by Justin Leonardthese all apply to my gym, is it hardcore? ???
YOUR GYM MIGHT BE HARDCORE IF....
#16 - at least 60% of the gym members bring gallon jugs of water to drink while working out.
And what's funny about this one is that the jugs are only about a third full. I've seen several gallon jugs, but I've never seen someone finish a full one during the course of a workout.
#15 - there's chalk on all of the equipment (including machine weights).
Hardcore gyms don't care about being clean while you workout. You're in there to sweat and look ugly.
#14 - there are no disinfectant wipes or spray bottles in the workout area.
Hardcore gyms may not have sanitary stations posted throughout the gym. Instead, you're encouraged to bring your own towel or check one out at the counter when you enter the gym.
#13 - in the main area of the gym, it's perfectly acceptable to pose in front of the mirror with your shirt off or pants down.
Health clubs are really modest, and the general population doesn't understand the bodybuilding community. If someone begins to pose in front of the mirror and people [who actually care] begin to gather around in awe... you definitely workout in a hardcore gym.
#12 - there are less than five cardiovascular machines.
This is true especially for old school gyms. If the gym you train at has less than five cardiovascular machines, it might be hardcore.
#11 - there is a deadlifting platform in the gym.
They protrude from the ground and are usually made out of wood and covered with carpet. They are topped with a rubber coating and are always infested with chalk. Usually, only someone interested in Olympic style powerlifting or hardcore bodybuilding will use this area of the gym. Most health clubs wouldn't want a deadlifting platform in their gym because 1) no one would ever use it, and 2) anyone who uses it seriously will usually require chalk for gripping and control purposes, which could ultimately migrate onto other machines.
#10 - there are digitally signed 8 x 10 photo reprints and full-sized posters of bodybuilders posted throughout the gym.
Generally speaking, commercial health clubs don't want their guests to get the wrong impression when they walk into their gyms. On the other hand, athletes who have either visited the gym or have achieved athletic success at the gym are encouraged to submit a photo to grace the halls and walls of the gym.
#9 - the bathrooms have no showers.
The concept is simple: Come in, do what you have to do, and get out!
#8 - it's perfectly normal to yell or grunt aloud while working out.
You can't really do this at a "health club" or "fitness center" without everyone staring at you. Most people just don't see the need to yell. The health club/fitness center mentality is, "If you have to make all that noise, then the weight is too heavy." The hardcore gym mentality is, "If you're not making noise, you're not pushing yourself hard enough."
#7 - the area around the customer service desk is encrusted with trophies from gym members.
Health clubs usually don't want to create an elite athlete gym atmosphere. Whereas hardcore gyms take pride in knowing that their gym is home to the nation's/world's top athletes.
#6 - the gym temperature feels like it's 90 degrees with the A/C on.
I never understood this one. I suppose the hotter it is, the tougher you become. Fitness centers and health clubs always maintain ideal workout temperatures.
#5 - the gym doesn't offer personal training services.
I guess the mentality at a hardcore gym is, "Why hire a personal trainer when you can recruit a hardcore training partner?" Or, "Personal trainers are for those who don't know what they are doing." No one is too good for a personal trainer. All elite athletes (e.g. Olympic) have them.
#4 - there is no aerobics room.
Many hardcore gyms don't have aerobics rooms. If they do, it's used for bodybuilding posing practice more than it is for aerobics.
#3 - there is a dedicated "neck" machine.
You'll rarely see a dedicated neck machine in a health club.
#2 - the water comes out of the water fountain at room temperature.
I never quite understood why this was... and what makes it even worse is that when water is dispensed at room temperature, it tastes salty for some reason.
#1 - the weights are always left on the machines and never put back on the racks, even though there's a big sign that says, "PLEASE RETURN WEIGHTS TO RACK!"
more ProBodies
When I get back I want to come visit your gym. We will show the young whipper-snappers how it's done
www.quadsgym.com
Back in the day when it was on the quarry in Thornton Illinois it was the mecca for us in the Chicagoland area. Relocated in Calumet City it's still hardcore but I don't train there anymore. Still the home of Ed Coan.
Anybody from Maine? I grew up as a teenager in a hardcore powerlifting/bodybuilder gym called Gillys Gym in Waterville. Some of my old buddies informed me it finally closed up in early 2010. Was the home of the Hacket brothers (Worlds Strongest Man contest), Ernie Gilbert, Anne Turbine etc.
bigger dbs to side here's 3 of them
;D vince's gym always a friendly guy.
:( wag's gym other views
trained there once,what year?
what year?
