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More about Larry Scott

Posted Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

Tell me about Larry Scott. I know that he trained at your gym during the time he won his Olympia crown. The reason why I am interested in him is that he did not have a big frame, yet he still built enormous arms. Vince what was Scott's arm secret?

Scott trained at my gym during his heyday. He still trains very hard, incidentally, even though he's over fifty years of age. He may never win another Olympia title, but then again that is not a priority with him.


Larry Scott Preacher BenchLarry's secret was hard work. He really does go all out. He was definitely a heavy duty advocate before Mike Mentzer publicized the method. However, Scott did perform more overall sets then Mentzer advocated. Larry's first few reps were quite often as difficult as most trainers last reps.

Frequently he would struggle with his first rep. For his biceps Larry would do five sets of barbell preacher curls, followed by five sets of dumbell preacher curls. About one minute rest allowed between sets, just time enough for Larry to take a sip at the water fountain.

Scott found that his triceps responded well to combining two movements, one isolation and one compound. He alternated the close grip bench press with EZ curl bar with longpull triceps extensions (face down) on the cradle bench. At the time my gym was the only gym in the country with a cradle bench.


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Larry Scott Mr. Olympia Competition

Posted Monday, November 05, 2007

Filed under History

Total number of men Larry Scott, first Mr. Olympia, defeated in winning his two Mr. Olympia crowns: four.

In 1965, he went muscle to muscle against Harold Poole and Earl Maynard.

In 1966 Scott successfully retained his title against the likes of Harold Poole, Chuck Sipes and Sergio Oliva.


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Vince The Diplomat?

Posted Monday, September 17, 2007

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

Enough is enough. For years I have been reading MuscieMag International and it is very noticeable that you aren't the most mellow as far as human beings go.

It never falls to amaze me how you continue year after year to literrally insult many of the fans who write in to you for advice on training and nutrition.

I've even seen pictures of you in the magazines where you are giving someone "the finger."

I'm probably one of the most honest people around today and I feel everyone deserves a fair shake in life and so I dismissed all the insults and gestures that I just mentioned as overhype from the magazines when you were just having a bad day.

I can't any more though because a couple more incidents involving you have come to light.

First of all, I heard from a very good friend of mine that, when you were at The Event in San Diego, California back in late October of '91, you shoved and verbally assaulted one of the bodybuilding writers who was being introduced to you - and in public in the main lobby of an exclusive hotel. That is not at all diplomatic and is, in fact, rude, crude and socially unacceptable, Vince.

The capper to your personality as a whole came when I happened to watch your segment on the first MuscleMag Video Magazine. You barked at Robert Kennedy when he made a mistake regarding you or your gym and some of the members.

Have a heart, Vince. Mr. Kennedy was live in front of a TV camera. Then, to top it off, you almost had that foxy babe in, tears while you were teaching her the body-drag curl. You're a drag, Vince, and your tone of voice was disgusting.

I hope this letter is published because it is time after 47 years that people know what the real Vince is like. I am withholding my name and am having this letter mailed four states away from where I actually live.


I shouldn't even reply to your worthless letter, but I'm in a good mood (just received a royalty check in the six digits for my book The Wild Physique) at this particular moment so I will.



Let me tell you about that incident in San Diego. That guy is the biggest cheapskate in the iron game asfar as I am concerned. He tried to get me to give him a free copy of my Master and Pro Series courses. I don't care if he was going to review them. They aren't for sale to him at any price. He doesn't have the money! Kennedy's still my best friend and one of the only people in the world that I totally trust.

Who cares if that woman ("foxy babe", as you call her) was in tears? She is going to put some muscle on those buggy-whip arms of hers if she listens to me, the Iron Guru.

So when do you graduate from pharmacist school? Your handwriting is as sloppy as a pharmacist's or doctor's!

In closing, don't let your mouth overload your hummingbird butt!


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Strength Feats

Posted Thursday, August 02, 2007

Filed under Training, History

(physical POWER 1962 - Gene Mozee)

Gironda has performed some outstanding lifting stunts, which few men in the world can duplicate. Here is a list of some of his impressive performances;

1. Muscle-ups on rings with 100 lb. dumbell tied to waist!

2. Hack slide, 700 lbs. for repetitions!

3. Barbell Sissy Squats - 160 lbs., 30 reps!

4. Barbell tricep pullover - 200 lbs., 1 rep!

5. One arm rowing - 175 lbs., 20 reps!

6. Alternate dumbell curls - 100 lbs.!

7. One arm chins with either hand!

8. Hack squats - 10 sets of 20 reps with 450 lbs. in 10 minutes!

You can readily see that Vince not only has one of the world's best developed physiques, but he is equally as strong.


