My sincere Thank You to "Natty Life" and the producers of this Outstanding video on the Life of the truly awesome Bodybuilder and Strength Athlete, Mr. John C. Grimek. I am 77 years of age and have been a Martial Arts Instructor (Shotokan Karate, Sensei) my entire adult life. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the amazing John Grimek at a Summer event known as the "York PicNic" that was hosted by the late and Great, Bob Hoffman, and the York Barbell Club. I was invited by two competitive Bodybuilders who were also excellent students of mine. The event was held in York Pennsylvania, and it was here that I met the Man himself, amazing John Grimek. I was so impressed that even in his late middle age, Grimek still displayed a remarkable Body! I was also highly impressed by his totally friendly manner and humble attitude. One could not help but immediately like the great Man! I spent close to 3 hours chatting with Grimek. I found out that John Grimek was of Polish heritage and was a patriotic Americans. I have quite a few Polish-American friends and I love Polish food, and so did John G. He told me his recipe for Keishka and how he prepared Keilbasa (Polish sausage). I also found out the Grimek was completely blind in one eye. He was working out with a steel spring type Chest Expander and one of the steel springs came loose and snapped back hitting Grimek in his face and badly injuring his eye. I can't remember which eye it was that sustained this terrible injury. After meeting and spending most of an afternoon with the only Man to win the Mr. America Twice, we continued to exchange Christmas cards for many years. He was a absolute inspiration. And, he would easily give tips on training to anyone that asked. He was also a Master poser, and would give valuable advice on that area of Bodybuilding. John C. Grimek was a giant of a Man in many more ways than one. Meeting and conversing with him is one of the highlights of my life. May John Grimek's legend live on forever!
Hello! Thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving this amazing comment. I cannot believe that this video has already reached someone who knew John personally. I have spent the past week researching the life of this great man and I must say that everything I read about him has indicated that he was nothing but extremely kind, humble and supportive to those around him. I really appreciate you sharing your story with us, it means so much. My very best wishes to you sir.
Great story and I too am a senior at 76 wonderful years. Greatest poser all time. I used to enjoy his Q & A that appeared on the back pages of S & H and later his contributions to MD.
I really appreciate that you've taken the time to write down your experience with John Grimick. These are the kinds of insights that you will not find anywhere else, except for someone relating their personal experiences.
Thanks bro! It wasn't what I expected when I started this channel, but there seems to be a huge interested in these types of videos. By the way Golden Era Bookworm has been making old school bodybuilding videos for years. He deserves a lot of credit.
In York, PA, back in the mid 1970s, I was fortunate to see John Grimek workout. Even in his 60s, John showed remarkable muscular size. He remains a legend in the physical culture arena.
I’ve recently taken an interest in the silver era of bodybuilding as I feel they represent a healthier look for the modern day natural lifter to emulate. Great story from Sigmund Klein
It's so cool how back then the biggest guys were almost always the strongest too. It's really interesting how lots of these guys were successful in weightlifting as well as bodybuilding. And the other way round too, notably Tommy Kono was a bodybuilder too. (That reminds me, it would be cool to have a video of tommy kono - natural BEAST of a man. Not only was he strong as hell, he looked amazing too)
Well done, JG was a early hero of mine. I have been lifting since 1959 and continue to do so now at 76 yrs. I primarily make use of machines in an effort to avoid injuries, however still pick up dumbells to perform certain exercises. I'm 225 lbs and can do 30-35 push-ups! Funny, haven't lost to much strength, but recovery is a little tricky!!
@@kalania14 this is not true. if you look at ancient greek sculptures, you will notice that the chests are much more proportionally underdeveloped compared to the chests of modern bodybuilding ideal.
Damn, MASSIVE back. We should bring back natty bodybuilding without the insanely low BF% We can call it the Herculeum or "Natty Baddies" and get all the natty UA-cam bros in on it 😏
@@Wayf4rer after he gets his competition experience, I wouldn't be surprised. it'd take a lot of effort, given the variance in living locations of all the noble natties. america, canada, the far north, china, and many other countries.
