JOHN GRIMEK reading references, by Joe Roark, IFBB Men's Historian

Adapted list for www.ironhistory.com

 

Part 1 of 4

 

Introduction: Several years ago I shared a version of this file with

a handful of people. Now I share it with you. Please remember when

this was written it was never intended to be seen by anyone but me- so I

ignored typos of spelling, but corrected numerical typos.

 

  Born, June 17, 1910 John Carroll Grimek, died Nov 20, 1998

(John told me he did not know if his birthday was June 16,17,or

18th,so he choose, as always, the symmetrical, middle position.

 

My codes: @ means a paragraph/paragraphs

ex/exs mean exercise or exercises

app/apps means appearance/appearances

pho means photo

For those who have the following issues of Strength & Health

magazine, this listing will prove invaluable; for those who do not, it will

serve as a guide regarding which issues you may want to seek.

 

Before presenting this I DID NOT recheck each of the hundreds of

references in the following 1,200 plus lines, so if you find an

error, please do me the favor of pointing it out so it may be

corrected and that we may all take note.

 

First, notations about John, then following, lists of articles

written by or about him, all relevant to Strength & Health mag.

The S&H file will be presented in segments over the next few

months, interspersed with other ironhistory.com material.

I do not usually share my files, but am making an exception.

-Joe Roark

 

        STRENGTH & HEALTH:

        May 1934 p  9  first photo in S&H?

                 p 22  "first time that Grimek has ever lifted in com-

                       petition" won heavywt New Jersey Chps in Newark.

                       220.5 - 214.5 - 275 = 710

        Jul 1934 p 15  @ pho, incorrectly referred toas "Earle Sands"

                 p 25  at the 8th Senior Nats- Brooklyn- last place:

                 one arm snatch: 0

                 one arm C&J: 176

                 two arm press: 242.50 new record!

                 two arm snatch: 0

                 two arm jerk: 0

                 total 418.50 lbs

                 p 27  @ about "huskiest physique we had seen"

        Oct 1934 p 12  @ mentioned as probably using dumbells

                 p 25  again as "Earle Sands" won S&H posing contest

                 p 28  John Grimek and Earle Sands both sent in pho, hence

                       the mix-up

        Nov 1934 p 27  his pho entered in August posing contest in S&H

        Dec 1934 p 21  Q & A about how JCG trains

        Jan 1935 p 32  Jr. Nats 1934 2nd place hvywt

                       154- 176- 236.5- 214.5- 280.5= 1061.5

                 p 33  @ had tried to diet to make the 181 class

        Feb 1935 p 21?

                 p 47 S&H readers voted JCG as third team hvywt

        May 1935 cover

                 p 66 @ pho

                 p 88 member of the 300 lb club

        Jun 1935 p 78 his 1934 Sr. Nats lifts listed again

        Jul 1935 p 78-79 @ Sr. Nats:

                   143- 187- 242- 214- 286= 1072

        Aug 1935 p 62 4 pho

                 p 73 pho

                 p 95 pho used in advert for Berry's YOUR PHYSIQUE AND

                      ITS CULTURE

        Sep 1935 p 62 6 pho of "World famous John Grimek of Shore Athletic

                        Club, Perth Amboy, New Jersey."

                 p 80 At Kearney, New Jersey, AAU wl chps he won hvywt:

                      at bodywt of 188:

                      253-220-280.5= 753.5. The 253 press was perfect style,

                      erasing John Mallo's former record of 231. Then JCG

                      held it in stages.

        Feb 1936 p  8 pho at Urbana, Illinois

        Mar 1936 p  7 in book THE MASCULINE PHYSIQUE, only 3000 printed

        Apr 1936 p 30 @ injured his shoulder trying a 270 lb one arm side-

                      press has not been able to train

        May 1936 p  7 pho with Steve Lentvorsky on shore of Lake Michigan

                      in the summer of 1935

                 p 29 lifting exhibition at Illinois State chps March 15,1936

                      bodywt 188: 242-225.5-302.5 = 770

        Jul 1936 p 26 5 pho exercising with cables for delts   [ first time

                      posing for S&H training article ]

                 p 30 Jr. Nats May 10, 1936 Cincy, Ohio, bodywt 183

                      230-0-0=230

                 p 31 to give muscle control display June 19, 1936 at York

                      YMCA

                 p 32 muscle control May 16, 1936 at the Cooper Athletic Club,

                      952 Cypress Ave, Brooklyn, NY.

        Aug 1936 p 14 @ 3 pho in "sun worshipper" garb

                 p 26 6 pho modeling dumbell training

                 p 29 pho taken June 19, 1936 in York as part of the Olympic

                      team in the 181 class @ but will compete as a heavywt

                      in Berlin

                 p 30 heavywt results July 3, 1936 bodywt 183.5:

