Muscle Beach

I was 9 years old when I visited Venice Beach and I was utterly compelled by the interesting folk that hung out there. I was convinced I had met the REAL Madonna (her Erotica era) not once questioning why she needed $10 out of me, I was bowled over by the skateboarding bull dog and so desperate to find Pamela (my Dad telling me to join the line). But it wasn't until I encountered Muscle Beach that I discovered what was at the very heart of this amazing place - body definition.



The guys lifting weights and flexing pecs was extreme and my response (completely normal for a 9 year old) was that I wanted to become the wife of a body builder, (mum telling me to get in line)

A little older, and with a different perspective on a potential future husband, I've turned my attentions to the Muscle Beach of the 1950s, where guys and gals not only pumped iron but held impressive gymnastic displays.



And holy crap they looked HOT, building human pyramids nearly two stories high and muscled men tossing beautiful women through the air. If you want to see more pics from this fabulous era in body building and tumbling then check out Harold Zinkin's book Remembering Muscle Beach it's a real treat.

And to get me all excited about my impending trip to LA, what better way than to watch 60s movie Muscle Beach Party