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Vince Gironda in Emergency Wedding

Posted Friday, April 13, 2007

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

Vince Gironda Emergency WeddingIn his younger years, Vince became a movie stuntman, stunt-double and actor in his own right. In time he would go on to appear in over 500 movies.

"I've been in hundreds of movies. I know that I appeared in my first movie in my mother's arms when I was six months old in New York. Later on, I did whatever they needed a guy with a build to do."

Emergency Wedding is extremely rare and hard to find, but finally for the first time you can see Vince's appearance in this great movie on Gironda Talks!. Thanks to all our loyal members for their patience.


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Starting Out

Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

When did you first find out about bodybuilding Vince?

Did you do any sports as a youngster?

How did you get into training the stars and how are you currently training yourself?

Please excuse all these questions, but I am anxious to know the answers.


Continue reading Starting Out

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Ask Vince

Posted Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

I’ve always been interested in what you have written Mr. Gironda, but also I am aware that some things you say are radical to say the least.

Some might say your ideas border on being "strange".

I mean you do not like the squat or the bench press. These are the two basic moves in bodybuilding.

You seldom recommend any shoulder pressing or regular barbell curls.

Why are you different from everyone else?


Continue reading Ask Vince

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Speeding along on Ventura Boulevard, California

Posted Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

I do not know if I am right or not, but I think I saw you speeding along on Ventura Boulevard, California…riding a racing bike.

I couldn’t believe my eyes…tell me, was it you Vince? If so, why? I thought you were against running, and cycling isn’t so different is it?

Why Vince? Admit it was you and I’ll know I wasn’t seeing things.


Geez! Don’t I get any privacy? Yes, it was me. I take out my race bike every other day for a quick 15-20 mile spin. Why? Because I enjoy it. OK?


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Vince Gironda - Artistic Muscle

Posted Thursday, August 10, 2006

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

Vince Gironda

Original Artwork by Roy Adams


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Impress Girls

Posted Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Filed under Training, History

"[...] we went over to Studio-City to train at Vince's Gym. I opened my wallet, which didn't have much money, in front of Vince and gave him 14 Dollars for both me and my friend to train for the day.

We had a great workout, using the same equipment that all my childhood heroes got huge on, such as Don Howorth, Bill McArdle, and of course, Larry Scott.

After the workout and after changing in the locker room fittingly titled Larry Scott's dressing room, I remember showing Vince a couple of poses and asking if he thought I had what it takes to impress the California girls. Vince replied, pointing to his backside, "you need more back here". I said, "Vince, I do my best to build my butt, but I don't squat anymore because I know from you that it makes the hips wider." Vince replied "no you idiot. I'm referring to your wallet. It needs to be fatter if you want to impress the girls. They want money."


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Famous Personalities

Posted Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Filed under Training the Stars, History

One of the leading professional weight training teachers in the world, Vince owns and operates one of the finest health studios in the country at 1162 Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, California.

Many outstaning athletes and bodybuilders train at Vince's Gym, including Floyd Simmonds, Olympic Decathlon star; Bill Mahalo, Olympic marathon performer; Gary Finneran and Angelo Brovelli, professional football players; Bert Elliot, former National Weightlifting champion; Larry Scott, one of the country's leading bodybuilders, and many others too numerous to mention.

Because Vince's Gym is located near many movie studios, many actors and show business personalities train there. Some of these include Clint Walker, George Hamilton, Clint Eastwood, Larry Parks, Sean Flynn, Byron Palmer, john Saxon, and Clu Gulager.

Vince jokingly mentioned, "There are so many western actors and their stand-ins around here, that about 6:00 p.m., it looks like the Long Branch Saloon on Gunsmoke."


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A letter from Vince

Posted Saturday, January 28, 2006

Filed under Vince's Gym, History



The most "misunderstood" statement, that Vince has made.... was: "Rules are made to be challenged, changed, questioned or broken. There is no absolute right or wrong way to workout. If you're making gains right now, then you're probably on track. Someday you may be able to improve upon my methods and contribute something beneficial to the sport."

I'm trying my best.... to do just that!