                      258.5-220-308 = 786.5 set new press record of 259.5,

                      surpassing his own 253.

                 p 30 June 14, 1936 Eastern Olympic trials bodywt 185:

                      253-214.5-302.5 = 770 at Miller Stadium

                 p 36 2 about his training and chances at the olympics.

                      has spent "weeks training with us at York"

        Sep 1936 p 10 @ pho with Rosetta Hoffman

                 p 19 @ pho doing stomach vacuum muscle control

                 p 20 4 pho ex with cables @

                 p 29 pho at New Jersey State Chps with contestants and

                      officials

                 p 30 @ wins national heavywt title

        Oct 1936 p 29 pho with Olympic team

                 p 32 @ Olympic lifting 253- 231- 302.5-= 786.5 for

                      a 9th place finish in the heavywt class

        Nov 1936 p 14 pho with Rosetta Hoffman and the World's Largest

                      Dumbell

        Dec 1936 p 33 @ too light to compete against the Goliaths

        Feb 1937 p 26 pho taken month after the 1936 olympics

        May 1937 p 11 contest in Los Angeles bodywt 190:

                      247.5- 231- 302.5 = 781

        Jun 1937 p 15 @ #1 on the Rolandow Dumbell Honor Roll- Klein

                 p 19 3 pho ex with iron shoes @

                 p 32 pho on lawn with Rosetta Hoffman

        Jul 1937 p  8 "will be striving mightily" to make the trip to the

                      Sr. Nats.

        Aug 1937 p  5 Aug 8, 1937 trials may decide if he lifts in Paris

                 p 10 Sr. Nats bodywt 176; failed a 250 press three times;

                      did not total

        Sep 1937 p  9 pho with Zehman and Kratkowski

                 p 10 extra lifter in Chicago 264 lb two arm push; cleaned

                      313, but failed to jerk

                 p 13 animation by Bill Vanselow

                 p 27 @ ability to add muscular bodywt

        Oct 1937 p 10 @ trained with Connie Carrucio

        Nov 1937 p  5 plans to travel from Chicago to York for Bob Hoffman's

                      birthday show on November 20, 1937

                 p 16 pho with 5 others on Japanese bridge at Hoffman's

                 p 24 4 pho ex with iron boots

        Dec 1937      cover

                 p  8 @ promo for November 20, 1937 app

                 p 49 pho used in advert for HOW TO BE STRONG, HEALTHY &

                      HAPPY by Bob Hoffman

                 p 51 pho used in iron boot advert (3 pho)

        Jan 1938 p  9 New Jersey wl chps Nov 6, 1937 (hvywt 183.5)

                      250- 220- 290 (new record) = 760

                 p 20 6 pho ex with dumbells

                 p 33 pho

                 p 42 Nov 20, 1937 performed at Hoffman's birthday show

        Feb 1938 p 20 3 pho demo calesthinics

                 p 23 pho and his first article for S&H "AN IDEAL, AND THEN

                      SUCCESS" which was about George Kiehl

                 p 48 pho continental and press

        Mar 1938 p  7 in married vs single wl match, he competed as a

                      single man 250- 210- 300 = 760 in York

                 p 32 4 pho showing flexibility with his article:

                        ARE YOU MUSCLE BOUND?

        Apr 1938 p 20 pho with Miss Jean Starr

        Jun 1938      cover

                 p  7 April 10, 1938 Illinois state team chps:

                      260- 0- 310 = 570 but "should be good for 830"-Grueber

                 p 22 4 pho with Gracie Bard

                 p 26 pho; recently pressed 260

                 p 29 his arm is #3 in the puzzle of 9 arms

                 p 32 5 pho ( 3 of them lifting the Cyr dumbell )

        Jul 1938 p  6 Sr. Nats May 29-30, 1938 in the 181 class 9th place:

                      250- 240- 0 = 490

                 p 15 @ Klein on JCG's style in the bent press of Cyr db

                 p 24 3 pho wrist roller

        Aug 1938 p  5 crowd demands to see JCG at the German vs USA match. Is

                      sent on to the stage before he was sked.