@@Wayf4rer avoiding steroids and hormones is a huge positive for me but some 'Natty' overeat. I appreciate the natural lifters back in the beginning who ate healthy, were muscular and strong while keeping lean. It's a MUCH better look than seeking to appear like monster.
8:15 The tall man at the left end of the 1936 U.S. Olympic team is Dave Mayor. He was 19 years old, and had been training for only about 18 months Dave didn’t do well in the competition - he didn’t have the experience necessary to compete at the elite level. He did win the World Championship in 1938. WWII stopped what would have been his peak years. In training Dave suffered a hip injury that ended his career. For the time, Dave Mayor was huge - 6’2” tall & 265 lb. He told me that he held the record for the world’s largest muscular arm at 21”. Dave & my dad were good friends from the late 1930s thru the rest of their lives around 2002.
Thank you. I’ve admired bodybuilding since the early 70’s. I had never heard of John Grimek. What a great and comprehensive tribute you have produced in this video. You have honored his legacy. Keep up the fabulous work and best of success to you in 2023.
Grimek has always been my favorite lifter/bodybuilder since i first learned about him. And this was by far the best compilation of him that ive ever seen. Thank you for all the work it took to make that phenomenal piece of content.
Astonishing good work, NL. Thank you for highlighting this tremendous figure of bodybuilding history. I’d never heard the name and now I hope never to forget it.
Outstanding work. 👍 The photos are works of art, but what really elevates this video, is your reading of some of John's own words, which are inspirational, eloquent and full of good cheer. New subscriber, as this type of BB content is sorely needed to refocus the younger generation back to the original principles of 'Manly, Health, Strength & Fitness'.
The irony of Reeves calling Grimek the greatest bodybuilder when in reality he arguably , became that himself . Certainly the most amazing , beautiful physique coupled with movie star good looks . Still none better .
He clearly had much lower BF% with clear abs when he was in his low 20:s. And at the same time almost just as big. Yes, the bronnze era bodybuilders often carried more BF but looking at old photos here on youtube there were quite a few that were really cut too. Grimek was at the upper limit of how much fat a winner could carry back then. I mean, even the old Sandow was really cut in some photos back then.
they didnt look to have big chest. Also Its due to their ab development to why they had clear abs even with higher body fat most of them stayed around 15-20% body fat.
I’m so glad that your channel exploded, you can finally bring these old school naturals to the forefront in the modern day, and hopefully continue to fuel the natural renaissance that has been ongoing!
19:09 If the *Greatest Body Builder of all Time* says You're the *Greatest Bodybuilder of All Time* then You're probably the *Greatest Bodybuilder of All Time.*
John Grimek was a true Bodybuilding pioneer. He was a true legend that grew up.during the great depression and worked in a foundry lifting heavy all day in a furnace then go and train for two hours lifting heavy. The man was through and through a bodybuilding and powerlifting legend
hey didnt look to have big chest so its easy to achieve most of their physique, focus on arm and back development so as legs. then stay about 15-20% body fat.
Great video! It’s a shame how Bob Hoffman ‘’screwed him over’’ by not letting Mr. Grimek take over York Barbell Co., & the magazines MD & SH after Hoffman passed away. The book ‘’Muscletown U.S.A.’’ gives a great insight to that era of bodybuilding.
Arnold has mentioned about John grimek and Sigmund Klein in his book ". Encyclopaedia of modern bodybuilding ". I am happy that you are recollecting memories of those great people.
Thank you so much for this. Though I was born much later, my introduction to bodybuilding started with John Grimek. My father, who was a regular at the gym idolized him, and had old magazines from which i preserved black and white pictures in a scrapbook. The role call of Mr. Universes started with John Grimek, and I have yet to see a more graceful poser. These entirely natural silver era physiques, of which he was the epitome, still remain my personal ideals. Healthier and more beautiful than anything that followed.
