I propose you today to go and discover a weight room considered as the Mecca of bodybuilding: the Gold's Gym Venice in Los Angeles. Located a few meters from the famous Venice Beach, this gym has hosted some of the greatest bodybuilders in history, starting with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The history of Gold's Gym in Los Angeles
The history of Gold's Gym began in August 1965.
Joe Gold, an American bodybuilder and businessman, created his first fitness room in California. Joe Gold was a former member of the United States Merchant Marine. He also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War.
He selected a prime location for his gym: the mythical Venice Beach in Los Angeles. Venice Beach is world famous for its sunny promenade where artists, skaters, sportsmen and other tourists frequent daily. In a very artisanal way, he made himself most of the bodybuilding equipment made available to its customers.
Gold's Gym was sold by Joe Gold only 5 years after its creation, in 1970. In the meantime, he had opened several other gyms while continuing to design much of the equipment himself.
Today, just like Fitness Park, Basic Fit or Vita Liberté in France, Gold's Gym has become a huge network of gyms. It is considered one of the largest in the United States, with more than 200 locations dedicated to bodybuilding, spread throughout the different states of the country (Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, etc.).
On a global scale, there are nearly 700 gyms which are present in many countries such as Canada, Australia, Egypt, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Russia and the United Kingdom.
Since 2020, the Gold's Gym brand has been owned by the RSG Group, a German group with a strong presence in the fitness world and owner of numerous entities such as John Reed (gyms), McFIT and High5 (fitness and bodybuilding equipment) or Qi² (sports nutrition).
What is this gym like?
To return to the legendary Gold's Gym in Venice Beach, this temple of physical activity and strength training is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
It is composed of three large rooms with countless cardio machines and a large weight training area with both machines and free weights (bars and dumbbells).
This fitness center also has large locker rooms and an outdoor area ideal for working out in sunny Los Angeles. Crossfit equipment is available, as well as equipment for combat sports.
As in most fitness centers, Gold's Gym Venice offers its members various group courses with sports coaches: cardio-training, zumba, thighs-abdos-buttocks, etc.
For those who prefer the personalized coachingA staff is available to help members achieve their goals, whether it is to build muscle or lose weight.
The annual membership to Gold's Gym costs $100 per month, or just under 90 euros.
Gold's Gym Venice, the den of professional bodybuilders
If the Gold's Gym in Venice Beach is so well known around the world, it is because it has long hosted many professional bodybuilders.
The most famous of them is undoubtedly Arnold Schwarzeneggerwhich is the reason for this incredible success. It is Joe Weider himself, the Austrian-American bodybuilder's mentor and fitness pioneer, who introduced him to Gold's Gym in 1968. Schwarzenegger quickly became friends with Joe Gold, whom he considered a father figure upon his arrival in the United States.
This room was used as a set for Arnold the Magnificent (Pumping Iron), a film released in 1977 that traces the life of Arnold Schwarzenegger and focuses on thebodybuilding world.
Many other great bodybuilding athletes have trained within the walls of Gold's Gym. These include Dave Draper and Ric Drasin, Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbu, Jay CutlerShwan Rhoden, Lee Haney or Phil Heath.
Some of these champions are now honored to be displayed on the Mr. Olympia wall from Gold's Gym, a wall of photos paying tribute to those who have shone at Olympia competition.
Gold's Gym in Venice Beach is the preferred workout location for many American stars (actors, singers, sportsmen, etc.). Mohamed Ali, Clint Eastwood, Nicolas Cage, Kirk Douglas, Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Samuel L. Jackson or Chuck Norris have frequented or frequent this prestigious gym. Even today, it is not uncommon to come across famous people working out there.
Conclusion
The history of Gold's Gym is a true success story the American way. Since Joe Gold started a small home gym in 1965, a lot of ground has been covered. Arnold Schwarzenegger has certainly been at the origin of this worldwide popularity. Feel free to tell me in the comments if you have ever had the chance to do a session in this temple of bodybuilding. As for me, I had the chance to train there and to meet Arnold in person and many other champions of all generations.
