Nice to see this, I grew up in Santa Monica in the 50's and early 60's. It was a wonderful place to be a kid - POP and the Santa Monica airport were my favorite haunts as a kid. With 4 times the population now, it's not the same place.
There was a period of time between the bodybuilders being removed from Santa Monica and then moving down to Venice when the bodybuilders moved the equipment to a building a a few blocks east of Santa Monica. The equipment was placed in a dank basement of a building and became known as "The Dungeon". The builders trained there until Joe Gold, a retired merchant marine, in 1965, built Gold's Gym on Pacific Avenue in Venice. Supposedly, several of the bodybuilders pitched in a built Gold's out of mostly cinder blocks and cement.The building had no A/C or heat, had a skylight and front and back door they kept open to let the sea breeze cool off the place. The Venice 'Pit" came along later at that time in the mid-60's. Ric Drasin has some great videos here on YT where he talks about IT. Nice job on this video.
To think those people were considered “ unsavory “ or “ fringe “…. People who were into health and physical culture. If they only knew what today’s “ fringe “ or “unsavory “ types are nowadays. I had the pleasure of meeting George Eifferman in person while he worked as a personal trainer at Las Vegas Athletic Club. Although he was past his prime he still was Muscular and in shape. What a great personality also he gave me his card and I cherish it to this day. Steve Reeves.. John C Grimek all the greats … our current “ body builders “ of today are the most unhealthiest people ever and they’re sadly dying off early in life. Back in the day … only a handful took gear and for low doses and most didn’t like it and stopped using it. That’s why they for the most part had the longest lifespans compared to the “ bodybuilders” of today.
One has to assume they will call it "Original Muscle Beach" until the world shows some signs of caring. That day has yet to come. Face it: they blew it the first time around and now it's too little, too late. That's life.
The traditional end of Route 66 is the Santa Monica Pier, which includes an official sign to mark the most western point of Route 661. However, the belief that Route 66 ends at the Santa Monica Pier is incorrect. Federal Highway rules stated one highway must feed into another to not “dead-end” a traveler, so Route 66’s new ending was re-routed to connect with “Alt 101,” today’s California Pacific Coast Highway2. The official end of Route 66 is about a mile from the ocean3
Nice synopsis! Thank you!! 😎💪🏽
Nice to see this, I grew up in Santa Monica in the 50's and early 60's. It was a wonderful place to be a kid - POP and the Santa Monica airport were my favorite haunts as a kid. With 4 times the population now, it's not the same place.
I heard that there are hardly any white people there. I don't know if that's true
I wish this would come back.
Great History. Thanks for sharing this!👍
Really cool to see how muscle beach started
There was a period of time between the bodybuilders being removed from Santa Monica and then moving down to Venice when the bodybuilders moved the equipment to a building a a few blocks east of Santa Monica. The equipment was placed in a dank basement of a building and became known as "The Dungeon". The builders trained there until Joe Gold, a retired merchant marine, in 1965, built Gold's Gym on Pacific Avenue in Venice. Supposedly, several of the bodybuilders pitched in a built Gold's out of mostly cinder blocks and cement.The building had no A/C or heat, had a skylight and front and back door they kept open to let the sea breeze cool off the place. The Venice 'Pit" came along later at that time in the mid-60's. Ric Drasin has some great videos here on YT where he talks about IT. Nice job on this video.
Steve reeves worked out in Santa Monica
The more these pieces of history are seen the chances of bringing them back become greater.
This was cool and so informative!
Thank you this is priceless
To think those people were considered “ unsavory “ or “ fringe “…. People who were into health and physical culture. If they only knew what today’s “ fringe “ or “unsavory “ types are nowadays. I had the pleasure of meeting George Eifferman in person while he worked as a personal trainer at Las Vegas Athletic Club. Although he was past his prime he still was Muscular and in shape. What a great personality also he gave me his card and I cherish it to this day. Steve Reeves.. John C Grimek all the greats … our current “ body builders “ of today are the most unhealthiest people ever and they’re sadly dying off early in life. Back in the day … only a handful took gear and for low doses and most didn’t like it and stopped using it. That’s why they for the most part had the longest lifespans compared to the “ bodybuilders” of today.
I interviewed Pudgy Stockton many years back. She told some fascinating stories of that time.
This is where Jack La Lanne entered the stage...
This was fantastic, I would like to know what they considered an "unsavory" crowd that led to it shutting down...
Super Ultra Cool and Awesome
Back when it was nice and clean and clear of riff raff and other elements.
WELL DONE !! :-D
Every city should have a muscle beach,well for the ppl that are body beautiful, nothing wrong with it.
It’s not how you start, it’s how you end and as of now it’s not looking so hot.
One has to assume they will call it "Original Muscle Beach" until the world shows some signs of caring. That day has yet to come. Face it: they blew it the first time around and now it's too little, too late. That's life.
can't talk about muscle beach without talking about gypsy boots!!
Wasn't Santa Monica the end destination of Route 66?
The traditional end of Route 66 is the Santa Monica Pier, which includes an official sign to mark the most western point of Route 661. However, the belief that Route 66 ends at the Santa Monica Pier is incorrect. Federal Highway rules stated one highway must feed into another to not “dead-end” a traveler, so Route 66’s new ending was re-routed to connect with “Alt 101,” today’s California Pacific Coast Highway2. The official end of Route 66 is about a mile from the ocean3
1:17 - ooof . Rare picture of a natural female bodybuilder from the old days.
Kids watching in 2021, Who are those different looking people? Those are white people kids, they lived in California a long time ago.
Are there no white people in California?
Santa Monica the original muscle Beach