        Sep 1938 p 12 letter to editor about J.C.Gee's identity being Grimek;

                      and the editor confirms this. [ had been using this

                      pen name ]

                 p 34 4 pho ex

        Oct 1938 p 22 2 pho

        Nov 1938 p  5 Sr. Nats held in Toronto wins:

                      261 (world rec) -245- 325= 830

                 p  6 pho snatch 245

                 p 30 2 pho new world rec press 261

                 p 31 pho with Steve Stanko, Tony Terlazzo, and John Terpak

        Dec 1938 p  4 4th place total 803.5

                 p 31 pho with Worlds team 1938

        Jan 1939 p  5 Worlds: 242- 247.5- 313.5= 803

                 p  7 his 249.75 press not credited?

                 p 24 7 pho (one with Gracie Bard) using home gym

                 p 32 I WANT A BUILD LIKE GRIMEK'S- Hoffman

        Feb 1939 p  4 Nov 26, 1938 poses at Hoffman birthday show

                 p 42 was sent honorary award by the judges at Johnny

                      Hordines' contest Dec 1, 1938

        Mar 1939 p  5 holds national press record at 259.5 as hvywt

                 p 23 pho with team going to Cuba

                 p 32 pho supporting heavy weight overhead @

        Jun 1939      cover

                 p 20 4 pho

        Jul 1939 p  7 bent press 220 in hvywt of national bent press chp

                 p 22 6 pho ( 5 using cables )

                 p 29 pho swimming with five others

                 p 43 an 8 x 11 color pho offered with S&H subscription

                 p 45 850 lb total for the year

        Aug 1939 p 30 pho

        Oct 1939 p  5 1939 North American Chps in Toronto; several @

        Nov 1939 p  4 the 5th Canadian Exhibition Weightlifting Chps, he

                      won the 181.75 class:

                      260- 245- 310= 815

                 p 20 6 pho ex with cables

                 p 22 pho on roof at 51 N. Broad Street in York

        Dec 1939 p  6 to app Nov 18, 1939 at York strength show

                 p  6 to app Dec 2, 1939 in NYC

                 p 24 2 pho forearm

        Jan 1940      cover

                 p  5 appeared at Hoffman birthday show

                 p  8 mystery back pose [ p 50 front view ]

                 p 30 wins "Best Developed Man" contest- Wib. S.

        Feb 1940 p  4 app at a "southern meet"

        Mar 1940 p  6 Dec 2, 1939 app at a meet at Western Union Recreation

                      Center

                 p  8 promo: Feb 24, 1940 will compete on the single man's

                      team against the married men, at York gym

                 p 13 @ cartoon- Tiffin

                 p 20 pho curling dumbell

        Apr 1940      cover with Gracie Bard

                 p 17 Feb 17, 1940 continental and press 320

                 p 25 2 pho of pseudo-vacuum

                 p 40 8 pho ( 6 of them with dumbells )

        May 1940 p 40 6 pho using dumbells; shoulder width 19.75"; @

        Jun 1940      inside front cover

                 p 22 6 pho ex

                 p 65 @

        Jul 1940 p  6 3rd place heavywt Sr. Nats:

                      285- 250- 325= 860

                 p 23 May 25, 1940 Saturday wins first Mr. America-report,

                      also wins most muscular- Klein

        Aug 1940      cover

                 p 23 more on Mr. America

                 p 25 Jun 23, 1940 at the FIRST S&H picnic

        Sep 1940 p 10 4 pho muscle controls

                 p 27 @ pho

                 p 29 @ Grimek with Cry dumbell at 248.5 did 10 reps in

                      side bend

        Oct 1940      cover with Gord Venables, Steve Stanko, Tony Terlazzo,

                      John Terpak

                 p  5 International wl chps 181.75 last place:

                      245- 235- 0= 480

                 p  5 Oct 19, 1940 to receive W.U.R.A award

                 p  5 May play SUPERMAN so had been bodybuilding and not

                      wl for awhile

                 p  8 PIC magazine Aug 20, 1940 issue

                 p 26 HOW I BUILT THESE ARMS- JCG

        Nov 1940 p 10 pho with John Terpak and Steve Stanko

                 p 19 2 pho ex cables

                 p 28 3 pho posing his traps

                 p 48 planned tour:

                        Oct 22, 1940 Frye Institute Chattanooga, TN 8pm

                        Oct 23, 1940 Georgia Tech Gym, Atlanta 8pm

                        Oct 25, 1940 Central Y Birmingham, AL   8pm

                        Oct 27, 1940 New Orleans Athletic Club  8:30pm

                           [ tour with Stanko, Terpak, Hoffman ]

        Dec 1940 p  6 statue of Grimek 15" high $5 order from Ed Hoffman III,

                      Villanova, PA.

                 p 19 6 pho ex

                 p 28 pho lifting Mary and Anna Shusterich

                 p 29 pho with his Mr. America trophy

        Jan 1941 p  5 Dec 1, 1940, Grimek, Hoffman, Tony Terlazzo began a

                      western tour:   [ sked also apps: Jan 1941 p 50

                        Columbus, OH    cf Feb 1941 p 23 ]

                        Denver

                        Spokane

                        Dec 13, 1940 YMCA Seattle

                        Dec 15, 1940 Portland, Oregon Multomah YMCA

                        Dec 17, 1940 Watsonville, CA. Civic Audit.

