Entries in vintage bodybuilding (39)
Lesbians Catfight
Monday, August 18, 2008 at 15:29 
Lesbians Catfight
Click photo to enlarge
I started catfighting when I was only 11 years old. My best friend at the time, Christina, and I would go to her house after school and wrestle as hard as we could. Eventually, it would turn into a brawl of course. We would just go out it until her mom would come into the living room and scream at us to stop. She was afraid we would kill each other and we might have because it got very competitive. What a great workout it was though. This went on for a few years until Christina decided that she did not want to fight me anymore.She was very big for her age and strong, a great match for me. How disappointed I was. I just moved to brawling with the guys mostly from then on which was fun, but not in the same way.
This could be a catfight between Lynn McCrossin and Roxie Rain if you use your imagination. Check it out.
I can visualize the fight here.
I just love this old photo by the way.
femalemuscle.com
by lori braun
The History of Bodybuilding
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 10:52 Bodybuilding is the process of maximizing muscle hypertrophy through the combination of weight training, sufficient caloric intake, and rest. Someone who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. As a sport, called competitive bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their aesthetic appearance. The muscles are revealed through a combination of fat loss, oils, and tanning (or tanning lotions) which combined with lighting make the definition of the muscle group more distinct. Famous bodybuilders include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dorian Yates, Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbu, Frank Zane, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman, and Jay Cutler.
Early years
Eugen Sandow
The “Early Years” of Bodybuilding are considered to be the period between 1880 and 1930.
Bodybuilding (the art of displaying the muscles) did not really exist
prior to the late 19th century, when it was promoted by a man from
Prussia named Eugen Sandow, who is now generally referred to as “The
Father of Modern Bodybuilding”. He is credited as being a pioneer of
the sport because he allowed an audience to enjoy viewing his physique
in “muscle display performances”. Although audiences were thrilled to
see a well developed physique, those men simply displayed their bodies
as part of strength demonstrations or wrestling matches. Sandow had a
stage show built around these displays through his manager, Florenz
Ziegfeld. He became so successful at it, he later created several
businesses around his fame and was among the first to market products
branded with his name alone. As he became more popular, he was credited
with inventing and selling the first exercise equipment for the masses
(machined dumbbells, spring pulleys and tension bands). 
Sandow was a strong advocate of “the Grecian Ideal” (this was a
standard where a mathematical “ideal” was set up and the “perfect
physique” was close to the proportions of ancient Greek and Roman
statues from classical times). This is how Sandow built his own
physique and in the early years, men were judged by how closely they
matched these “ideal” proportions. Sandow organised the first
bodybuilding contest on 14 September 1901 called the “Great
Competition” and held in the Royal Albert Hall, London, UK. Judged by
himself, Sir Charles Lawes, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle the contest was
a huge success and was sold out and hundreds of physical culture
enthusiasts were turned away. The trophy presented to the winner was a
bronze statue of Sandow himself sculpted by Frederick Pomeroy. The
winner was William L. Murray of Nottingham, England. The most
prestigious bodybuilding contest today is the Mr. Olympia, and since
1977, the winner has been presented with the same bronze statue of
Sandow that he himself presented to the winner at the first contest.
Female bodybuilding
In the 1970s, women began to take part in bodybuilding competitions,
and was extremely popular for a time. More than ever women are training
with weights for exercise purposes with desire for a more attractive
body and to prevent bone loss. Many women however still fear that
weight training will make them “bulky” and believe weight training is
only for men. However strength training has many benefits for women
including increased bone mass and prevention of bone loss as well as
increased muscle strength and balance. In recent years, the related
areas of fitness and figure competition have gained in popularity,
providing an alternative for women who choose not to develop the level
of muscularity necessary for bodybuilding. The first Ms. Olympia
contest in 1980, won by Rachel McLish, would resemble closely what is
thought of today as a fitness and figure competition.
