A Reg Park Routine

Reg Park

The thing about many of the oldtime bodybuilders is that they didn't need to pump up to be impressive, they just were impressive. Here the great Reg Park gets in a few sets of arm work. and below, one of his favorite routines: Mon - Wed - Fri Barbell Curl 4x6 Seated BN Press 4x6 Bench Press 5x5 Barbell Row 4x6 Barbell Squat 5x5 Deadlift 5x5

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One Corner of Ed Yarick's Gym

One Corner of Ed Yarick's Gym

This picture represents approximately 50% of Ed Yarick's Gym out in Oakland, California. As you can see, there wasn't much to it -- a couple rows of dumbbells, a few platforms, barbells and benches -- but that is all it takes.

These spartan surroundings produced some of the greatest strength champions the world has ever known: Olympic Champion John Davis, THE clasic physique, bodybuilding champion Steve Reeves, Mr. Americas Roy Hilligenn, Clancy Ross and Jack Dellinger all trained there. As did Doug Hepburn and Reg Park when he visited the west coast.

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Reg Park's Arm Workout

Reg Park's Arm Workout
Some of the most impressive arms in history belonged to Reg Park. Reg built his arms with basic exercises and focused on getting stronger through time. In his many training courses, Reg recommended a lot of overhead pressing for tricep work and the simple barbell curl for biceps.

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Reg Park Dumbbell Press

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.

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Reg Park - Lat Spread

Reg Park - Lat Spread
Another classic shot of Reg Park. Is is any surprise that he won the Mr. Universe Contest three times? (1951, 1958, 1965)

In his training course "Strength & Bulk Training for Weight Lifters and Bodybuilders" he recommends bent-over rowing, power cleans and pullups for developing the back muscles. By the looks of this lat spread, I'd certainly say he knows what he's talking about.

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Reg Park (1928-2007)

Reg Park
A few classic shots in honor of our friend Reg Park's passing. Reg was a Champion in every sense of the word.

We'll miss you Reg.

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The Legend: Reg Park

The Legend: Reg Park
Reg park has been featured several times previously on this blog so if you want any more information about either his bodybuilding titles or his workouts and favorite exercises, please check out some of the other posts devoted to him.

Having met Reg several times I can say that you will not talk to a nicer and more knowledgeable guy in the world.

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Reg Park

Reg Park

When you get as strong as Reg Park, you too will be able to lift cars. Here's Reg lifting the front end of a London taxi cab just for kicks. Reg always trained with basic exercises; barbell squats and the behind the neck press were two of his favorite movements.

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Classic Ironman Magazine

Peary Rader began lifting weights at 12 years old in order to build up his 128 pound frame. Heavy, high-rep squats and plenty of milk helped him gain nearly a hundred pounds of muscle over the next few years and, as a result, he went on to become a local weightlifting champion. Needless to say, strength training became a big part of his life once he saw how effective it could be. He wanted to spread the word... In the mid 1930's Rader found a broken mimeograph machine at the school where he worked as a maintenance man, took it home, repaired it and fashioned his own magazine discussing the wonders of proper weight lifting. He mailed the original print run of just 50 copies to his friends -- who liked what they saw -- which inspired Peary Rader to keep publishing. The issues became more and more streamlined and his magazine became known first as "The Iron Man" and later just "Iron Man" which highlighted bodybuilding, weightlifting, nutrition and overall strength training. Over time, Iron Man Magazine became the "Encyclopedia" for serious trainees all over the country and the world with its simple, yet effective training messages and basic workouts. -- Something decidedly lacking in today's strength world... (Pictured above: Joe Miller, Bert Goodrich, John Grimek, Sam Loprinzi, Roy Hilligenn, Bill Pearl, Reg Park, Timmy Leong, and "Red" Lerille)

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Reg Park

Reg Park
Whereas Steve Reeves was known for his classic symmetry, Reg Park was the example of strength, size and power. Reg Appeared on more magazine covers than any bodybuilder in history.

Over the course of his career he won the following titles: 1949 - Mr. Britain - (Health and Strength League) 1950 - Best Developed Athlete in America - (IFBB) 1950 - Mr. Europe 1951 - Mr. Universe - (NABBA) 1958 - Mr. Universe - (NABBA) 1965 - Mr. Universe - (NABBA)

Reg Park

He narrowly missed becoming the only bodybuilder we know of to win a contest in four decades, with two second-place finishes in the 1970 and 1973 Mr. Universe contests.

Reg Park was as strong as he looked, here's his best lifts (all performed in the 1950's):

- Behind the Neck Press - 300 Lbs. For one rep.
- Behind the Neck Press - 260 Lbs. For four reps.
- Behind the Neck Press - 240 Lbs. For eight reps.
- One Arm Dumbbell Press - 165 Lbs. For two reps.
- Front Squat - 405 for a single.
- Lying Triceps Extension - 300 Lbs. For three reps. This was done at Muscle Beach in 1957.
- Standing Dumbbell Press - Two 120 Lb. Dumbbells for five reps.
- Standing Dumbbell Press - Two 140 Lb. Dumbbells for one rep.
- Dumbbell Bench Press - Two 185 Lb. Dumbbells for five reps.
- Squat - 605 for two reps at Buster McShane and Ivan Dunbar's Gym in Belfast.
- Strict Barbell Curl - 200 Lbs. For one rep.
- Incline Dumbbell Press - Two 185 Lb. Dumbbells for five reps.

Reg also played Hercules in several movies and once owned the Thomas Inch Dumbbell.

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