                        Dec 20, 1940 San Francisco YMCA

                        Dec 22, 1940 Los Angeles A.C.

                        Dec 23, 1940 San Diego

                        Dec 24, 1940 Santa Monica at Vic Tanny's

                        Dec 27, 1940 Phoenix, AZ, YMCA

                 p  6 promo at app Feb 1, 1941 Patterson, New Jersey YMCA

                 p 10 app at Hoffman birthday show Nov 9, 1940, painted

                      in silver and wearing head cap

                 p 20 group pho inclu Hoffman, Stanko, Terpak, etc.

        Feb 1941 p  6 promo to app Feb 1, 1941 at 8pm at Patterson, New

                      Jersey YMCA

                 p 21 4 pho ex dumbells

        Mar 1941 p  6 promo to appear Apr 19, 1941 at York YMCA

                 p  8 guest Dec 22, 1940 at Tri-City Chps [ Los Angeles,

                      Long Beach, Santa Monica ]

                 p  9 rumored to be training on the bent press to collect

                      $100 from Klein's offer

        Mar 1941 p 17 @ squat 500 lbs, deadlift over 600, press 285,

                      continental and press 330, one arm snatch 170,

                      C&J 340, bent press 260, arm 18.25, waist 29,

                      thigh 29, calf 18

                      one arm C&J 210, 2 hands snatch 265

                 p 23 Dec 22, 1940 Los Angeles A.C. pho @

                 p 24 his amateur standing challenged because of the article

                      he had written HOW I BUILT THESE ARMS and his app in

                      York Company ads. It was decided that he could write

                      about any "subject except developing some part of the

                      body or weight lifting instruction."

        Apr 1941 p  5 Mar 22, 1941 Scranton, PA. YMCA will put on a

                      wl clinic with Hoffman, Stanko, Terpak.

                 p 19 pho press 285 at San Quentin

                 p 39 4 pho dumbell ex for chest

                 p 41 app at Patterson, N.J. strength show Feb 1, 1941

        Jun 1941 p 18 2 pho with Stanko

                 p 20 Dec 21, 1940 press 280 with palms facing face;

                      @ drawing

                 p 31 pho Stanko, Tony Terlazzo, Terpak

        Jul 1941 p 26 Mr. America 1941 winner May 24, 1941- Klein 2 pho

        Aug 1941      cover

                 p 21 Mr. America Goes to the Beach- Venables 14 pho

                 p 24 pho

        Sep 1941 p 10 promo app Sep 21, 1941 S&H strength show

                 p 20 12 pho at the river with Hoffman and Jules Bacon

                 p 22 pho ex cables

                 p 26 5 pho in the York foundry

        Oct 1941 p  4 promo app Oct 4, 1941 at Tanny's in Santa Monica

                 p 11 promo app; then a disclaimer that JCG wrenched his

                      ankle in training, may not make the trip

                 p 14 several pho on a group hike

                 p 25 4 pho JCG training to win the Warren Lincoln Travis

                      belt

                 p 36 pho teeth lift

        Nov 1941 p 10 holds records in:

                        181: one hand curl 108

                        181: one hand military press 120

                        Hvy: one hand military press 135

                 p 11 promo app Hoffman birthday show Nov 8, 1941

                 p 11 promo app at Mr. Ohio contest Oct 26, 1941 Columbus

                      at VIM Bodybuilding Club

        Dec 1941      cover

                 p 15 pho outside York foundry

        Jan 1942 p  4 promo app Jan 10, 1942 bodybuilding clinic,

                      Passaic, New Jersey

                 p 11 app at Hoffman birthday show Nov 8, 1941

                 p 11 promo app Jan 17, 1942 Fritshe's Gym, Phila.

                 p 15 about POLICE GAZETTE contest- 4@

                 p 20 pho ex cables

 

To be continued in 4 parts. Next up, Part 2 of 4.  See you next week!