Stuntman: Culture meaning a way of life, with it's own beliefs, customs and way of looking at and doing things. Sub would mean not with the main majority of society or out of the norm.. Like surfing & surfers (which I have been involved with), tattoo freaks or MMA people, each can be called a sub culture. Even movie people. Doesn't have to be a lot of people caught up in any sub culture. Your correct about the old Muscle Beach and BB'er of that era, with it's small circle of people. But still a sub culture, never the less. Sub cultures doesn't mean being inferior or wrong, just something different.
Of course HIV was not known back then, but STD were, in the Muscle Beach/BB'ing 50 and 60's. HIV seemed to have cropped up in the late 80's, as had coke & meth, for the west coast BB'ing world. All this along with exploring chemical engineering with 'roids and other junk. A few well known BB'ers (Pro's and others) seemed to drop out of the sport (debatable term) almost over night. Health issues being the main concern. "What ever happened to what's his name?", could be a common question at times.
I think the old timers (50 & 60's) had the right idea about training. Just getting too stupid now with the sorry drug use. And inflated ego's. Been told that in the old days some gym's would have a friendly challenge to another gym as to lifting, usually benching or other odd lifts. Nice to have that today.
Stuntman, any stories about Walt Marcy? Gym equipment maker. An old timer, I once knew, said he used to workout at his Sunset Blvd gym (nearer downtown LA). Nice , neat gym. Said Marcy seemed to have a new girlfriend every week. Richard Tyler worked at the front desk for awhile. Tyler was very good at one arm curling I believe. Also trained at the old Bert Goodrich gym on Hollywood Blvd. Was and actor than became a chiropractor later on.