All these bronze and silver era bodybuilders are AMAZING!!! These are the physiques to strive for. It can be done naturally. Lots of food and lots of lifting.
they didnt look to have big chest so its easy to achieve most of their physique, focus on arm and back development so as legs. then stay about 15-20% body fat.
Yeah and it's crazy how many different poses he would do. Even after spending hours looking for photos to include in this video, I keep finding photos of him doing poses I've never seen before.
hey didnt look to have big chest so its easy to achieve most of their physique, focus on arm and back development so as legs. then stay about 15-20% body fat.
I appreciate the time and care you obviously put into this video. Your research turned up so many great images. They became the bedrock of our understanding of “Classic Physique”. This bio flushed him out as a man. I’ve always admired his physique. But through the stories you shared, I respect him as a person. His commitment to the sport he loved is honorable. Only surpassed by his humility and sportsmanship. Thank you for your hardwork.
Your video on Sandow was exceptional work and you have matched that high standard again.👏 I really appreciate your highly informative and objective style of presentation.
Hey man, I just wanted to say thank you for motivating me and so many others to really take bodybuilding more seriously. I'm 17 years old, and because of the amount of bullshit that I was consuming on social media, I began to lose hope of achieving a physique I was truly proud of without taking PEDs. When you show your own hard work, and the hard work of people like Steve Reeves and John Grimek, you show the community that acquiring an amazing body naturally is in fact possible. One movement I noticed you include in your workouts is the pullover, which, from what I hear, was included in the workouts of old-school bodybuilders. I would be ecstatic if you discussed this movement in one of your videos. Merry Christmas! :)
Bring back the classic Physiques …I been living like this for years since higschool I always wanted to lift my whole life so I didn’t want to go crazy and hurt myself love this channel .
@Natty Life From what I've read over the years, the last Mr America John won was "iffy". We both know Bob wasn't going to let "just" a bodybuilder win over his star pupil. Alot of people thought Steve should've won. I believe that was when Steve was approached by others to travel to other countries to compete and be in films. It's been a few years since I've read those stories. Again, awesome job on the video. I really like the pictures you chose.
Unbelievable vid!! Grimek was and is one of the top 3 to ever pose!!! I prefer Reeves and their is a 5 or 6 inch height difference..John probably was at most 5 foot 8...still Love John and did you see his Vacuum!!!!
That was awesome. And you are right. Natural Bodybuilders have to get so lean they lose too much muscle and glycogen to look muscular on stage often and spend the next couple of years trying to gain back the muscle they lost. It's ridiculous. John Grimek looked awesome at that body fat level he competed at. A picture of strength, beauty and health as well.
I thought Cory Everson and Rachel McLish were the OG's of women bodybuilding. Not to take anything away from these two wonderful athletes, but how have I never heard of Abbye Stockton before? Thank you for spotlighting her. Plus, your thoughts on modern female bodybuilding....just yes!
I dont know why I didn't find your channel earlier. It's so unique filled with all this great stories and info on best bodybuilders in history. I don't like bodybuilding these days because of steroids involved and I don't like their physiques as steroids IMO ruin aesthetics, make your legs look too bulky, so they look like just massive monsters, almost cartoonish. This guy John Grimek looks unbelievable, if I saw a guy like him in the gym I'd 100 % think he's juicing, but back then steroids didn't even exist. Even my mouth is opened looking at all these photos and we're in 2023, can't even imagine what Seigmund was experiencing. Now I'm interested in finding his workout routine!
Awesome channel. I'd like to get my hands on some of those old magazines just to see how they were thinking in those days and their approach to fitness
Great video! You hit it out of the park with this one on Grimek! Grimek is amazing - he represents strength, vitality & masculinity. This is a true muscleman of the Silver era. And that's a lot of muscle packed on a short frame - this should give short guys motivation to train hard, eat healthy & put on size. Great points on the fact that Grimek would be considered "fat" by today's natural bodybuilding standards. Lol. I don't know what is this obsession with sub-10% BF & skinny lean physiques. Those photos you posted of modern day natural competitors look ridiculous. They look like lean stickman, and they don't appear all that healthy either. Contrast that with the photo of Grimek, Reeves, Ross & Eiferman standing next to each other. Wow!..those are some serious muscular physiques! These guys got "masculinity" written all over them. Thanks for all you do on the Bronze & Silver era "musclemen."
