The special thing about Gironda's physique was that there was nothing special about any body part., nothing stood out or seems out of place. Everything just seems to balance and have harmony together. More of a classic type of body. Would guess the average man on the street would rather look like Gironda than the mass monsters of today.Of course with younger men, it's all about muscle mass (usually pumped or the bloated look). Older, and experience men, understand BB'ing is about the importance of the aesthetic look. When there is flow and harmony from one body part to another. He did very well for a smaller light boned man. Not sure of his bwt, back in his era, but guessing around 155-160...some of the old times maybe could answer that?
Gironda stressed delts/shoulder width, narrow waist and calves. It was all about illusion of width and the standout development of the calves. Think his flaw was not understand the importance of well developed abs that can be important in a classic look.. Traps distracted from the illusion of shoulder with, so were avoided, I had been told.
Never meet Mr. Gironda (way before my time), but have know a few old timers who have. A couple worked out at his North Hollywood (or was that Studio City?) gym on Ventura. Married 3 or 4 times I believe and in later years had money and drinking problems. Alimony, support, etc. among the problems. If anything, he was very, very inventive with exercises and diets (no or zero carbs...meat/eggs). Still has a influence on modern day BB'ing. His course are worth a look, if only to get a sense of where he was coming from.