;Doops wrong second pic a rerun. :( :( shoild have been
Great pics as always Funky... ;D itīs always a joy to look at your pictures....hope you get to be a Mod on here, you are a real Gem for this section of getbig.thank you donny.
zuvers ken leistner was said to be the 12 th man to lift the big barrel at zuver's overhead. 225 lbs of water swishing inside a barrel
;D
This is a picture my son in law took last week in a gym over in Iceland.looks like an iron shortage in iceland.
It goes to show if there's a will there's a way. Even us Zuver's didn't think of this.
RZ
;)
WowI agree.. :)
Who wouldn't love to own the great old equipment in that gym.
Even to have a gym like that today.
RZ
sig was involved in the 1946 most muscular man in america contest.the story there was that dan lurie was running around challenging everybody of note to a physique contest. when the time came they considered lurie a professional so he couldn't compete in the regular contest against grimek, stanko and loprinzi. so they added a pro divison sig didn't want lurie to win unopposed so he along with an out of shape wrestler walter podolak entered. sig despite being lurie's senior by 21 years won thus shutting lurie up for a time. besides the pro contest, the amateur contest had the following divisons, tall, med-tall, med, short and extra short. sig was born 1902 and lived till 1987. lurie was born 1923 and still walks the earth.Thanks Funky... never knew that. You really have the info.
I agree.. :)
I like the picture Funky...great looking Gym.looks like a great place to train, almost like the orignal gold's gym
Does anyone recognize this old Bodybuilder???just a guess your father. ??? ??? ??? ???
just a guess your father. ??? ??? ??? ???
:)another great pic funky.. i love these old gyms.
:P
i am trying to figure who looks the phoniest in this pic, but they all look like they are not really laughing at all
Maybe they're laughing about the old myth of "10 mg of Dianobol per day."
old gold's guarded by the big DOG ;D ;D ;D
hey, thats the same dog standing by franco when he's pulling that heavy deadlift, no?it should be. this pic?
it should be. this pic?
yes, i'm sure you've seen the non-cropped version where the pooch is sitting all stately by him .yup, there's a picture somewhere of arnold getting his face licked by the dog. i think it's a great dane.
yes, i'm sure you've seen the non-cropped version where the pooch is sitting all stately by him .
one more thing. if your shy , you don't get to lift weights.
it's absolutely ok to drip your sweat on the bench.
here's some old skool shots
all great shots robert very inviting places. most of my shots are scattered on here from my home gym. ;D old school york dbs york iso rack in background.
Thought I recognized some of your pics along the way. A lot of gym owners send me there old shots from back in the day along with collectors of the iron. Ill share them from time to time.pennsylvania that's my neck of the woods. hope it's in the northeast corner.
By there's a piece of news I can mention a little bit about now. Just released. I will give full detail soon. See pic.
RZ
Thought I recognized some of your pics along the way. A lot of gym owners send me there old shots from back in the day along with collectors of the iron. Ill share them from time to time.
By there's a piece of news I can mention a little bit about now. Just released. I will give full detail soon. See pic.
RZ
for sure hope it's close by. i want to see some of the other items he purchased also.
How many pieces is the Zuverman? Do you know what it weighs?
I hope details of the owner will be made available. It would be quite a novelty to see that thing in person...and get some pictures...Funk!! 8)
pennsylvania that's my neck of the woods. hope it's in the northeast corner.
How many pieces is the Zuverman? Do you know what it weighs?
I hope details of the owner will be made available. It would be quite a novelty to see that thing in person...and get some pictures...Funk!! 8)
I will for sure give all the details on the new owner, his gym, the location and everything else when I can. Right now were getting things ready to move him. Keep an eye open for new posts.
RZ
x2
Looking forward!
Thanks!!
LOVE THE OLD STUFF.I concur wholeheartedly! My home gym...nothin but iron,(mostly old ''Billard'' plates, among others) the best way to go-no fancy, shiny machines. Also I love the pics and recollections of the old Zuver's gym-talk about ''Hardcore'', thanks for sharing, in this and other threads.