Thanks. Really enjoyed this. Learned a lot. I used to work out .at Klein's Gym He was a great manager.. All the stars from the Broadway shows would come in to work out. It was over a hairdressing academy. We wondered what happened when we'd drop the barbells!😃
yep John Grimek used both the Mark Berry Barbell Courses which was the orginial 20 rep squat program,as well as the York Barbell and Dumbbell training system created by Bob Hoffman
My sincere Thank You to "Natty Life" and the producers of this Outstanding video on the Life of the truly awesome Bodybuilder and Strength Athlete, Mr. John C. Grimek. I am 77 years of age and have been a Martial Arts Instructor (Shotokan Karate, Sensei) my entire adult life. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the amazing John Grimek at a Summer event known as the "York PicNic" that was hosted by the late and Great, Bob Hoffman, and the York Barbell Club. I was invited by two competitive Bodybuilders who were also excellent students of mine. The event was held in York Pennsylvania, and it was here that I met the Man himself, amazing John Grimek. I was so impressed that even in his late middle age, Grimek still displayed a remarkable Body! I was also highly impressed by his totally friendly manner and humble attitude. One could not help but immediately like the great Man!
I spent close to 3 hours chatting with Grimek. I found out that John Grimek was of Polish heritage and was a patriotic Americans. I have quite a few Polish-American friends and I love Polish food, and so did John G. He told me his recipe for Keishka and how he prepared Keilbasa (Polish sausage). I also found out the Grimek was completely blind in one eye. He was working out with a steel spring type Chest Expander and one of the steel springs came loose and snapped back hitting Grimek in his face and badly injuring his eye. I can't remember which eye it was that sustained this terrible injury. After meeting and spending most of an afternoon with the only Man to win the Mr. America Twice, we continued to exchange Christmas cards for many years. He was a absolute inspiration. And, he would easily give tips on training to anyone that asked. He was also a Master poser, and would give valuable advice on that area of Bodybuilding. John C. Grimek was a giant of a Man in many more ways than one. Meeting and conversing with him is one of the highlights of my life. May John Grimek's legend live on forever!
Hello! Thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving this amazing comment. I cannot believe that this video has already reached someone who knew John personally. I have spent the past week researching the life of this great man and I must say that everything I read about him has indicated that he was nothing but extremely kind, humble and supportive to those around him. I really appreciate you sharing your story with us, it means so much. My very best wishes to you sir.
Great story and I too am a senior at 76 wonderful years. Greatest poser all time. I used to enjoy his Q & A that appeared on the back pages of S & H and later his contributions to MD.
@@NattyLifeYT hello NL, have you considered doing a series on rep breakdown for various movements and how to accumulate them for a routine?
I really appreciate that you've taken the time to write down your experience with John Grimick. These are the kinds of insights that you will not find anywhere else, except for someone relating their personal experiences.
Dude I'm baffled, you've been able to create a niche in fitness culture where I though there was non left......effing wel done🙌🏾
Thanks bro! It wasn't what I expected when I started this channel, but there seems to be a huge interested in these types of videos. By the way Golden Era Bookworm has been making old school bodybuilding videos for years. He deserves a lot of credit.
I saw mr.grimek guest pose at a mr.america contest . I'm guessing 1956. Holy hell!
Amen
In York, PA, back in the mid 1970s, I was fortunate to see John Grimek workout. Even in his 60s, John showed remarkable muscular size. He remains a legend in the physical culture arena.
Wow that must have been amazing!
One thing I appreciate about John is his posing, he looks like he always took a very artistic approach
Couldn't Agee with you more!