On 16 January, 1904, the first large-scale bodybuilding competition in America took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The winner was Al Treloar and he was declared “The Most Perfectly Developed Man in the World”. Treloar won a $1,000 cash prize, a substantial sum at that time. Two weeks later, Thomas Edison made a film of Al Treloar’s posing routine. Edison also made two films of Sandow a few years before, making him the man who made the first three motion pictures featuring a bodybuilder. In the early 20th century, Bernarr Macfadden and Charles Atlas, continued to promote bodybuilding across the world. Alois P. Swoboda was an early pioneer in America and the man whom Charles Atlas credited with his success in his statement: “Everything that I know I learned from A. P. (Alois) Swoboda.”
Other important bodybuilders in the early history of bodybuilding prior to 1930 include: Earle Liederman (writer of some of the earliest bodybuilding instruction books), Seigmund Breitbart (famous Jewish bodybuilder), Georg Hackenschmidt, George F. Jowett, Maxick (a pioneer in the art of posing), Monte Saldo, Launceston Elliot, Sig Klein, Sgt. Alfred Moss, Joe Nordquist, Lionel Strongfort (Strongfortism), Gustav Fristensky (the Czech champion), and Alan C. Mead, who became an impressive muscle champion despite the fact that he lost a leg in World War I.
The “Golden Age”
The period of around 1940 to 1970 is often referred to as the “Golden
Age” of bodybuilding because of changes in the aesthetic for more mass,
as well as muscular symmetry and definition, which characterised the
“early years”. This was due in large part to the advent of World War
II, which inspired many young men to be bigger, stronger and more
aggressive in their attitudes. This was accomplished by improved
training techniques, better nutrition and more effective equipment.
Several important publications came into being, as well, and new
contests emerged as the popularity of the sport grew.
Bodybuilding Legend Clancy Ross Passes Away
Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 13:36 Clancy Ross was a bodybuilding Mr. America in 1945 who still wanted to stay fit at 84.
Born October 26, 1923
Oakland, California, USA
While John Grimek was termed “The Monarch of Muscledom”, Clarence “Clancy” Ross was known as “The King of Bodybuilders”.
This accolade was awarded not so much for actual titles won, but more for how his presence and aura lifted the sport. Ross’ name became legendary because of his proportionately blended muscularity, his graceful posing style and the aesthetics that earned him major magazine exposure.
Ross was part of an elite Oakland-trained group of bodybuilders who emerged just after World War II. In a seven-year period, five Oakland musclemen became either the professional or amateur Mr. America. Ross was the first.
From that group came Hollywood film star Steve "Hercules" Reeves and fitness guru Jack LaLanne, although the latter wasn't ever crowned Mr. America. Ross was invited to join LaLanne for an upcoming fitness celebration in Sacramento before his death from cardiac arrest at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Walnut Creek.
"He'll remain part of bodybuilding history forever," said his son, Lance Ross, 46, who lives in San Lorenzo.
Ross was both amateur and professional Mr. America (1946) before becoming Mr. USA (1949) and Mr. World (1953).
As a child growing up in Alameda, Ross was given up for adoption along with two brothers and a sister. He spent his youth in foster homes and orphanages. Bodybuilding brought him stability and recognition.
After a long life of training and competition Clarence Ross became a writer with the Weider publications and other magazines, Gym owner and Manager and a successful businessman. He still follows a daily training regimen.
Ross must never be forgotten by the thousands he has inspired and for his great personal successes. Clarence Ross truly has earned a place in bodybuilding history as THE KING OF BODYBUILDERS.
Ross donated his body to science.
Ms. Olympia Moments - Bergmann Wins 2001 Title at Age 41
Monday, April 28, 2008 at 11:48 Ms. Olympia 2001 Juliette Bergmann
From a 2004 Flex Magazine article written by Steve Wennerstrom:
"Bergmann's 2001 lightweight and overall Ms. Olympia wins after a 12-year layoff will stand as one of the most impressive accomplishments in the history of the sport, and the feat places her in the same stratosphere of fame as Murray, Cory Everson and Kim Chizevsky. "
Lisa Lyon tribute gallery: female bodybuilder
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 10:26 Gallery click here 
Born 1953 Los Angeles, California, USA Lisa Lyon competed only once in her brief bodybuilding career, but what she lacked in competitive longevity, she more than made up for in helping the women’s side of the sport gain initial media attention. Lyon studied art at the University of California at Los Angeles, and became accomplished in kendo, the Japanese art of fencing. It was her need of added upper-body strength for kendo that brought her to weight training and, eventually, bodybuilding. After winning the first IFBB Women’s World Pro Bodybuilding Championships in Los Angeles on June 16, 1979, Lyon immediately became a one-woman media-relations activist on behalf of the sport. She appeared in all the bodybuilding publications of the time and was featured in many magazines outside the world of fitness and muscle. She made the rounds on the television talk shows and wrote a book on weight training for women titled Lisa Lyon’s Body Magic, which was published in 1981. Although Lyon briefly served as unofficial chairperson for women’s bodybuilding in its infancy, her fondest desire was to explore bodybuilding as an artistic medium. Elevating bodybuilding to the level of fine art, Lyon was photographed by the likes of Helmut Newton and Robert Mapplethorpe, and was the first female bodybuilder to appear in Playboy (October 1980).
