats of strength, hand balancing and acrobatics.
Zinkin later invented the Universal Gym Machine.
Labels: Bodybuilding, Cover, Golden Age Bodybuilder, Hand Balancing, Harold Zinkin, Muscle Beach, Strength and Health, Universal Machine
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Tuesday, January 08, 2008
| Chuck Ahrens was a giant of a man who was a part of the Muscle Beach Scene of the late 1950's. He trained at Vic Tanny's Gym and there were reports of him performing incredible feats of strength such as overhead presses with 160-pound dumbbells (for reps!), benchpressing 400 pounds for 28 reps, curling 225 with ease and tricep extensions with over 300 pounds. His shoulders were reliably measured at an incredible 26-5/8 inches across. In this famous picture, taken at Muscle Beach in 1957, Chuck Ahrens does a "muscle out" with a 75 pound girl standing on his arm. |  Chuck Ahrens |
Labels: Barbell Curls, Chuck Ahrens, Dumbbell Press, Muscle Beach, Muscle Out, Tricep Press, Vic Tanny's Gym
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Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Vic Tanny's GymJust a stone's throw from the original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, California, was Vic Tanny's Gym.
Shortly after World War II, Tanny converted a 7,000-square-foot USO center, which was located in a basement on 4th Street, into the best-equipped gym in the United States. It was huge, with 15 foot ceilings and, as you can see all kinds of training equipment.
Vic Tanny's was affectionately known as "The Dungeon" and was the place to train during the 1940's and 1950's -- regular members included Steve Reeves, George Eiferman, Joe Gold (of Gold's Gym fame) and Arthur Jones, along with a whole host of others.
It was where Bob Hoffman and the York gang trained on West Coast trips.
Labels: Arthur Jones, Classic Strongman Gyms, George Eiferman, Joe Gold, Muscle Beach, Steve Reeves, Vic Tanny
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Monday, October 29, 2007
 Pudgy Stockton | If there ever were a "bar belle" it was Abbye "Pudgy" Stockton. (She aquired the nickname "Pudgy" as a child and it stuck.) "Pudgy" weighed 115 pounds at a height of 5'2" and, as you can see, was quite the physical specimen -- especially impressive at a time when weightlifting for either gender was frowned upon. She and husband Les Stockton were well known at the first "Muscle Beach" at Santa Monica, California where they primarily worked on acrobatics and gymnastic feats for the crowds. |
Labels: AAU, Bodybuilding, Clean and Jerk, Gymnastics, Hand Balancing, Les Stockton, Muscle Beach, Press, Pudgy Stockton, Snatch, Strength and Health, weightlifting
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Thursday, July 05, 2007
The New Bodybuilding for Old School Results by Ellington DardenThe New Bodybuilding for Old School Results is Ellington Darden's latest strength training book. It's over 300 pages, features hundreds of rare photos and unlike any of Dr. Darden's other books, is in full color.
In it, you'll find an equal dose of strength history and training knowledge and each of its 34 chapters is designed to help you get stronger.
BEHIND-THE-SCENES INTERVIEWS:
• Appreciate Ben Sorenson, who was the manager of Vic Tanny's famous gym in Santa Monica (near Muscle Beach) from 1947-1949. Sorenson details the 1949 Mr. USA competition between John Grimek and Steve Reeves and voices his opinion of why Grimek won, even though Reeves had the best physique.
• Uncover authentic adventures at Muscle Beach, which involve certain legends of bodybuilding. There are meaningful lessons among these episodes.
• Reminisce with Jim Flanagan about Milo Steinborn, the last of the old-time strongmen, as he describes what it was like to train in Steinborn's Gym.
• Laugh with Kim Wood as he shares a report of the 1971 NABBA Mr. Universe in London. The men entered included Pill Bearl, Hergio Saliva, Egg Park, and Rank Fane.
• Is the barbell squat the single best free-weight exercise? Find out from Dan Riley, strength coach of the NFL's Houston Texans.
• Dissect the Best Golden-Age Bodybuilders, muscle by muscle, as judged by experienced insiders who were there. Review the outstanding physiques of Larry Scott, Freddy Ortiz, Tom Platz, Scott Wilson, and Mike Mentzer.
Labels: Bodybuilding, book, Ellington Darden, Henry Milo Steinborn, John Grimek, Kim Wood, Muscle Beach, New Bodybuilding for Old School Results, Steve Reeves, Strength Author
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
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