One thing I appreciate about John was his roiding. He was ahead of his time when it came to roiding. No strength athlete roided like John roided.
@@wrestlingconnoisseur well he didn't have any shrinkage if he did roid 😜
@@nolungesplease2945natty bulge 😂
they didnt look to have big chest
I’ve recently taken an interest in the silver era of bodybuilding as I feel they represent a healthier look for the modern day natural lifter to emulate. Great story from Sigmund Klein
Klein was a sujper cool dude!
Sheesh, he looks amazing. I really love this channel because it inspires me (especially the women since I am one and want to get buff) 😌
Love to see it💪🏼
It's so cool how back then the biggest guys were almost always the strongest too. It's really interesting how lots of these guys were successful in weightlifting as well as bodybuilding. And the other way round too, notably Tommy Kono was a bodybuilder too.
(That reminds me, it would be cool to have a video of tommy kono - natural BEAST of a man. Not only was he strong as hell, he looked amazing too)
they didnt look to have big chest
Well done, JG was a early hero of mine.
I have been lifting since 1959 and continue to do so now at 76 yrs.
I primarily make use of machines in an effort to avoid injuries, however still pick up dumbells to perform certain exercises. I'm 225 lbs and can do 30-35 push-ups! Funny, haven't lost to much strength, but recovery is a little tricky!!
That’s so awesome! You’re a healthy man
Great video, I love how silver era legends weren’t concerned with being ultra lean. It’s why they looked so amazing
Agree. It's what humans are supposed to look like. They look incredibly strong.
Agreed bro. They look like what ancients thought Greek Gods may have looked like
@@kalania14 this is not true. if you look at ancient greek sculptures, you will notice that the chests are much more proportionally underdeveloped compared to the chests of modern bodybuilding ideal.
@@ericwang9348 it depends, some greek sculptures have developed chests
@@ericwang9348 he was talking about silver era like reeves and grimek not modern day bodybuilders
Man you really did John justice with this one! What an incredible physique and inspiration to all lifters 💪
Thank you brother, I appreciate that
Damn, MASSIVE back.
We should bring back natty bodybuilding without the insanely low BF%
We can call it the Herculeum or "Natty Baddies" and get all the natty UA-cam bros in on it 😏
There's a number of natty guys on youtube with crazy physiques who could compete. Would be really cool to see someone like Alphadestiny organize it.
@@Wayf4rer I agree!
@@Wayf4rer hell yeah, I'd come
@@Wayf4rer after he gets his competition experience, I wouldn't be surprised.
it'd take a lot of effort, given the variance in living locations of all the noble natties. america, canada, the far north, china, and many other countries.
@@Wayf4rer avoiding steroids and hormones is a huge positive for me but some 'Natty' overeat. I appreciate the natural lifters back in the beginning who ate healthy, were muscular and strong while keeping lean. It's a MUCH better look than seeking to appear like monster.
8:15 The tall man at the left end of the 1936 U.S. Olympic team is Dave Mayor. He was 19 years old, and had been training for only about 18 months Dave didn’t do well in the competition - he didn’t have the experience necessary to compete at the elite level. He did win the World Championship in 1938. WWII stopped what would have been his peak years. In training Dave suffered a hip injury that ended his career.
For the time, Dave Mayor was huge - 6’2” tall & 265 lb. He told me that he held the record for the world’s largest muscular arm at 21”. Dave & my dad were good friends from the late 1930s thru the rest of their lives around 2002.
Wow what an aesthetic physique! Especially after seeing plenty of thumbnails from this week's Mr Olympia in my feed.
they didnt look to have big chest
Grimek forever the greatest of all time! Thank you for this exceptional exposé!
they didnt look to have big chest
Thank you. I’ve admired bodybuilding since the early 70’s. I had never heard of John Grimek. What a great and comprehensive tribute you have produced in this video. You have honored his legacy. Keep up the fabulous work and best of success to you in 2023.
Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the video
Grimek has always been my favorite lifter/bodybuilder since i first learned about him. And this was by far the best compilation of him that ive ever seen. Thank you for all the work it took to make that phenomenal piece of content.
