Reg Park passed away.

[POWERJIM]

I had no idea that Reg Park died last November, anyway thought it would be nice to put some pics up of Reg Park who was an inspiration to alot of the Old time Bodybuilders such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, plus he was a Brit which makes him a Bodybuilding God in my eyes.

Reg Park

Personal Info

Nickname Reg the Leg
Birth June 7, 1928, Leeds, England
Death November 22, 2007 (aged 79), Johannesburg, South Africa
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight 225 lb (102 kg/16.1 st)
Professional Career
Pro-debut Mr Britain, 4th, 1946
Best win Mr Universe (3 times), 1951 1958 1965
Predecessor Steve Reeves
Successor Paul Wynters

Roy "Reg" Park (7 June 1928 – 22 November 2007) from Yorkshire, England, was a former bodybuilder, businessman and film actor.


Brief history

Reg Park was born in Yorkshire, England on 7 June 1928. An athlete from the start, he dedicated his teenage years excelling in soccer. He had no interest in bodybuilding until, at age 16, Park met a muscleman named David Cohen. Upon learning that Cohen lifted weights at his friend's house, Reg Park joined in with curiosity. Park's legendary physique would grow from barbells, dumbbells and a simple chinning bar.

Upon discharge from the military in 1948, he saw his very first physique contest. This was the inaugural NABBA Mr. Universe contest, in which John Grimek edged out over Steve Reeves in controversial fashion. It was this contest that inspired Reg Park to compete himself.

After one year of hard training, Reg Park earned the title of Mr. Britain in 1949. He then subsequently spent six months in the United States (thanks to a gift from his parents). There, he met up with famed publisher Joe Weider, who began to feature the Englishman prominently in his muscle magazines. The next year, Park was runner-up to Steve Reeves in the 1950 NABBA Amateur Mr. Universe in London (also a close contest).

After a second full year of training and experience, Reg Park broke what had been an American monopoly on bodybuilding titles by winning the 1951 National Amateur Bodybuilders Association (NABBA) Amateur Mr. Universe. He cemented his superstar status by winning the 1958 AND 1965 NABBA Pro Mr. Universe titles. Standing 6'1" and with a top weight of 250 pounds, Park was known for his muscular mass that was the forerunner to modern bodybuilding today. Park was also renowned for his strength, which he often demonstrated in contests and strongman exhibitions. For instance,it is on record that he was the first bodybuilder to bench press 500 lbs.

Just as famous for his mass and strength, Reg Park was an early influence and lifelong mentor to champion bodybuilder and current Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger.[1] Bonus footage from the DVD release of the classic documentary film Pumping Iron (1977) features Park mentoring Schwarzenegger. Park can also be heard performing the Master of Ceremonies duties in the Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia Contests featured in the film proper.

As an actor, Park made five films — all Italian Hercules sword and sandal.

According to Canadian professional wrestler Bret Hart, Reg was a good friend of his father Stu Hart, and was responsible for designing many of the buckles and plates for most of the championship belts of World Wrestling Entertainment.

Reg Park's legacy is continued by his son, Jon Jon Park, a personal trainer and former Olympic Swimmer. Reg Park raised and trained Jon Jon in South Africa. Today Jon Jon Park is the owner of the Legacy Gym, a popular gymnasium in West Los Angeles, CA. Reg's daughter, Jeunesse, runs the Reg Park Legacy Foundation which helps disadvantaged people access sport and fitness.

Reg Park was always active in bodybuilding and fitness. Up to the time of his illness in 2007, despite being in his seventies, Park continued to train clients at the Morningside Virgin Active Gym in Sandton, South Africa. He has been featured in many fitness and bodybuilding magazines, and has also appeared on the cover of MUSCLE magazine. He was inducted into the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) Hall of Fame's first ballot in 1999.

With his wife Mareon of 55 years at home and Jon Jon by his side, Reg Park passed on November 22, 2007 in his home in South Africa, after an eight month battle with metastatic melanoma (a form of skin cancer).


Bodybuilding titles

1946 Mr Britain 4th
1949 Mr Britain 1st
1950 Best Developed Athlete in America - IFBB, Tall, 1st
1950 Best Developed Athlete in America - IFBB, Overall Winner Mr Europe
1950 Overall Winner Mr Universe - NABBA, Tall, 2nd
1951 Mr Universe - NABBA, Tall, 1st
1951 Mr Universe - NABBA, Overall Winner
1958 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Tall, 1st
1958 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Overall Winner
1965 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Tall, 1st
1965 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Overall Winner
1970 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Tall, 2nd
1971 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Tall, 3rd
1973 Mr Universe - Pro - NABBA, Tall, 2nd

Competitive stats

Height: 6'1" (185cm)
Contest weight: 225-250 lbs (102-114kg)
Off-season weight: 225 lbs (102kg)
Arms: 18" (45cm)

