Ed Connors - Original Owner of Gold's Gym - Legend or Schmoe?

[Dave D]

Guys share any insight you might have on this legend.

I've never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I've heard good things from those who have had his influence on their careers, although they've said he's eccentric.

Ed I know you're reading this so please feel free to chime in.


* a couple of younger guys I know have had recent dealings with Ed and they didn't know what to make of him. I told them he's a legend in this industry and if he sees potential it's usually a good sign.

[BB]

For the younger guys, Paul DeMayo, Franco Santoriello, Jay Cutler, Mike Matarazzo, Lee Priest, Frank McGrath, Ben Pakulski, Dallas McCarver are some of the bigger names to fall under his spell, sometimes including being house guests for extended stays.

.

[Powerlift66]

Loved him on "The Rifleman"...

[Macrofitter]

For the younger guys, Paul DeMayo, Franco Santoriello, Jay Cutler, Mike Matarazzo, Lee Priest, Frank McGrath, Ben Pakulski, Dallas McCarver are some of the bigger names to fall under his spell, sometimes including being house guests for extended stays.

Don't forget Big Dan Hill. Ed supported him big time for his breakthrough in the States

[SilverSpoon]

What about Bob Gruskin?

[SaintAnger]

Demayo said Bob never laid a hand on him.

[8 INCH not biceps]

Guys share any insight you might have on this legend.

I've never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I've heard good things from those who have had his influence on their careers, although they've said he's eccentric.

Ed I know you're reading this so please feel free to chime in.


* a couple of younger guys I know have had recent dealings with Ed and they didn't know what to make of him. I told them he's a legend in this industry and if he sees potential it's usually a good sign.

I think you have it twisted schmoes are the good guys because they support bodybuilding.

[Dave D]

Thanks  guys,

I was curious if anyone had anything "negative" to say and I figured not.  Normally stuff like that leaks out. I know he's played a role in the lives of John Cena as well as the ultimate warrior, so if he was a creep it would have made the rounds.

[SaintAnger]

Thanks  guys,

I was curious if anyone had anything "negative" to say and I figured not.  Normally stuff like that leaks out. I know he's played a role in the lives of John Cena as well as the ultimate warrior as well, so if he was a creep it'd would have made the rounds.

Would love to trash him since he's a power player, but no, haven't heard anything bad about Ed.

[tommywishbone]

Saw Ed on pretty much a daily basis from 1990-2000. He was totally cool. A man of his word. Golds Gym Venice never and I mean NEVER would have become what it became without Ed Connors.

[doggler]

Saw Ed on pretty much a daily basis from 1990-2000. He was totally cool. A man of his word. Golds Gym Venice never and I mean NEVER would have become what it became without Ed Connors.

So you are a bottom.

[Simple Simon]

Saw Ed on pretty much a daily basis from 1990-2000. He was totally cool. A man of his word. Golds Gym Venice never and I mean NEVER would have become what it became without Ed Connors.

uncomfortable reading between the lines of peace....

[6 Reps]

 To be fair, I never knew or met Ed Connors but, in the late 1990's I was at a contest prejudging and he was there running around.  He struck me as being major schmoe.

[NotMrAverage]

Do anyone of you know Ed Connors?

He was the original owner of Golds and bodybuildings original schmoe.

A friend of mine went to train at Golds in the late 90:ies. He was in his late teens at the time. Looked like a barbarian brother with long hair but just abit smaller because of the agefactor. Ed Connors approached him in the gym and told him he could live at his place and train for free if he walked around in his underwear all day long. He accpted and stayed there for some time.

Anyone got more stories of Ed Connors?

[SOMEPARTS]

Joe Gold was the original owner of Golds.

[Dave D]

Lol Ed is making the rounds

http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=620722.0

I know a few people who've dealt with him and no one has ever said anything bad about him (he's "eccentric")which is rare in any area of life.

[NotMrAverage]

I have heard lots of rumours about him having guys like arnold, france, paul demayo etc walking his house in underwear to train for free. Dont know if those were true though. But my friend actually went there and got the same schmoe treatment. He just had to walk around is his underwear and there was no touching or sexualar activity involved. Guess thats why he kinda stayed of radar so to say.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

Do anyone of you know Ed Connors?

He was the original owner of Golds and bodybuildings original schmoe.

A friend of mine went to train at Golds in the late 90:ies. He was in his late teens at the time. Looked like a barbarian brother with long hair but just abit smaller because of the agefactor. Ed Connors approached him in the gym and told him he could live at his place and train for free if he walked around in his underwear all day long. He accpted and stayed there for some time.

Anyone got more stories of Ed Connors?

Yes.

[Howard]

Joe Gold was the original owner of Golds.

Yup and that all started in the 1960's across the street from Venice Beach.
The original GOLD's was sold to Ken Sprague in the early 1970's where he was an active manager.
Pumping Iron was filmed there and Ken sold the place within 2 years of filming.
The gym building was converted to a restaurant before 1980.

That's when Gold's gym moved to it's (new) current location and Pete Grymkoski was manager.
Shortly after that, the gym chain we know today grew worldwide.
 Sadly ,in recent years the number of actual GOLD's gyms has declined.

Ed Connors?

[ESFitness]

Yup and that all started in the 1960's across the street from Venice Beach.
The original GOLD's was sold to Ken Sprague in the early 1970's where he was an active manager.
Pumping Iron was filmed there and Ken sold the place within 2 years of filming.
The gym building was converted to a restaurant before 1980.

That's when Gold's gym moved to it's (new) current location and Pete Grymkoski was manager.
Shortly after that, the gym chain we know today grew worldwide.
 Sadly ,in recent years the number of actual GOLD's gyms has declined.

Ed Connors?

the owner of the most the west coast (inc Nevada and az) was going to sell 20% of his gyms to EOS Fitness (with whom i was the Personal Training Coordinator for a while), but instead ended up selling about 60% of his gyms. so now most west coast Golds are now EOS.

[Dan-O]

A lot of former Gold's franchisees in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area have taken on the name VASA Fitness--they're the same physical gyms but they don't pay the Gold's licensing fee anymore.

EDIT:  P.S. Yes, I've heard of Ed Connors but have no amusing stories to share.  Sorry.

[AbrahamG]

the owner of the most the west coast (inc Nevada and az) was going to sell 20% of his gyms to EOS Fitness (with whom i was the Personal Training Coordinator for a while), but instead ended up selling about 60% of his gyms. so now most west coast Golds are now EOS.

You are my man and all, but you know damn well that this is going to take on a life of it's own.  LOL.

[Desolate]

Joe Gold was the original owner of Golds.

Ironically, Joe Gold was a cock-smoking homo.

FACT.

[tommywishbone]

Ed Connors is an absolute gentlemen. More successful NPC and IFBB bodybuilders owe their success to Ed Connors than any other single person.
 

[6 Reps]

Ed Connors; with Jay Cutler, then Paulo Almeida: