Reg Park: Muscle hero who shunned steroids - Bodybuilding, Fitness and Health Forum Axiolabs and Syntrop Steroids Board

fastman · **Reg Park: Muscle hero who shunned steroids -** 11-26-2007

Reg Park: Muscle hero who shunned steroids

By Chris Barron

REG Park, who has died aged 79 in Johannesburg, was one of the greatest and most respected bodybuilders of his time.

In an age before steroids corrupted the sport, Park won Mr Britain in 1949 and, in 1951, broke what had been an American monopoly on bodybuilding titles when he won Mr Universe. He won that title again in 1958 and 1965.

Park was born in Leeds in Yorkshire on June 7 1928. His father was a gym proprietor who also owned a company selling barbells.

Before turning to bodybuilding full-time, Park played football for Leeds United.

There was ongoing controversy about Park’s exact height, which was put variously at 1.83, 1.85 and 1.88m. But it was generally agreed that, in his prime, he weighed a hefty 112.5kg.

He was the strongest bodybuilder in Britain and was fond of demonstrating his strength by lifting up the rear end of cars.

Another of his tricks was to lie on a bench, take a 67.5kg barbell in each hand and do five lifts. He was the second man in the world — and the first bodybuilder — to bench press 225kg.

Park trained seven days a week, ate between four and six meals a day and downed a large protein-rich drink of milk, cream and honey six times a day. Most bodybuilders of that period ate copious amounts of red meat (today they eat chicken and tuna), but post-war rations and a tight budget forced him to keep a mainly vegetarian diet.

Park was also credited as the man who put Arnold Schwarzenegger on the map. After winning the Junior Mr Europe title, Schwarzenegger said he would like to meet his idol — Park. He then stayed with Park and his family in Johannesburg for a period in the late ’60s and trained with him. He was somewhat nonplussed when Park expected him to be up and at it at 4.30am.

In 1970 Park was challenged by Schwarzenegger to compete against him in Mr Universe. Park, who was 19 years older and did not use steroids, unlike Schwarzenegger, lost by half a point.

In 1952 Park married a South African ballerina, Mareon Isaacs, and came to live in the country. He started a range of fitness studios, pioneered the personal trainer concept and sold his own branded health foods. He continued working as a trainer into his 70s.

Park, who was diagnosed with skin cancer eight months ago, is survived by Mareon, his daughter Jeunesse and son Jon Jon.

source: thetimes.co.za