- Steve Speyrer : www.classicanatomygym.com


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VINCE GIRONDA – GYM & BODYBUILDING GURU

Posted Saturday, January 21, 2006

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

Vince Gironda was a bodybuilding guru and also a pioneer in many ways. HIS training at HIS gym was the THE ONLY WAY to create a physique worthy of a bodybuilder sufficiently aesthetically developed to carry that name (as far as he was concerned anyway). He was probably the originator of “Hardcore Workouts” as we know it today. Intensity and impeccably performed reps with great emphasis on focus see and feel until you felt that your muscle was surely going to melt. He was certainly ahead of his time in many ways, including in the area of nutrition and one of the first gyms to offer T-shirts, plus specially designed bodybuilding courses for the individual. He trained everyone differently yet still according to a template he had devised over the years. But Vince was not a man with whom to argue. He was total Master. A martinet who ruled strictly according to the “Word of Vince”

Vince certainly knew how to create muscle, but only his sort of muscle aesthetics – never muscle mass for mass sake - on anyone if they could stand the humiliating remarks, the no- nonsense discipline and were able to do everything right according to his word which WAS God. AND IT MOST CERTAINLY WAS IN HIS GYM! Get it wrong in Vince’s eyes and you simply did it again – and again – till you got it right. Forget pain, sweat and tears of rage. For anyone who didn’t agree with anything he said was OUT on the street with the clear boot marks created by Vince’s foot on their hard butt still resounding. I say hard and I do mean hard. That included top Hollywood stars who accepted his word and his instruction or else!

Yes, Vince almost made muscle appear on his members as though a magic spell had been wafted over his gym. For if he wanted square pecs on you then by God he got HIS square pecs (he almost considered that the muscle YOU built was HIS and THAT body (yours) HIS. He was forever experimenting on muscle growth. Also when in his gym, you did whatever he wished and commanded and force it to grow. You (as a member) were virtually terrified of displeasing him for when Vince was displeased the Hollywood Hills themselves shook in blind terror. You did an exercise incorrectly and he used you as a pathetic example to the entire gym of what not to do, and you can bet your life that everyone else took serious notice and prayed that they were NOT the next to experience his unbridled wrath.


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Vince's Gym

Posted Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Filed under Vince's Gym, History








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Classic Vince Gironda

Posted Saturday, January 07, 2006

Filed under History

Vince Gironda


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MEMORIES

Posted Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Filed under History

(MuscleMag, December 1983)

How great to get the copy of THE GIRONDA NEWSLETTER. Thanks a lot!

Reading through it sure brings back pleasant memories (The gym was green back then, with lots of spots on the floor). And a spider bench, do you remember the spider bench? Without question the best curl bench I ever used.

Bruce Chastain was working there, and then Bill Kugler. Great guys. Bill Smith, Ray Routledge, Larry and Dave, Jack LaLanne in the mornings with his dog, George Hamilton in that damned white car of his. Clint Eastwood. Other faces I remember, but names I forget. Russ Warner.

The towel curl. Did you invent the towel curl? Chuck Hicks! John Tristram. Glen somebody…

And all over it that half-cigar you never smoked, and friend, the real concern, the care and the personal involvement you had for everybody in the place. I remember your telling me how when you were young you used to drive cows from Burbank to North Hollywood and never crossed a paved road. Does anybody live upstairs now?

I wish all gym and fitness people could just take one workout in your gym. We’d have better people, I know (You were right, then…I never forgot it: You told me a gym can have the most expensive equipment but it’s who’s in charge that really counts. HOW TRUE THAT IS).

I know you consider yourself as hard as iron and sometimes nasty. Do you still yell about form…across the gym? Are there enough lockers in the back? Do you still toss a caber? (I do…back behind my house. 20-25 feet max.) (Great technique play for quarterbacks!)

Vince, along with David Ogilvy and Thomas Jefferson, and Winston Churchill, you are a hero of my life.

God bless you always.

Bob Kleinnermann


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Vince Gironda - A study in silver

Posted Sunday, January 01, 2006

Filed under History

(circa 1959)

Vince Gironda

Vince Gironda


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Don Howorth - The Natural

Posted Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Filed under Training the Stars, History

Don Howorth

Don Howorth

Don Howorth

Don Howorth

Don Howorth

Don Howorth
(Don Howorth, Frank Zane, Chet Yorton)


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History of NSP

Posted Monday, December 26, 2005

Filed under Optimal Eating, History

NSP was founded by Vince Gironda and Ray Raridon in 1972. Ray was a personal trainer at Vince's Gym and a representative for the old Signet Labs in Los Angeles. Vince was not happy with the quality and prices of the nutritional supplements of that time. Vince and Ray went onto formulate and sell their own line of products exclusively through Vince's Gym.


