The Journal
Gym history & LA stories
Everything we've learned about Muscle Beach, Gold's Gym, the Golden Era legends and visiting Los Angeles as a fitness fan.
Golden Era legends
Where Arnold and the Golden Era Legends Trained in Los Angeles
Arnold Schwarzenegger trained at Gold's Gym in Venice and on the sand at Muscle Beach after arriving in 1968. Here are the LA landmarks tied to him and his Golden Era peers, and what you can see at each one today.
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The Golden Era Legends of Venice Beach: Who Trained There
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franco Columbu, Dave Draper, Frank Zane, Robby Robinson, Lou Ferrigno and Ken Waller all trained in Venice during the Golden Era. Here is who they were and how each one connects to the neighborhood.
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Jack LaLanne and the Original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica
Jack LaLanne, the "Godfather of Fitness," was one of the best-known regulars at the Original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica. Here is how he fits into its story, which of his feats are documented, and where to see the site today.
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Who Was Joe Gold? The Man Behind Gold's Gym and World Gym
Joe Gold (1922–2004) was a Los Angeles machinist and Muscle Beach regular who opened the first Gold's Gym in Venice in 1965 and later founded World Gym. Here is his story, from Boyle Heights to the Mecca of bodybuilding.
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