Reg Park was an Englishman whose physique shaped an entire generation of bodybuilders – including a young Arnold Schwarzenegger. A three-time Mr. Universe, one of the first Europeans to bench press over 500 pounds, and the man who in 1949 went from 196 pounds to 226 pounds in eight months. This is the story of how a boy from Leeds made it onto the golden pages of bodybuilding history.
Reg Park: youth in Leeds and the first encounter with iron
The man who became a hero to Arnold and millions of bodybuilders was born in Leeds on 17 June 1928. When you think of bodybuilding history, Leeds is hardly the first place that comes to mind – it was a gloomy industrial city, not a California beach. Yet one of the biggest stars of the 50s and 60s came out of it.
Reg’s childhood was sporty, as it is for most top bodybuilders. He shone on the football pitch and in track and field, but at first nothing suggested he would become the biggest role model of a future governor of California. The push came from an injury instead. While playing football, he twisted his knee and ended up in rehabilitation. Part of the treatment involved weighted extensions – a weight was strapped to the leg and he performed leg extensions. It was his first brief encounter with the “world of iron”, and Reg was instantly captivated.
Soon afterwards he saw a picture in Health & Strength magazine of Vic Nicolette, then Mr. New York City. His decision was instant: he would settle for nothing less. But inspiration was one thing – the way forward led through Dave Cohen. Reg met him by the Leeds swimming pool in 1946. Cohen’s 17-inch arms, neck and calves were considered the best in the world at the time. Cohen invited the enthusiastic young man to train together, and a door opened to the world of barbells, squats and presses.
The army, Singapore and the comeback
In 1946 his career was put on hold – the call-up from the British Army arrived. Moving from Leeds to Singapore would have been a culture shock for the average person, with bodybuilding the last thing on their mind. Reg, however, turned the situation to his advantage. Thanks to his earlier lifting experience, he became a sports instructor in the army. With no weights available, he kept in shape with bodyweight exercises, and a friend sent him every new issue of Health & Strength and Your Physique from England.
After two years of military service he returned to England and found himself in the audience at the 1948 NABBA Mr. Universe. All attention was on two giants: the Americans John Grimek and Steve Reeves. Dense mass versus classical lines. Most of the crowd admitted afterwards that Reeves had the better physique, but Grimek’s free routine – handstands, acrobatics, flexibility – drove the hall wild. It probably influenced the judges too. Reg left the hall burning with motivation.
During the day he studied at the Leeds college of commerce and business; in the evenings he immersed himself in the “world of iron”. A makeshift gym had been built in his parents’ backyard. His first baptism of fire came at the 1949 Mr. North East Britain – a win with ease. It brought an invitation to Mr. Britain. Preparing for the contest was made harder by the fact that final exams were waiting a month before the competition. Reg realized that the backyard level was no longer enough and joined Henry Atkins’ Viking Gym. Not the fanciest gym, but hardcore. The hard training paid off: his weight rose from 196 pounds to 226 pounds, and he became Mr. Britain.
Reg Park as bodybuilding’s powerhouse
Ahead of Mr. Britain, Reg’s strength numbers climbed to the level that later brought him fame. In training he bench pressed over 300-pound barbells with ease – at a time when most bodybuilders were operating somewhere between 225 and 250 pounds. With squats he built himself a mighty pair of legs, doing deep squats with over 400 pounds. The most striking number was probably that he used dumbbells of over 100 pounds for biceps curls and shoulder presses.
In 1954 Reg became the first man in Europe and the second in the world to bench press over 500 pounds. From the mid-50s to the end of the decade he was probably the strongest bodybuilder of all. In his workouts he regularly moved 185-pound dumbbells for chest presses on both the flat and the incline bench, over 500-pound barbells for squats and 300-pound dumbbells for behind-the-neck presses. It was weight that many powerlifters would envy even today – yet it was lifted with the classic bodybuilder’s form and symmetry.
The road to America and the Mr. Universe dream
Unlike many parents, who tried to steer their children away from such a “strange” sport, Reg’s parents supported him completely. His 1949 Mr. Britain win encouraged them so much that they paid for their son’s trip to America. Reg made the most of his time – like a sponge, he soaked up information from the champions of the day such as Steve Reeves, Clancy Ross and George Eiferman.
In the US he competed in Best Developed Athlete of America and won it with ease, as he had many times before. His fame grew by leaps and bounds. Back in Europe, he won Mr. Europe in 1950. The stage was set for the main dream – the Mr. Universe title.
And speaking of legacy: at the 2001 Arnold Classic, Schwarzenegger presented a lifetime achievement award for the first time. He chose Reg Park for it – the man whose physique had influenced him most in his youth. Those in the hall noted that even at the venerable age of 73, Reg was in such shape that he could have made waves in the main contest.
Reg Park FAQ
Why did Arnold Schwarzenegger regard Reg Park as his idol?
Arnold has said himself that he saw Reg Park as Hercules in the film and was captivated, determined to look like Reg one day. He studied every movement and pose. Reg combined mass, symmetry and strength in a rare way – exactly what the young Arnold wanted to achieve himself.
How strong was Reg Park by bodybuilding standards?
Exceptionally. In 1954, he became the first European to bench press over 500 pounds. In training, he worked with 185-pound dumbbells lying down and 300-pound ones behind the neck. His squat of over 400 pounds was outstanding for the era.
Where did Reg Park’s bodybuilding journey begin?
It all started with a football injury and rehabilitation in Leeds. His first coach was Dave Cohen, whom he met by the pool in 1946. Right after that, the work with barbells, squats and presses began.
To be continued…
Author: Taavi
Come and train! ArtGym
