Arley's Dungeon

I'm glad to hear there are some Bombers out there who are interested in hearing how it was in the 'old days'.

The Dungeon was great! Like the original Gold's, it encompassed a rare purity of purpose. I trained there in '63 and '64 as well as at Vince's Gym in the Valley. My training time was limited as I had a full time job and a wife and young son to support but I caught up with most of the regulars on Saturdays.

I don't recall that there was a 'guru' at the dungeon, just a lot of guys serious about what they were doing and discovering for themselves what worked. Some regulars were Dave and his partner, Dick Sweet, Hugo Labra (very hard), George Frenn (world record holder in the squat and a world class hammer thrower. I got into squat workout with him before I knew who he was and got a good lesson in humility), Eiferman, Chuck Collras, and Merle Carlson.

As far as training methods, a lot of the guys trained each bodypart three times a week but others were starting to switch over to twice a week ala Larry Scott (Chest & Back; Shoulder & Arms; Thighs & Calves). There was a tendency toward volume but the intensity was there, too. It was a Hard, Heavy, and Often philosophy. A bodypart might start with straight sets, pyramiding up, then finish with super sets. Super sets were probably used more often for arms and shoulders than other body parts.

As far as machines, we had a leg extension, leg curl, calf, pulldown, seated cable row - all crude, heavy and at times tenuous. I don't recall a curl machine that resembled today's models, but we did try a using a low pulley and an incline bench...maybe that's what was in Dave's journal...

Nutrition was about as basic as the training: lots of eggs, milk and meat for gaining. Cutting up involved tuna and cottage cheese and dropping carbs. Not very scientific but it worked. Sure, the top guys today are heavier and veinier (is that a word?), but when people saw Dave walk down the street at 250 and with a taper, not a belly bloat, they freaked!! In this respect, I've got a good story about Dave at Disneyland but that's for another time. Sorry to let this run on so long, but it's a joy to share. Perhaps I can put some stories into an article... PS: Henrik, hope to meet you in person someday so I can picture you jumping up and down in excitement.

Arley

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