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Adventures in Diet

Posted Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Filed under Optimal Eating, History

By Vilhjalmur Stefansson
Harper's Monthly Magazine, November 1935.

In 1906 I went to the Arctic with the food tastes and beliefs of the average American. By 1918, after eleven years as an Eskimo among Eskimos, I had learned things which caused me to shed most of those beliefs. Ten years later I began to realize that what I had learned was going to influence materially the sciences of medicine and dietetics. However, what finally impressed the scientists and converted many during the last two or three years, was a series of confirmatory experiments upon myself and a colleague performed at Bellevue Hospital, New York City, under the supervision of a committee representing several universities and other organizations.

Not so long ago the following dietetic beliefs were common: To be healthy you need a varied diet, composed of elements from both the animal and vegetable kingdoms. You got tired of and eventually felt a revulsion against things if you had to eat them often. This latter belief was supported by stories of people who through force of circumstances had been compelled, for instance, to live for two weeks on sardines and crackers and who, according to the stories, had sworn that so long as they lived they never would touch sardines again. The Southerners had it that nobody can eat a quail a day for thirty days.


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Dave Draper on Vince

Posted Monday, December 12, 2005

Filed under History

I was asked to write a few words about Vince gironda -- thought you might be interested in which words were used:

ON VINCE

I hardly knew the legendary Vince gironda; I didn't hang in his neck of the woods and I didn't train under his influence. I truly admired and was inspired by his muscular, symmetrical physique. Many of his training edicts parallel my own, none of them are wrong and a lot are downright far-out creative.

While I bounced off the walls of the Muscle Beach Gym, or the Dungeon as it was affectionately called in the '60s, Larry Scott and Don Howorth were pushing the iron in the tiny confines of Vince's Gym in North Hollywood. Vince had had his day before the camera and on the posing dais, and his primary function had become ruling his roost and keeping his feathery friends from doing anything he wouldn't do. Squats, bench presses and deadlifts topped his list of destructive acts, and low reps and long rests between sets were forbidden. Bulk up and you get a black eye, Bozo.

In reality you could do anything you wanted to do, but straying from his precepts gave Vince the opportunity to vilify the doer. He thrived on the act, practice made him quite good at it, and he became infamous for it. Eventually, unless you were the subject of Vince's engaging verbal reproach, you couldn't be sure he loved you.

His love was valuable and hard-earned, and disseminated among those who dared to be honest and themselves. He loathed, and readily exposed, personal deception and pretense; he could identify a phony and his lie a mile away. Vince was, after all, the Guru.

Vince and I were very good friends, brothers separated by 25 years yet bound by the inexorable pull of gravity.

Dave Draper, the Bomber


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Vince's Gym

Posted Saturday, December 10, 2005

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

A member did buy Vince's Gym and he installed in a warehouse in a secret location in Hollywood where him and his buddies train. I've been there and it has every piece of Vince's fabulous equipmenmt set up and ready for action. I hope do a photo story about it soon for Ironman. The long time member who bought the gym owns 'The Cimmarron Group' which produces movie trailers and does publictity for the biggest stars in Hollywood like Arnold, Clint Eastwood, Leonard Dicaprio, Denzel Washington and about 20 other stars. They also do Arnold's Website and for many of the movie stars. Bob Farina bought Vince's equipment and John Balik bought the mounted photo collection.


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Ahead of his time

Posted Sunday, December 04, 2005

Filed under History

Occasionally a bodybuilder like Vince Gironda would come along, with a super-defined, ripped physique, but he was way ahead of his time in this regard. It wouldn’t be until years afterward that the judges would see a lot of defined physiques and therefore come to accept that look as an established standard of bodybuilding excellence. But although Gironda didn’t always impress the judges, he certain did teach other bodybuilders that achieving such an extreme level of muscularity was possible.


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Legends of Bodybuilding: Don Howorth

Posted Thursday, December 01, 2005

Filed under Training the Stars, History

by Rod Labbe
Iron Man Magazine :: www.ironmanmagazine.com

Gather round, friends, and tarry with me but a short while. The tale I spin has oft been told—’tis true—and the stuff of legend, some might say. Others, not so kind, have dismissed my recitation as a fool’s dream, nothing more than wishful fancy. Dream or legend? I must leave such judgment up to you, for I am a simple storyteller.