Carla Dunlap female bodybuilder
Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:26 
Born October 22, 1954
Newark, New Jersey, USA
Coming to bodybuilding in 1979 by way of synchronized swimming, Carla placed 5th in the 1979 Best in the World contest held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
By 1981, Dunlap had won the American Women’s Championships, and she successfully defended the title in 1982; that same year she lost the IFBB Ms. Olympia title by just two points to Rachel McLish. In 1983, Dunlap experienced a unique triple-winning run.
She won the IFBB Pro Worlds, followed that up with a stunning win at the IFBB Ms. Olympia and, in December, completed the hat-trick by winning the Caesar’s World Cup.
A leading spokeswoman for bodybuilding over the years, Carla went on to compete in a total of seven IFBB Ms. Olympia contests and, to this day, is the only woman to have competed in the decades of the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. Carla’s last contest was the 1993 IFBB Ms. International. She remains one of the sport’s most highly respected individuals.
Carla Dunlap, perhaps more than any other, embodied the spirit of what women could accomplish in a sport previously thought of as an exclusively male domain.
IFBB.com
Shelley Beattie interview.
Monday, March 17, 2008 at 00:17 Shelley Beattie paved the way for all of the female bodybuilders of today. She was a hero to me. The world of women’s bodybuilding is mourning the loss of Shelley Beattie, one of the top female pros of the 1990s. Shelley died on February 16, 2008, in Salem, Oregon. She was just 39 years-old.
Shelley, who was partially deaf, was probably best known as “Siren” on American Gladiators in the 1990s. I cannot belive that this beautiful person took her own life. Tragic end for a wonderful woman and amazing athlete. We love you Shelley.
John Romano, Shelley’s ex-husband, says she embodied “the last of the Cory era”. Shelley was also known for her spectacular posing routines, even though she had difficulty hearing her posing music.
American Gladiator "Siren" photo gallery click
SIREN SAYS
By John Romano
Where do bodybuilders go when they don't bodybuild anymore? Why do they quit? Who knows? We hardly ever see them after they do; most just kind of fade away. Few, though, persevere and end up doing something special. This is an interview with one such former bodybuilder.
Photos by Paula Crain
Shelley Beattie hasn't stepped on a bodybuilding stage since 1993. Since then she has parlayed her athletic ability into a small fortune as "Siren" on the popular TV show The American Gladiators. During all of 1995, Shelley was a crew member of America Cubed--the first female team in 143 years to chase sailing's most prestigious prize--the Americas Cup. She has maintained an endorsement relationship with TWINLAB; done TV shows, movies, commercials, public service announcements, speaking engagements, and charity work.
For her, bodybuilding as a stepping stone is a drastic understatement. Versatile, courageous, sexy, strong, outspoken--a true role model in a world where there are few, Shelley and her indomitable spirit are something which bodybuilding should be eternally proud to call its own.
JR: Shelley, you were at your best in 1992 when you took third in the Ms. Olympia. Subsequent seventh and ninth placings at the Ms. International and the Ms. Olympia, respectively, seem to have been a turning point for you. Do you also think it was a turning point for bodybuilding?
SB: Nothing against Laura and Lenda, but, yes, I do. If I had won the O in '92, a much different standard would have been set. I had a much different physique than everybody else. I even heard comments like "they didn't know what to do with me." Getting third was definitely a complement to me, to how I trained... naturally. My beliefs in bodybuilding are very free, but, (sigh) it only lasted that one show. It kind of did a 180 the other way, and that's where things are right now.
