The gym where it all started..

[Bouncer]

Man I swear, I would love to buy this place. Can you guys imagine the energy that lives in this place. Fucking awesome. This is where the greats of the 70's started it all. Who could I contact to see if this place could even be bought? I would fucking live in that place. I would return it to the exact same way it was in Pumping Iron. Heaven.

The original Gold's Gym Venice has been closed for many years, but the building still remains and can be seen on the east side of Pacific, south of Rose, north of Westminster.

[beefcake]

I don't think there's much energy living there anymore. Sounds like the place has been gutted inside.

This is a photo of the original Gold's Gym (1006 Pacific Avenue - located in the Venice section of Los Angeles). Photo taken January 8, 2005. This is the gym where Arnold, Franco, Mike Katz, and many other great bodybuilders worked out during the 1970's. This gym was featured in the movie "Pumping Iron" (also featured in the book Pumping Iron). I drove to the rear of the building (via the alley behind it) and it appears the building is occupied. Occupied by whom? As a residence or a business? I have no idea. One thing is sure - it's no longer a gym and hasn't been for a long time. My guess is that whoever bought the building from Joe Gold converted it into some sort of loft-style residence, but kept the front of the building as it was during the 70's (being aware of the building's historical significance).

[Bouncer]

I don't think there's much energy living there anymore. Sounds like the place has been gutted inside.

post the pic that went along with that quote if you can.

that energy is still there bro. i dont care if they turned it into a gay sex toy shop, the energy lives. whoever bought it, cared enough to let the "Golds Gym" stay the same on the outside. i would like to find more out about this place. anymore info?

[Bouncer]

check this out from 1965.

By Dick Tyler
Mr America Magazine, August 1965

Here's big news to all the BIG men reading this column. Well-known California muscle man, Joe Gold will soon opening a gym at 1006 Pacific Ave. in Venice. For those of you who know know, Venice is just a stone's throw from famed Muscle Beach. Joe, who owns some real estate hereabouts, is building the gym from the ground up. Nothing "made over" for Joe. Now this is going to be a gym for men. No fancy rugs or chrome - just plain old-fashioned weights and the greatest apparatus you ever saw. How's this for dumbbells? The gym will have two complete sets of dumbbells going from 10 lbs. to 80lbs. in five pound jumps. From there they'll go to 150 lbs. by tens. Already Joe is having equipment made to order for the specialists. Joe is a Weider man and you can bet your bottom dollar that this is going to be a hot bed of training ofr Southern California strong men. Co-managing will be ole Zabo Koszewski himself. How can they miss? Those of you not already here in "Sunsville" better make Gold's gym a tourist attraction.
The Famous GOLD'S GYM -
Where the Champions Train
by Our Roving Reporter
Al Antuck
IronMan vol 34 no 4
May 1975

Why are some restaurants and other establishments the "in" places to go? What is the aura of a place that makes it "the" place ? Bigness or expensive decor certainly do not make any place "in" automatically. In fact, bigness or costly trimmings might turn many people off, making those establishments Chapter 11 cases very quickly. Many businesses thrive because of good management; some businesses thrive in spite of poor management. What is the charisma of an establishment that attracts regardless of its mananagement, size or decor ?

Whatever it is, Gold's Gym on Pacific Avenue, one block from the beach in Venice, California has it. Gold's attracts many of the top California physique stars -- Schwarzenegger, Zane, Draper, Columbu, Bill Grant, Birdsong, to name a few. Gold's is definitely not a plush gym alal Jack LaLanne's, and it is not a big gym as most gyms go. Gold's appears to be the size of a medium-sized store. From the street you can look inside and see a floor crowede with barbells, benches, and other equipment. You can see members -- many of whom you will quickly recognize -- working out.

Gold's is a bodybuilders' gym. Here you won't find business men types who work out just to stay in shape. Most members are bodybuilders who work hard to gain bulk, density and symmetry, and they work hard with minimum time for kibitzing or goofing-off.

The lockers and showers are on the ground floor in the rear of the building. On the second floor above the locker area is the manager's office where you might find Kenn Waller, who not only trains here but also manages Gold's Gym.

Gold's Gym is a nice place to visit, and you may want to work out there.

[beefcake]

post the pic that went along with that quote if you can.

that energy is still there bro. i dont care if they turned it into a gay sex toy shop, the energy lives. whoever bought it, cared enough to let the "Golds Gym" stay the same on the outside. i would like to find more out about this place. anymore info?

The pic you posted is the one that was with it. Can't find anymore info on it though.

[GearTripper]

that energy is still there bro. i dont care if they turned it into a gay sex toy shop, the energy lives.

i think that's the wrong kinda energy you're looking for bro!

:ghey: :elephant: :whip:

[Bouncer]

well i may just book a weekend flight out there from JFK to LAX sometime this summer and see exactly what it has been turned into. i have to tell you man, if the price was somewhat reasonable I would consider buying it. how cool would it be to have that gym reopen..

[Bouncer]

i think that's the wrong kinda energy you're looking for bro!

:ghey: :elephant: :whip:

ahh shut up and go eat your cookie dough fat ass. :nutkick:

[beefcake]

Pretty old school gyms here.

http://www.csubak.edu/~jmaynard/gyms.htm

[Bouncer]

Compared to the image above, it looks like someone cemented over the original windows. i highly doubt it is condos or anything like that. if anything it looks like it may just be for storage. i am really going to look into this. i know it would probly never work or will be to much money but it is worth a try.

[Bouncer]

Cant find a bigger pic but this is what it looked like in the 70's.

[wnabeabeast]

I don't live far from that place, I drive by every now and then think about the exact same thing. Hey B if you want I can try to get some info about it see if it's up for sale or lease or something?
One down side tho, it's only couple of blocks away from the Mecca gold's and around corner from pretty big worlds gym. I don't know if you been to that golds gym but it is huge and I don't think people or the pros who goes there would leave that Gold's.

[beefcake]

Maybe check it out on zillow.com. Maybe there's some info about it there.

[coffee-guy]

I would workout there in a heartbeat - damn that Mecca crap...

[Cory]

That is a cool old pic....I love old school gyms...nothing fancy....just four friggin walls and weights. All this plush carpet upscale looking shit these days is for tulips like Rado. LOL