Published by Joe Weider in 1974, the following interview with Iron Guru, Vince Gironda, details the influential trainer's thoughts on the then growing popularity of Nautilus Machines. Unsurprisingly given that Weider was in direct competition with the Nautilus machine's founder, Arthur Jones, the interview proved to be negative at best. In any case, it highlights… Continue reading Vince Gironda on the Nautilus Machines (Muscle and Fitness, 1974)
Popularised by the 'Iron Guru', Vince Gironda, the Gironda Neck Press (or 'Guillotine Press') is unlikely to be an exercise you see every day on the gym floor. Dangerous if executed improperly, the neck press has sadly evaded most gym goers of the 21st century owing to the repetition of bland training programmes and the… Continue reading The Gironda Neck Press
A quick tip on military pressing from the Iron Guru himself, Vince Gironda. Known for his unique approach to the bench press and the squat, it should come as no surprise to learn that Gironda was equally opinionated when it came to the military press. At a time when back bending and sloppy form had… Continue reading Vince Gironda, ‘Presses – Vince’s Gym Style’, Ironman Magazine, 29:2 (1969), 20
Before beginning, I have to thank a series of individuals for their help in devising this article. The good folks at DavidGentle.com and Ironhistory.com helped point me in the right direction for the earlier history of the shaker. Likewise Ron Campbell's Bodybuilding Books and Magazines group on Facebook which provided several leads which helped sharpen… Continue reading The History of Protein Shakers
If there is one thing that we could speculate as being highly probable concerning the life style of primitive man, it is that he obtained his food primarily from animal sources and ate it raw. Historically, it appears that complexi- ties in food preparation and processing have come with the more complex and technical societies.… Continue reading Vince Gironda and Ron Kosloff, ‘Processed Food and Physical Deterioration’, NSP Research (2004)
Well known as one of the greatest trainers of his age, Vince Gironda's name has become synomous with bodybuilding champions from Larry Scott to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Though Gironda made his name producing some of the greatest bodybuilding champions the sport has ever seen, he sent countless hours with beginners and intermediates seeking to sculpt their… Continue reading Vince Gironda’s Beginner Bodybuilding Course
Unless you own a home gym, the issue of whether or not you train to music is usually decided for you. Nowadays the gym stereo is a much a part of the gym floor as the weights themselves. Depending on your gym, the decision to leave your headphones at home results in anything from pop… Continue reading Should you Workout to Music? Old School Approaches
Question:Â You seem to write a great deal about exercise techniques, yet I have noticed that much of it is in fact conflicting advice. I have been bodybuilding for ten years now, before that I did six years of weightlifting. I still do not know what is the best system to use. Vince, how do… Continue reading Vince Gironda, ‘Workouts And Body Rhythm’, IronMan Magazine, (November 1983)
For many lifters, myself included, the quads can be a notoriously difficult muscle to shape. It’s easy to add bulk and size, countless numbers of squats will suffice but where does the lifter turn when it comes time to refine, to sculpt and to define the thigh muscles? Now past readers will no doubt be… Continue reading Forgotten Exercises: Gironda Hack Squats
A piece of equipment ubiquitous across the gym floor, the Preacher Curl is a go to exercise for gym bros and dedicated trainees alike seeking to build their biceps. Combined with the EZ Bar, whose history is covered here, the Preacher Curl is likely an exercise we've all turned to in need of arm development.… Continue reading The History of the Preacher Curl