Picture a bodybuilding world quite different from our own, a kind of muscular Brigadoon, born in the hazy 1950s and destined to wither with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s momentous ascent. This golden landscape was ruled by Larry Scott, a most benevolent king, indeed. King Larry’s court included many shining princes: Freddy Ortiz, Chuck Sipes, Dave Draper, Bill McArdle, Reg Lewis and young Frank Zane among them. All were strong men who were noble and good and utterly without stain.


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The Sergio Oliva Party Photo

Posted Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Filed under Training the Stars, History

Don Peters and his beautiful wife Dee hosted several great parties in the old days. This one was for Sergio Oliva who was in Los Angeles in the summer of 1968 to pose at an IFBB show promoted by Dick Tyler.


Continue reading The Sergio Oliva Party Photo

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Denie and Vince Gironda

Posted Saturday, November 26, 2005

Filed under History

(www.ironage.us)

I remember when I first met Vince at his gym.

I made believed I was a very dumbed out punch drunk fighter...and walked around touching everything in his gym and taking pictures off his walls etc.

He was actually training someone to do dumbbell laterals his special way in the far end of the gym.

So he sees me doing all this quirky stuff...and comes running over..."Can I help you!" he yells with a pi**ed off tone.

I say..." Da..Can yas make me muscle bound and a.. a.. big?"

Vince really freaks and says..."I can make you so musclebound you won't be able to comb the hair on the back of your head"... like he was talking to a fool.

Than I became my real self and said..

"You know you're the guy who when my gym burned down, wanted to send me money to help me back into business."

Vince looks and shouts...'DENIE!'

You see long before I ever met Vince he was my methods hero. John Balik told me when Denie's Gym burned down, Vince heard
about it. He told Balik, he was going to take up a collection for me, never having met me...His reason:"We have to help independent guys like this guy who take our business seriously".

I never forgot that gesture.

The next day after my joking entrance to his gym...we taped the Iron Guru interviews.

Vince was the first ever to be called the Iron Guru. Which he grudgingly complained to Bob Kennedy about. Because he didn't understand what it was about...because Gurus were kind of
weird cultist freaks in those years.

But 6 months later...it appeared on all his stationary and brochures.

Vince was a very unique and innovative man and personal trainer. I was proud in the years afterward...he was also my friend.


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Vince Gironda Bulk

Posted Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Filed under History

Vince Gironda


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Larry Scott Off-Season

Posted Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Filed under Training the Stars, History

A photo of Larry Scott taken during a posing exhibition in Southern California (probably at the Embassy Auditorium) during the mid-1960's in the off-season. This was probably his heaviest bodyweight ever (as I recall, 220 lbs.).

Larry Scott


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Vince Gironda Mr. 1949

Posted Sunday, November 20, 2005

Filed under History

Vince Gironda

1st - Armand Tanny (top left - 30 years old)
2nd - Bob McCune (bottom right - 27 years old)
3rd - Walt Baptiste (top right - 31 years old)
4th - Vince Gironda (bottom left - 31 years old)


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Larry Scott

Posted Saturday, November 19, 2005

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

(www.ironage.us)

When he (Larry Scott) first met Vince, he said, "Hello, my name is Larry Scott," to which Vince replied, "So what?"


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Meeting Vince

Posted Friday, November 18, 2005

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

I only met Vince once and that was for just a few minutes. It was back in 1981 and I had read about him in the mags so thought I might be in for a little rudeness.

Well he proved me wrong when I asked him if I might be able to just hang around and check things out for a bit.

His reply was "Sure if you'd like, just don't feed the animals".

A big animal I did see - big Louie on a dip machine.

Vince even allowed me to park my 10 speed inside the doors so I wouldn't have to worry about someone riding off in it.


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Vince at 23 yrs

Posted Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Filed under Training, History

Vince Gironda

At 23 yrs - After 1yr. of Bodybuilding!


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Amazing Vince Comparison

Posted Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

Vince Gironda

Top: At 33 yrs

Bottom: At 43 yrs


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Vince begins Bodybuilding

Posted Saturday, November 12, 2005

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

Vince started weight training at the age of 23 after seeing a picture on a magazine cover of the great John Grimek. Although quite athletic, Gironda always desired to improve himself mentally and physically and began training in earnest. When he started training, he weighed 148 lbs., and he his arms measured 12 inches, chest 39 and thighs 20 inches.

