Mickey Hargitay

Mickey Hargitay

One bodybuilder who "made good" was Mickey Hargitay, who married the famous blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield in 1958. Hargitay rose through the ranks in the AAU Mr. America contests in the early fifties before winning the NABBA Mr. Universe title in 1955. He trained at Bob Higgins' Gym in Indianapolis, Indiana and in York, PA on occasion. Hargitay appeared on the cover of a number of strength magazines throughout his career.

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The Inch Dumbbell Award

What do you get if you are the first and only man to lift the "unliftable" Thomas Inch Challenge Dumbbell" since Thomas Inch himself? You get this award -- the award given to Mr. John Gallacher when he did just that at the 1957 NABBA Mr. America contest. Mr. John Gallacher fully deadlifted the Inch Dumbbell three times that night -- the only man to do so (besides Thomas Inch) in almost six decades! (A Big Thank you to John Gallacher for sending in the picture and filling us in on that fateful day.)

"Winner - Inch Dumbbell Contest NABBA Mr. Universe Contest 1957"

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Mr. America 1957 Ron Lacy

Originally from Hazard, Kentucky, Ron Lacy was the winner of the 1957 AAU Mr. America Contest. He also won the 1955 Mr. Kentucky Contest and finished first in the medium class in the NABBA Mr. Universe contest. Ron was also well known for his leg development and once squatted 300 pounds for 50 consecutive reps.

Mr. America 1957 Ron Lacy

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Steve Reeves' Favorite Exercises for Building The Classic Physique

You can see why they say Steve Reeves has the classic physique -- he looked like a Greek statue brought to life. He was also one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time, winning almost every contest he entered including the 1947 AAU Mr. America title. Reeves trained at the York Barbell Club in York, PA for the 1950 NABBA Mr. Universe contest (which he won.) While there, John Grimek, watched him train, and later wrote an article about what he saw in the November, 1964 issue of Muscular Development Magazine.

Steve Reeves

Here are some of Steve Reeves' favorite exercises, as written by Grimek:

Hack Squats

Cable Rowing

Incline Bench Dumbbell Curls

Behind Neck Press

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