 |
| Clarence "Clancy" Ross - 1945 Mr. America. |
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
One quick note, and then we'll talk
iron.
1. The Original Dinosaur Files
Way back in 1997 I started the
original Dinosaur Files newsletter.
The first issue was 8 pages, and it
quickly grew to 20 or 24 pages per
issue.
I did 61 issues from 1997 through
2002, and then had to stop because
I was too busy at work to keep up
with them.
Anyhow, they're great - tons of info
in each issue - but they've been out
of print for a very long time.
Two days ago I gave John Wood the
green light to publish them in the
Iron League member site.
If you missed them the first time
around, this is your chance to
get a look at one of the best little
publications in the history of the
Iron Game - along with all the
other great stuff at the Iron
League.
Go here to join the Iron League -
and tell John I sent you:
https://www.ironleague.com/
2. Mr. America's Last Gym
Clarence "Clancy" Ross won the Mr.
America title in 1945. He was one of
the top three bodybuilders in the
entire world, along with John Grimek,
and Steve Reeves.
The three men had a big showdown
at the 1949 Mr. USA contest. Grimek
won, Ross took second, and Reeves
had to settle for third.
After winning the Mr. America title,
Ross opened a gym in Alameda,
Calif. He ran the gym until he retired
in 1981.
In April, 2008, Ross was living at
The Heritage, a special complex
in Concord, Calif., for residents
age 55 and older.
In other words, a retirement home
or senior citizen's center.
Ross was 85 years old - but he
still trained five days a week.
He worked out in a small exercise
room at The Heritage.
There wasn't very much equipment.
An old-fashioned Schwinn exercise
bike and a small pair of dumbbells.
A reporter for the East Bay Times
did a story about Ross and the other
old-time bodybuilders and weight-
lifters in the Bay area.
In the article, the reporter noted
that Ross didn't have very much
exercise equipment, and that he
asked anyone with some extra
equipment to donate to do so.
Pulleys, rowing machines, barbells,
dumbbells or anything else.
The reporter included a phone
number to call to arrange any
equipment donations.
The article ran on April 21, 2008.
And Bay area residents responded
with a huge show of support for
their longtime local hero.
The equipment came pouring in.
Enough for a great little gym.
It was perfect.
But Clancy Ross never got a chance
to use any of it.
He passed away on April 30, 2008.
The Heritage dedicated the new
weight room to him - and for many
years, other residents put the
equipment to great use.
And that's the true story of Mr.
America's last gym.
As always, thanks for reading and
have a great day. If you train today,
make it a good one!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. We're running low on Strength,
Muscle and Power, and because we're
moving to the Pacific Northwest,
we're not going to do another
printing.
So if you want a copy, grab it now:
http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses
are right here at Dino Headquarters:
Hard-copy and PDF
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
Kindle
http://www.brookskubik.com/kindle.html
P.S. 2. Thought for the Day
"You only have a certain number
of days in your life. Make the most
of each and every one of them -
especially your training days!"
-Brooks Kubik
BEFORE YOU LEAVE . . .
We have more than 25 Dinosaur Training books and courses in the Kindle
bookstore - here are several of them - head on over and take a look at the others:
 |