JR: I assume you're talking about rampant drug use and what it's done to the girls, but you openly admitted to using drugs to turn pro in 1990.
SB: Sure.
JR: Okay, and since then you haven't used drugs. You certainly didn't use them when I worked with you...
SB: No way.
JR: For the naysayers, the proof of that is of course the fact that you were drug-tested, repeatedly. Certainly not by the IFBB, but by virtue of your employment by the American Gladiators.
SB: And the kids' show, G2000, we were drug-tested for that too.
JR: So, even though the IFBB failed to uphold its responsibility, a higher power did, and you were in fact drug free for the entire duration of your pro career. How do you feel about that--knowing that out of all the competitors out there, and taking into consideration the state of the sport right now, knowing that you were abiding by the rules--you were following the rules to the letter--you were drug-free, you were third in the world--don't you think that by virtue of all that bodybuilding could have taken a stand right then and there?
SB: Hell yeah! I think about that but I can't let it bog my head. You know, it's... bodybuilding was everything to me, it just totally consumed me in every way. And when you get way up there, and I was doing everything right, doing what I believed was right, and feeling very confidant--probably more confidant than I've ever felt about any goals that I've ever accomplished, and then getting a slap in the face...
JR: What was the slap in the face?
Shelley Beattie has passed away
Sunday, March 16, 2008 at 23:01 Information about Shelley's past:
Height: 5'7" Weight: 150-155 lbs
Notable Athletic Accomplishments: * 1988/1989 co-ed and women handcar world champion and two new world records (still unbeaten) * 1989 unofficial world record bench press: at body wt. 163 lbs benched 315 lbs. * 1990 USA
Bodybuilding Champion * 1991 Ms. International: 3rd place * 1991 Ms. Olympia: 6th place * 1992 Ms. Olympia: 3rd place * 1994-95 Grinder on America3 America's Cup team. Placed 2nd in World Championships Occupation: *
American Gladiator (Siren) * 1992-1997 athelete contract with Twin Labratories, the largest sport supplement company in the world * Contributing Editor of Muscular Development magazine * Public speaker on motivation, nutrition and overcoming adversity * Athletic model Favorite activities: Rock climbing (5.11), Olympic Kayaking, Modern, Jazz, Funk and Hip Hop dancing, Weightlifting/bodybuilding, rollerblading, gymnastics, biking, equestrian, football, swimming, track & field, national level heptathalete, riding her Harlely Davison, acting/dance theater, in-line skating, and jogging in deep sand
Hearing Loss: Started at age 3. By sixth grade, her right ear was so far gone she needed a hearing aid. The left ear followed shortly afterwards. College:Western Oregon State -- although receiving many scholarship offers due to her proficiency in track, she realized that she would need to quit track and concentrate on learning in order to make up for the education she missed due to her hearing loss Favorite quotes:
* Never doubt your abilities * Don't let others define who you are * God only gives us what we can take and what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger * Nelson Mandela's 1994 Inaugural Speech
Shelley Beattie is pretty much a complete embodyment of what I admire about female bodybulders. Shelley has managed to turn her life around from a suicidal teenager who couldn't come to grips with her hearing loss and found no support from her family to a very successful and popular athlete. She feels now that she has come to the point in her life where people see past her hearing loss. Although Shelley learned to sign in American Sign Language (ASL) she enjoys speaking. She has now learned to accept her hearing loss and states that she wants specifically to adopt a deaf child someday. Although her relationship with her real parents is improving now, her hearing loss (and her denial) caused many severe problems during her childhood and she was eventually placed into a foster home -- 3 foster homes.
Being stripped from her family took it's emotional toll on young Shelley and she began lifting weights about age 14 mostly out of frustration and loneliness. Although, the America Gladiators were relectant to hire Shelley because of her hearing loss, she has now become one of the most popular stars of the show. She also shares a column in Muscular Development magazine with husband John Romano. After a successful career as one of the top female bodybuilders, Shelley decided to leave bodybuilding to persue other interests.