Thank you for your support! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
He looks like a normal, fit, and healthy human being. Not many of those around today.
He was above average. Not many walked around to his condition back than either.
they didnt look to have big chest
He is the person who inspired the Mr Olympia trophy.
Astonishing good work, NL. Thank you for highlighting this tremendous figure of bodybuilding history. I’d never heard the name and now I hope never to forget it.
Thank you for your support bro!
Outstanding work. 👍
The photos are works of art, but what really elevates this video, is your reading of some of John's own words, which are inspirational, eloquent and full of good cheer.
New subscriber, as this type of BB content is sorely needed to refocus the younger generation back to the original principles of 'Manly, Health, Strength
& Fitness'.
Thank you for your support bro! 💪
@@NattyLifeYT 👍👍
Imagine being so good they ban you from repeating 😂😂😂
So very well made! I was smiling when you said it had you smiling when you read it haha. A true inspiration both these legends and this channel!
God damn, can you imagine walking into a gym and everybody reacting like that.
So cool
All of the haters who cry “yOu cAnT gEt biG wiThOut sTeriOds🤓” are salty rn 💯😂
The irony of Reeves calling Grimek the greatest bodybuilder when in reality he arguably , became that himself . Certainly the most amazing , beautiful physique coupled with movie star good looks . Still none better .
Keep making these! You do a phenomenal job! 😎
Thank you! :)
Well done, your videos on the Silver Era bodybuilders are the best.
Thank you for this documentary. He absolutely was natural and super strong.
He clearly had much lower BF% with clear abs when he was in his low 20:s. And at the same time almost just as big.
Yes, the bronnze era bodybuilders often carried more BF but looking at old photos here on youtube there were quite a few that were really cut too. Grimek was at the upper limit of how much fat a winner could carry back then. I mean, even the old Sandow was really cut in some photos back then.
they didnt look to have big chest. Also Its due to their ab development to why they had clear abs even with higher body fat most of them stayed around 15-20% body fat.
I’m so glad that your channel exploded, you can finally bring these old school naturals to the forefront in the modern day, and hopefully continue to fuel the natural renaissance that has been ongoing!
Thank you my friend 💪
What a great video! Thanks for the inspiration! Keep up the fantastic work 💪💪💪
19:09 If the *Greatest Body Builder of all Time* says You're the *Greatest Bodybuilder of All Time* then You're probably the *Greatest Bodybuilder of All Time.*
John Grimek was a true Bodybuilding pioneer. He was a true legend that grew up.during the great depression and worked in a foundry lifting heavy all day in a furnace then go and train for two hours lifting heavy. The man was through and through a bodybuilding and powerlifting legend
hey didnt look to have big chest so its easy to achieve most of their physique, focus on arm and back development so as legs. then stay about 15-20% body fat.
Very nice presentation. Thank you for sharing.
Great video! It’s a shame how Bob Hoffman ‘’screwed him over’’ by not letting Mr. Grimek take over York Barbell Co., & the magazines MD & SH after Hoffman passed away. The book ‘’Muscletown U.S.A.’’ gives a great insight to that era of bodybuilding.
Your channel is inspirational. Keep up the great work! ❤️🇿🇦
This video and the series in general have been super enjoyable to watch. keep it up broski!
Thank you bro!
Arnold has mentioned about John grimek and Sigmund Klein in his book ". Encyclopaedia of modern bodybuilding ".
I am happy that you are recollecting memories of those great people.
Jump squats? That's amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Watching your videos is always a pleasure. Your narrative is captivating.
Great video. I'm from New Jersey, too. My Dad was half-Czech, looked a little like John G. fun watching this! thanks.
I have no clue why this was recommended to me by the algorithm, but I really enjoyed it. Charming, wholesome video, thank you.