He trained at the Burbank YCMA for about 8 months then he met the Easton Brothers, Harvey and Dale. He joined their gym where he was put on an intensive weight training program and made excellet gains. He subsequently worked a year in the Easton Gym as an instructor and studied all of the methods of training possible, eventually developing the present methods he uses so successfully in his gym at present. (Dale Easton is also known as Greg McClure in the acting world, and you may have seen him as the star of the movie,"The Great John L.". Harvey still operates a fine health studio in Los Angeles.


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Athletic Background

Posted Friday, November 11, 2005

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

Vince was born with a love for all physical activity. While in hgh school, he competed in football and track. Vince set a school pole vault record in Junior High School with a mark of 10 feet 6 inches. In high school, he vaulted 12 feet, high jumped 5 feet 9 inches, and set a school record in the shot put with 47 feet 1 inch. Vince weighed only 145 lbs. in high school, and he broke the shot put record which had stood for 10 years. I addition to his other track activities, he also ran the high hurdles, the relay and competed in cross country. In football, he played blocking back.

Vince still loves athletic competition. He throws the shot and does wind sprints regularly. He can still run 100 yards in less than 11 seconds, which is simply amazing. In 1960, he placed second to Floyd Simmonds in the Scotch Highland games in the Caber throwing competition. (The caber is a 16 foot pole that requires tremendous strength, balance and co-ordination to throw or heave for a respectable distance.)


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Movie Stunt Man

Posted Thursday, November 10, 2005

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

Vince was born in New York City in 1917. His father was a stunt man in the movies, having doubled for Raymon Navarro in the original Ben Hur. In addition to his movie work, Vince's father owned a riding academy where Vince became an excellent horseman. In fact, Vince has competed in rodeos as a trick rider, and has ridden five gaited, 3 gaited and jumping horses in horse shows. Later, following in his father's footsteps, he became a movie stuntman.


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Profile of a Real Champion

Posted Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Filed under Training, History

At the age of 44, Vince Gironda is one of the world's best developed athletes. He still retains the amazing muscular development which has inspired thousands to improve their physical appearance and athletic ability for the past twenty years.

Recent research has shown that the average American male is already on the decline physically and is headed for middle age at the age of 26. Vince Gironda is living proof that man need not deteriorate physically simply because of reaching a certain age. Vince is not only physically fit, but he is in CHAMPIONSHIP shape!

Now it is not practical or even possible for every American male adult to reach the stage of physical development and fitness of Gironda, but on the other hand, there is no reason why Mr. Average Man cannot remain physically fit and prevent the formation of excess fat which may well shorten life.

Vince's waistline still measures the same trim 28 inches that it measured twenty-seven years ago in high school, even though he has gained 30 pounds of muscular bodyweight through weight training.


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Vince Gironda

Posted Friday, November 04, 2005

Filed under Vince's Gym, History

1917 - Nov. 9 born in the Bronx, New York

1935 - While in high school Vince set many new records; Shot Put 47 feet 1 inch, Pole Valut 12 feet. Also competed in football and track, ran the high hurdles, relay, cross country.


Vince at 18 years old

1938 - Began weight training at the Hollywood YMCA.

1941 - Entered the first physique contest in the state held in the State of California placing 6th.

1942 - Began working in motion pictures.

1946 - Apr. 1 opening of his first gym.

1949 - Placed fourth in the pro. Mr. California contest, also expanded his gym operation into two locations.


IronMan 1951 July


Muscle Power 1951 May

1952 - Placed second in the professional Mr. America event.


Reg Park Journal 1954 May


Reg park Journal 1955 July


Reg Park Journal 1957 December

1958 - Placed third in the professional Mr. U.S.A.

1960 - Placed second in the sport of his avocation caber tossing at the Scottish Highland Games.



1962 - Placed second in the NABBA Mr. Universe.

1963 - Retired from active physique competition.

1966 - Made a guest appearance at the IFBB Mr. Western America contest. At top shape he was considered, at fifty years of age to be the most outstanding guest poser.


Vince at 50 years old

1960's - 1990's - Vince continued to train and exert a potent force on young champions from around the world, and amazed many doctors with his record healing time of a broken leg, due to his superior health and knowledge of nutrition.



1997 - 20 Oct. Died.


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I miss Vince

Posted Friday, November 04, 2005

Filed under Training, History

I was a good friend of Vince and worked out at Vinces Gym the last few years that it was around. Vince never took to liking too many people; but I was a skinny smart-ass who would stick up against Vince's gruff and after awhile he took me under his wing. He taught me so many things in the next few years about lifting, nutrition and life. I always said I was the last student of his; when he closed his gym I remained very close to him and his wife.