Vince Gironda | |
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![]() Gironda in a 1953 issue of Tomorrow's Man magazine. | |
Born | Vincent Anselmo Gironda November 9, 1917 The Bronx, New York, United States |
Died | October 18, 1997 Ventura County, California, United States | (aged 79)
Occupation(s) | Bodybuilder, personal trainer, author |
Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)[1] |
Vincent Anselmo Gironda (November 9, 1917 – October 18, 1997)[2] was an American professional bodybuilder, personal trainer, author, co-founder of the supplement company NSP Nutrition, and owner of the celebrity-frequented Vince's Gym. As a competing bodybuilder, he placed second in the 1951 Mr. America contest. His nickname was the "Iron Guru".[3]
During the 1960s, Gironda's reputation grew as a personal trainer due to his pupils winning all the important contests, the most well-known pupil being Larry Scott, winning the first two IFBB Mr. Olympias in 1965 and 1966. Other notable bodybuilders who trained under his tutelage were Mohammed Makkawy (1983 and 1984 Mr. Olympia runner up), Don Howorth (Mr. America 1967), Rick Wayne (Mr. Universe 1965, 1967, 1969, Mr. World 1967, 1970), Arnold Schwarzenegger (seven-time Mr. Olympia), Frank Zane (three-time Mr. Olympia), Lou Ferrigno, and Freddy Ortiz.[4]
Gironda had what many consider unorthodox training ideas. He was critical of the bench press and squat, and was known for having very specific technique for movements like pull-ups, dips, and calves.[5] Outside of his personal training, he also was a proficient writer, contributing many articles over the years. His knowledge and passion for training was shared by those who followed him all the way up to his death in 1997. While many of his ideas were initially published in the 1950s and 1960s and have been ignored recently in favor of more modern discoveries, some of his principles have continued to be promoted.[6] In 1994, he was given the first Peary Rader Lifetime Achievement Award by Iron Man magazine publisher John Balik for his lifelong contribution to bodybuilding.[7]