Thank you :)
Thank you so much for this. Though I was born much later, my introduction to bodybuilding started with John Grimek. My father, who was a regular at the gym idolized him, and had old magazines from which i preserved black and white pictures in a scrapbook. The role call of Mr. Universes started with John Grimek, and I have yet to see a more graceful poser. These entirely natural silver era physiques, of which he was the epitome, still remain my personal ideals. Healthier and more beautiful than anything that followed.
Fantastic! I've not seen many of those photos before. Thank you for putting this excellent video together!
All these bronze and silver era bodybuilders are AMAZING!!! These are the physiques to strive for. It can be done naturally. Lots of food and lots of lifting.
they didnt look to have big chest so its easy to achieve most of their physique, focus on arm and back development so as legs. then stay about 15-20% body fat.
Amazing video my man!! glad to see your channel grow well deserved!
Thank you brother 💪
Feck, 10:07 in and those biceps are some of the most spherical I’ve ever seen! 😱 incredible
At first I liked this channel. Now I think this channel top notch you will be on top of the iron pumping world. THANK'S
Holy moly that dude is huge.
Some of those shots are just Legendary, looking like a greek god painting.
Yeah and it's crazy how many different poses he would do. Even after spending hours looking for photos to include in this video, I keep finding photos of him doing poses I've never seen before.
hey didnt look to have big chest so its easy to achieve most of their physique, focus on arm and back development so as legs. then stay about 15-20% body fat.
You do excellent work
Thank you!
These photos are inspiring, majestic, and amazing. Thanks
I appreciate the time and care you obviously put into this video. Your research turned up so many great images. They became the bedrock of our understanding of “Classic Physique”.
This bio flushed him out as a man. I’ve always admired his physique. But through the stories you shared, I respect him as a person. His commitment to the sport he loved is honorable. Only surpassed by his humility and sportsmanship.
Thank you for your hardwork.
Outstanding presentation !!!
Thank you! :)
Excellent presentation. Great work. Really enjoyed it. I love knowing and learning about the bronze and silver era bodybuilders.
Marvelous, astounding content!
Your video on Sandow was exceptional work and you have matched that high standard again.👏
I really appreciate your highly informative and objective style of presentation.
All I can say is WOW!!!
Excellent video as always brother, very inspiring and fascinating. ☺
holy shit! that dude looks insane!!
Enjoyed immensely
One of the greatest old time bodybuilder !
Hey man, I just wanted to say thank you for motivating me and so many others to really take bodybuilding more seriously. I'm 17 years old, and because of the amount of bullshit that I was consuming on social media, I began to lose hope of achieving a physique I was truly proud of without taking PEDs. When you show your own hard work, and the hard work of people like Steve Reeves and John Grimek, you show the community that acquiring an amazing body naturally is in fact possible.
One movement I noticed you include in your workouts is the pullover, which, from what I hear, was included in the workouts of old-school bodybuilders. I would be ecstatic if you discussed this movement in one of your videos. Merry Christmas! :)
Thank you for your support bro :)
These guys are not natural lmao. John Grimek wrote to a magazine admitting to taking testosterone injections in 1952. Reeves was a juicebox too.
Bring back the classic Physiques …I been living like this for years since higschool I always wanted to lift my whole life so I didn’t want to go crazy and hurt myself love this channel .
A truly amazing athlete!
Really great video and history of the great John Grimek.
That was really good. Nice work. Pictures were good too.
Thank you bro
@Natty Life From what I've read over the years, the last Mr America John won was "iffy". We both know Bob wasn't going to let "just" a bodybuilder win over his star pupil. Alot of people thought Steve should've won. I believe that was when Steve was approached by others to travel to other countries to compete and be in films.
It's been a few years since I've read those stories.
Again, awesome job on the video. I really like the pictures you chose.
Just lovely!
John Grimek- the man we all want to be
Unbelievable vid!! Grimek was and is one of the top 3 to ever pose!!! I prefer Reeves and their is a 5 or 6 inch height difference..John probably was at most 5 foot 8...still Love John and did you see his Vacuum!!!!