Filmography

Ercole Alla Conquista Di Atlantide (1961) Italty. aka Hercules and the Captive Women (1963)
Ercole Al Centro Della Terra (1961) Italy. aka Hercules in the Haunted World (1961) co-starring Christopher Lee
Maciste Nelle Miniere Di Re Salomone (1964) Italy. aka Maciste in King Solomon's Mines (1964)
Ursus, Il Terrore Dei Kirghisi (1964). Italy. aka Hercules, Prisoner of Evil (1964)
Sfida Dei Giganti (1965) Italy. aka Hercules The Avenger (1965)


Reg Park Official Website - Home

YouTube - Mr Universe Reg Park

YouTube - Reg Park bench press

YouTube - Reg Park

[narcsarge]

Almost 30 years he had in the game and I have never heard of him!


R.I.P.

[lee thompson]

great posting PJ,Reg park was the reason i started training,a total inspiration,when he first started training he used to work out in the garden by candlelight and in the winter wore three tracksuits,his training routines were simple and effective,and in my eyes the perfect bodybuilder. god bless Reg Park,Englands legend.

[BiggerGuns=LongerDrives]

Yes, PJ, this was big news over here stateside in the bodybuilding realm.
Alot of people mourned the legendary Reg Park when he passed.

Narc, you had to have heard of him, you just dont remember.
He was a superstar bodybuilder long before Arnold ever became one.
Haha, one thing I found funny was back when he played Hercules in the movies, he was so big they asked him to "bulk down"...Hahah how many guys can be asked to bulk down to play Hercules?? Man, that has to be so satisfying to here that be said.

[POWERJIM]

Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Death of Reg Park.

Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Reg Park:

"Maria and I express our profound sadness on the death of Reg Park.

"Other than my parents, there may be no single person who had more to do with me becoming the person I am today than Reg. I first saw him on the cover of a muscle magazine when I was a kid in Austria in 1962. The photo was Reg in his Hercules film role, and I wanted to be just like him.

"He was so powerful and rugged-looking that I decided right then and there I wanted to be a bodybuilder, another Reg Park - and I could not have found a better hero to inspire me.

"I read every article about him. I saw him in his movies. I found out what his training regimen was and made it my own. He was a three-time Mr. Universe, and when we met and began working out together, it was Reg who impressed upon me how hard I would have to work if I wanted to achieve my dreams.

"I'll always remember him making me do calf raises with 1,000 pounds at 5 o'clock in the morning. It really woke me up that he worked out so hard day and night.

"He is the reason I was motivated to become Mr. Universe myself and come to America and make movies. And he was like a second father to me.

"Reg was a wonderful role model in so many ways. He was a gracious and proud champion who lived every day of his life to the fullest and was loved by everyone in bodybuilding, where he was known as 'The Legend.' And he was an astute businessman who used his intelligence, instincts and eternal optimism to become a tremendous financial success.

"Reg was one of a small group of people in my life who was always there to support me. Whether it was winning bodybuilding competitions, starring in a new film or becoming Governor, there was always a note and kind words from Reg. That pumped me up and helped inspire me for my next goal.

"As a young man, I lived and trained with Reg in South Africa. There, I saw another side of him that was impressive. That was the loving, doting father to Jon-Jon and Jeunesse and the devoted husband to Mareon, his incredible wife of more than 50 years.

"I didn't grow up in that kind of environment, but it really impressed me. Seeing him so free with his hugs and kisses and affection, I realized that's the kind of father and husband I wanted to be.

"Reg was a dear friend, an extraordinary mentor and a personal hero. I will miss him dearly.

"Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to Mareon, Jon-Jon, Jeunesse, his entire family and his many, many fans and admirers."

[POWERJIM]

Originally Posted by narcsarge

Almost 30 years he had in the game and I have never heard of him!


R.I.P.

He was a Bodybuilder in an era without steroids, plus he was the first bodybuilder to bench press 500 lbs, all without steroids so he had some seriously good genetics going on.

A picture of Reg deadlifting an old black cab.

[lee thompson]

indeed,Britains natural legend.

[narcsarge]

Originally Posted by BiggerGuns=LongerDrives

Yes, PJ, this was big news over here stateside in the bodybuilding realm.
Alot of people mourned the legendary Reg Park when he passed.

Narc, you had to have heard of him, you just dont remember.
He was a superstar bodybuilder long before Arnold ever became one.
Haha, one thing I found funny was back when he played Hercules in the movies, he was so big they asked him to "bulk down"...Hahah how many guys can be asked to bulk down to play Hercules?? Man, that has to be so satisfying to here that be said.

You saying that I suffer from "CRS Syndrome" BG? Or, just pointing out the fact that I am old? I do remember the movies though. Unfortunately, my BB'ing history really only dates back to Arnold, Lou, Tom Platz, etc. The guys from Pumping Iron.

Totally natural eh! Puts him as Top Notch in my book...