In England we did not have a Muscle Beach per se, though we did have beach resorts like Ramsgate, Blackpool and Brighton where a few bodybuilders would congregate to work out post-war and a few local contests were held. Of course London hosted the Mr London, Mr Britain and Mr Universe contests. Bodybuilders like Reub Martin, Reg Park, Spencer Churchill, John Lees, and David Prowse were renowned in their day. The Best of Britain. 🇬🇧
Muscle Beach would attract bodybuilders, weightlifters, acrobats, gymnasts and tumblers. Circus and carnival performers and adagio dancers from the night clubs would also show off their skills. The bodybuilders would strut their stuff at Muscle Beach on summer weekends, and contests and special events would be held on Easter, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. The physique photographers would show up on occasion, take photos and pass out their business cards. Muscle Beach also played host to volley ball, table tennis and chess tournaments and trampoline contests. Family fun for all. Of course, as in most beach towns, there was an underbelly of vice of cocaine and heroin dealers, gambling bookies and a few bodybuilders that hustled on the side. And an alternative world of beatniks, avant garde artists and some long haired, pot smoking, drum playing old men who were precursors of the hippies. Gryf
In England we did not have a Muscle Beach per se, though we did have beach resorts like Ramsgate, Blackpool and Brighton where a few bodybuilders would congregate to work out post-war and a few local contests were held. Of course London hosted the Mr London, Mr Britain and Mr Universe contests.
ReplyDeleteBodybuilders like Reub Martin, Reg Park, Spencer Churchill, John Lees, and David Prowse were renowned in their day.
The Best of Britain. 🇬🇧
Muscle Beach would attract bodybuilders, weightlifters, acrobats, gymnasts and tumblers. Circus and carnival performers and adagio dancers from the night clubs would also show off their skills.
ReplyDeleteThe bodybuilders would strut their stuff at Muscle Beach on summer weekends, and contests and special events would be held on Easter, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. The physique photographers would show up on occasion, take photos and pass out their business cards. Muscle Beach also played host to volley ball, table tennis and chess tournaments and trampoline contests. Family fun for all.
Of course, as in most beach towns, there was an underbelly of vice of cocaine and heroin dealers, gambling bookies and a few bodybuilders that hustled on the side. And an alternative world of beatniks, avant garde artists and some long haired, pot smoking, drum playing old men who were precursors of the hippies.
Gryf