I concur wholeheartedly! My home gym...nothin but iron,(mostly old ''Billard'' plates, among others) the best way to go-no fancy, shiny machines. Also I love the pics and recollections of the old Zuver's gym-talk about ''Hardcore'', thanks for sharing, in this and other threads.check out the billard thread on here. you might recognize some plates.
check out the billard thread on here. you might recognize some plates.Thanks!! I have some of those ''dimple'' plates appr. 100 pounds in 2 1/2 lbs. 3 lbs., 5 and 10 lbs , and about 300+ lbs. of flat ''pancake'' plates in 2 1/2 lbs., 5 lbs. 10 lbs., and 25 lbs.-all standard however. Purchased them in the 80s. Also some ''Keys'' barbell 50 pounders.. All total approximately 800 pounds of standard plates alone in my gym/collection. Will try to post some pics. 8)
Thanks!! I have some of those ''dimple'' plates appr. 100 pounds in 2 1/2 lbs. 3 lbs., 5 and 10 lbs , and about 300+ lbs. of flat ''pancake'' plates in 2 1/2 lbs., 5 lbs. 10 lbs., and 25 lbs.-all standard however. Purchased them in the 80s. Also some ''Keys'' barbell 50 pounders.. All total approximately 800 pounds of standard plates alone in my gym/collection. Will try to post some pics. 8)would like to see them.
Tommy Kono's old home gym.great pic ,it worked for tommy one of usa's greatest lifters.
The Good Old Dayssome great pics number 4 george eiferman/???? not sure possibly fritsche's gym if it is eiferman and an early pic?????
Pic 1. Steve Reeves loved this gym.
Pic 2. Bill Pearls place.
Pic 3. Good old Muscle Beach in the 80s.
Pic 4. Not Sure.
some great pics number 4 george eiferman/???? not sure possibly fritsche's gym if it is eiferman and an early pic?????
Could be. The photo was sent to me by a friend along with pic # 1 and no explanation. But George and Steve did train togather often. My friend also wasn't sure.:P
:P
This was OldSchool.i have that pic up on my home gym wall. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D there's a couple of different variations of that shot.
i have that pic up on my home gym wall. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D there's a couple of different variations of that shot.
;D eddie g top of world's gym.outdoor area.awesome pic......thanks, funk!!
;)deferro on the world's gym roofthanks again, funk!!
And more and more;D ;D ;D ;D sbg home gym
And the end.
Thanks
RZ
;D ;D ;D ;D sbg home gym
NICE GUN'sthat's superstar billy graham aka wayne coleman
that's superstar billy graham aka wayne coleman
Just part of the story.i think i read that in dave yarnell's book too?????? not 100 percent sure though.
Bob Zuver Sr. Answering questions.
The whole story article is off Draper.com.
that's superstar billy graham aka wayne coleman
Talk about not putting your stuff away!have fun trying to use the bench [i think] pictured to the left. ;D ;D ;D
:) the garage gym where mike katz trained , coach is riding him in the pic. donkey calf raises.
Texas Gym my home away from home. Anyone spot the two paintings on the wall at the very back/guy is lee labarada , and women is cory everson methinks.
guy is lee labarada , and women is cory everson methinks.
Lil Zuverman likes old school.
I think the top and bottom pics are Quads North. The middle pic is Quads South or Quads in Calumet City. I train at the Quads South and Ed Coan is still in there every day. Quads South is extreamly hardcore and old school. That gold figure or statue isn't there any more.
Gotcha.........
hopefully this is new. ::) ::) ::):)
welcome aboard, you sir are a wordsmith on par with dave draper.The Dungeon of Santa Monica
Once a long time ago - I was in my 20's, I went to California. I went to the Muscle Beach Gym in Santa Monica. This famous, beloved relic, was once located on the unspoiled shores of Santa Monica. It was relocated by the persuasion of the city council to the underground basement of a collapsing retirement hotel four blocks inland. A very long, steep and unsure staircase took me to a cavernous hole in the ground with crumbling plaster walls and a ceiling that bulged and leaked diluted beer from the old timer's tavern above. Puddles of the stuff added charm to the dim atmosphere where three strategically placed 40 watt light bulbs gave art deco shadows to the rusting barbells, dumbbells, sagging milk crates and splintery hand-crafted 2x4 benches. Pulleys and twisted cable, a dozen Olympic bars, bent and rusty, and tons of plates - scattered throughout the 2500 square foot floor. Dumbbells up to 160# that rattled at broken welds. This was unquestionably the greatest gym in the world.
Here bodybuilding began, embryonic: the original, not an imitation. Here exercises were invented, equipment improvised, muscle shaped and size imagined and built, and the authentic atmosphere exuded like primal ooze. You were awash in fundamentals and honesty.
The "Gods" lifted here.
The "magic" didn't come from the pharmacist; it came from the soul, the era, the history in the making, the presence of un-compromised originality, yet to be imitated.
The Dungeon, a refuge, a place for a musclehead, a misfit, for people that harm themselves.
This was a junkyard, full of junkyard dogs. Biting was allowed and they torn it down. Spas and Spandex don't impress me. Move the weight. Stand Up. It's really very simple, just Stand Up.
welcome aboard, you sir are a wordsmith on par with dave draper.
is that eiferman and hugo labra in the bottom pic?you got it.
you got it.