Your channel is *amazing*. Thanks so much for helping us natty guys stay motivated and pushing for change in the sport.
He was a straight up beast, looked amazing before steroids was synthesised in 1937ish wow
Steroids weren’t synthesised until 1954.
@@squirrellsquats8428 incorrect it was actually 1935 in Germany, when it was used for bodybuilding is debatable but heavily used in the 1950s
@@mofojohnson1 Testosterone synthesised in 1935, anabolic steroids in 1954.
Nilevar came on the market about 1956. Dianabol about 1958
Great video
Great video!
That was awesome. And you are right. Natural Bodybuilders have to get so lean they lose too much muscle and glycogen to look muscular on stage often and spend the next couple of years trying to gain back the muscle they lost. It's ridiculous. John Grimek looked awesome at that body fat level he competed at. A picture of strength, beauty and health as well.
I thought Cory Everson and Rachel McLish were the OG's of women bodybuilding. Not to take anything away from these two wonderful athletes, but how have I never heard of Abbye Stockton before? Thank you for spotlighting her. Plus, your thoughts on modern female bodybuilding....just yes!
Incredible and innovative posing!! Aesthetic and Ancient Sculptor looking.
Your channel ia gold for natty lifters thx bro
I vow to help you bring back this trend.
Bro I love your channel so much !
Great stuff. Appreciate your work Natty!
JCG had great symmetry, neither top heavy or leg heavy. When he was coming up, gyms didn't have all the fancy equipment and machines they have today.
I've seen pictures of him (albeit dressed) in his 70s and he looked tough and solid.
I love these videos
I dont know why I didn't find your channel earlier. It's so unique filled with all this great stories and info on best bodybuilders in history. I don't like bodybuilding these days because of steroids involved and I don't like their physiques as steroids IMO ruin aesthetics, make your legs look too bulky, so they look like just massive monsters, almost cartoonish. This guy John Grimek looks unbelievable, if I saw a guy like him in the gym I'd 100 % think he's juicing, but back then steroids didn't even exist. Even my mouth is opened looking at all these photos and we're in 2023, can't even imagine what Seigmund was experiencing. Now I'm interested in finding his workout routine!
Keep goin' Bruh, You're almost at 100k. *You Got this.*
Awesome channel. I'd like to get my hands on some of those old magazines just to see how they were thinking in those days and their approach to fitness
Great, tks.
Excellent work on the video! Thank you for making this series. Very well done.
I love the videos you're inspiring many including me
He looks better than many juicebuilders nowadays.
they didnt look to have big chest
Great video! You hit it out of the park with this one on Grimek! Grimek is amazing - he represents strength, vitality & masculinity. This is a true muscleman of the Silver era. And that's a lot of muscle packed on a short frame - this should give short guys motivation to train hard, eat healthy & put on size.
Great points on the fact that Grimek would be considered "fat" by today's natural bodybuilding standards. Lol. I don't know what is this obsession with sub-10% BF & skinny lean physiques. Those photos you posted of modern day natural competitors look ridiculous. They look like lean stickman, and they don't appear all that healthy either. Contrast that with the photo of Grimek, Reeves, Ross & Eiferman standing next to each other. Wow!..those are some serious muscular physiques! These guys got "masculinity" written all over them.
Thanks for all you do on the Bronze & Silver era "musclemen."
Beutiful story thank you to share with Us 👊 Great Job
Great episode
Thanks. Really enjoyed this. Learned a lot. I used to work out .at Klein's Gym He was a great manager.. All the stars from the Broadway shows would come in to work out. It was over a hairdressing academy. We wondered what happened when we'd drop the barbells!😃
yep John Grimek used both the Mark Berry Barbell Courses which was the orginial 20 rep squat program,as well as the York Barbell and Dumbbell training system created by Bob Hoffman
I didn't even know of Grimek until now. What a impressive physique.
Thank You
I heard that monologue and briefly wondered if I'm not listening to my other evening programme, lol.
Great information, thanks
Jeez. Grimek was an absolute monster.