;Dgreat pic Funky Bro
like an Anatomy Chart ;Dhe was just under 5 ft 7 yet was a true heavyweight.
;D
Funk, a time machine and I'd go back there and clean that place out 8)...yeah, it's amazing how many of these places come and go down through the years. did you ever check for old iron at old colleges and universities? my kid said they used to put all the old equipment inside a walled in room at kutztown. you could actually see it thru bars in a hole in the wall. they used to have two 110 lb globe york dbs that looked like bronze.
get yourself a tetanus shot and come on in.... ::) ::) ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ::) ::) ::) ::)
Meeko was always in Hoffmanns mag. Was it called something diff before muscular dev? I had a ton of them. He would guest pose at mr Lehigh valley right?pic is from the only npc contest meeko ever competed in placed 10 th in hwt class. bob chicerrillo and matt mendenhall also in pic....muscular development was always called muscular development , it was an outgrowth of strength and health mag and survived it to this day... much like flex was an outgrowth or spinoff of muscle and fitness when it was becoming to mainstream....
Anyway what the name of the guy to the left of Meeko. Had huge calves. A preacher if I remenber. Split with his wife I think after hitting the mags. Da.... Maybe an L in his last name?
Meeko was always in Hoffmanns mag. Was it called something diff before muscular dev? I had a ton of them. He would guest pose at mr Lehigh valley right?
Anyway what the name of the guy to the left of Meeko. Had huge calves. A preacher if I remenber. Split with his wife I think after hitting the mags. Da.... Maybe an L in his last name?
james demelo:D
Yeah that's him. I had all those old iron man n md mags before I burned them years ago in a state of stupidity. Had that old Meeko md mag. I remember the cover. Loved the old crapoy local black n white photos in that Mag. Much different feel than the polished m n f back then. Pix of Meeko traing in what looked like a high school gym. Can u scan a couple of those for memory lane? I remember him on a hack squat I think.
all the AAU guys had a different look in the 80's. a saturation of muscle that was different from the NPC/IFBB, platz was the only ifbb guy that had the look. Meeko, Jeff King and I remember a few others in those mags that had this 'look'vic terra too
vic terra too
Yeah that's him. I had all those old iron man n md mags before I burned them years ago in a state of stupidity. Had that old Meeko md mag. I remember the cover. Loved the old crapoy local black n white photos in that Mag. Much different feel than the polished m n f back then. Pix of Meeko traing in what looked like a high school gym. Can u scan a couple of those for memory lane? I remember him on a hack squat I think.the whole year after someone won the aau mr america they were featured in strength and health and muscular developement in a series called mr america series.... they would put an article in the mag about training or such..
world's gym 1976... :D
was that Joe Gold's first World Gym? I woulda thought it was a couple years later. ???not sure ric drasin identified it as such, i guess the one with the rooftop gym was next up after he moved...from this one
not sure ric drasin identified it as such, i guess the one with the rooftop gym was next up after he moved...from this one
I would be interested in learning that time-line. did he still own the original during the Pumping Iron filming? and it was said he sold it to go back into fishing. then realized he missed the gym bus so started worlds.here's few pics one from world's 2 nd location, and an original bench he made for original gold's gym
I would be interested in learning that time-line. did he still own the original during the Pumping Iron filming? and it was said he sold it to go back into fishing. then realized he missed the gym bus so started worlds.gold's timeline= joe gold 1922-2004..joe gold got into making gym equipment with his brother robert in their teens.he opened the first gold gym in 1965 sold it in 1970... came back and opened world's gym in 1977. pumping iron chronicled the 75 universe and olympia was released in 77...gold's real name was goldglejt shortened to gold...ken spraque tells a lot of stories about the time period when he bought gold's and joe gold return...
gold's timeline= joe gold 1922-2004..joe gold got into making gym equipment with his brother robert in their teens.he opened the first gold gym in 1965 sold it in 1970... came back and opened world's gym in 1977. pumping iron chronicled the 75 universe and olympia was released in 77...gold's real name was goldglejt shortened to gold...ken spraque tells a lot of stories about the time period when he bought gold's and joe gold return...
An update... Loprinzi's Gym was great as always! It really takes me back to the glory days of 1940s/50s physical culture.nice, thanks for the link..
If anyone is interested, I posted a photo essay with pics of Loprinzi's on my old-school weight training blog:
Clickable link (https://foundationsofiron.wordpress.com/2018/03/19/a-tour-of-loprinzis-gym-70th-anniversary-2018-a-photo-essay/)
:D
:D