I Saw Joe Weider Train Reg Park
BY MILTON EDER
Here is an intimate, eye-witness account by the brother of world famous Marvin Eder, who saw how Joe Weider helped Reg Park to overcome the most serious sticking point in his career.
I SAW Joe Weider in action!
I saw him transform Reg Park from an overtrained, confused and dejected bodybuilder, one who was in the grip of a serious training slump, into a revitalized giant of muscle power -- and all in a few short weeks.
To Reg, I feel sure, this must have seemed like a miracle. To Joe, it was no surprise at all. It merely proved once again to him, what he had known all along; that the Weider System never fails.
And the advice he gave Reg, the methods of training he advocated to smash Reg's sticking point, is information all bodybuilders can use to their advantage.
To get the full story, let's begin with the fall of the year 1949.
Twenty-one-year old Reg Park was already a physique champion. He had just won the title of Mr. Britain and was well along his way to widespread physique acclaim.
Ben Weider who had been in England when that contest had been held, wrote to his brother Joe: "This Reg Park is like a diamond in the rough. With proper training he can become one of the greatest stars in the world. He is anxious to come to America to train under you. I suggest that you invite him to."
Acting on Ben's advice, Joe cordially invited Reg to come to America to train under him. When Reg arrived, Joe immediately realized that Ben had been right. Instructed correctly, Reg had the potential to become one of the leading lights in the muscle game.
Joe and Reg got right down to work. Joe showed him how to specialize to strengthen and develop under par sections of his body, particularly his legs and waist which had been neglected before. For the first time, Reg began to use the flushing system, cheating methods and concentration programs in his training. He was taught how to arrange his schedules regarding sets and repetitions for maximum physical benefit. There was a lot for Reg to learn and the three months he spent in America on that trip was hardly enough.
Still, it was long enough to make Reg world famous. His latest photographs after following Joe Weider's training methods inspired all bodybuilders who saw them. His triumphant appearances in contests and exhibitions proved that he was rapidly becoming the most admired bodybuilder of that time. During those three months when he was training under Joe's critical eye he made unprecedented progress and then he returned home to England.
The year 1950 was a busy one for Reg. With Joe's help he set up his barbell business. He devoted most of his energy to this and didn't train as regularly as he should. The result was that when the 1950 Mr. Universe Contest was held, Reg lost the crown by a slim margin to a superbly conditioned Steve Reeves. However, Reg did capture the Mr. Europe trophy that year and in this way added to his physique fame.
1951 was a busy year too. Reg received offers from far and wide for personal appearances. While he kept in touch regularly with Joe by mail and continued to ask Joe for training advice, it was rather evident that on his long trips he was not training as he should and that he was slipping physically. Then, after one of these long tours, Reg again came to America, to train under Joe to condition himself for the 1951 Mr. Universe event. That's where this story really begins. The prior introductory information was presented merely to give readers the background information I thought they should have so that they can follow this report clearly.
I had of course seen hundreds of pictures of Reg and had seen him in person during his appearances on his first visit to America. I agreed with some million other bodybuilders, that Reg was just about the top physique personality in the game.
But--what a shock I received the first time I was actually introduced to him in person. This took place in 1951 at Abe Goldberg's famous gym, 80 Clinton Street, New York City. It was several months before the Mr. Universe Contest and when I learned that Reg was training at Abe's Gym I hurried over, sure that I would see a bodybuilder greatly improved over the previous year, or when I had seen him last.
Reg had already been in New York about a week, and Joe, due to business pressure hadn't been able to work out with him until that day. When I arrived at the gym, Joe and Marvin, my brother, were already hard at training. I was amazed at Joe's improved appearance and actually envied the way he and Marv were forcing out those reps with 200 pounds in the cheat curl. Both seemed to have boundless energy; both were physically in the 'pink'.
Then Reg came out of the dressing room, just having gotten into his trunks and Joe introduced me. I noticed a serious look enter Joe's eyes as he appraised Reg's appearance and I had difficulty in restraining myself from saying . . . "My goodness. What happened to you ?"
For Reg was drawn, he was stringy, looked like he had lost a lot of weight. His face was tired-looking and his eyes lacked a healthy sparkle.
Reg joined Marv and Joe in their training, but try as he might he couldn't match their enthusiastic pace. He would do a few sets of an exercise and then sit for a long while and rest. He wouldn't fight out the reps, seemed willing to give up just as soon as the going became a little tough. He lacked energy, ambition, desire to train.
Reg watched Joe and Marvin with their overflowing energy and then he finally spoke. "Joe," he said, "you've just got to help me. What in the world can I do to get back into shape for the 1951 Mr. Universe Event?"
"Every time I touch a weight it feels like lead. I don't have any energy. I train hard every day, but instead of getting bigger, I'm getting more and more stringy. I know that something is wrong but I just don't know how to snap out of this slump I'm in."
When Reg asked Joe to help him this way, I knew that something interesting was going to result. But I couldn't help wondering what the Trainer Of The Champions could do to get Reg back into shape for the Mr. Universe Contest only a few months away.
I also couldn't help wondering just what Reg had done to bring about his overtrained condition. I didn't have long to wait.
"Reg," said Joe, "stop me if I'm wrong, but I think I know how you've been training during the past 6 months or so.
"First, you've fallen back into some of your old habits of training. You've forgotten some of the advice I originally gave you on your first trip and you're following a strict style and not cheating in your exercises. Then, because you've been busy, you've been trying to pack too much into each work-out, doing too many exercises and not concentrating the way you should.
Because you've lost some of your power in this manner, you're using lighter weights and performing higher repetitions in an attempt to flush up your muscles.
"These high reps, many exercises, light weights and rushing through work-outs have drained your energy. That's why you are drawn, lack enthusiasm and aren't making progress."
"You're 100% right Joe," exclaimed Reg. "I've been doing exactly what you've said. And even though I now have more free time and can train as I please, I just can't recapture my training drive. What should I do ?"
"First, take a week's rest. Oh, I know you fear laying off a week with the Mr. Universe Event so close, but by resting a week now, you'll refresh your body and then will be able to train with greater energy when you start again.
"During this week, rest as much as you can. Eat nourishing, high protein foods for greater body nourishment. Sleep 10 to 12 hours a night. Go to movies, watch TV, be as lazy as you can.
"Then when you start training again, remember the advice I gave you nearly two years ago about strict exercise form and high reps being useless for a bodybuilder as advanced as you. These methods may help the beginner in training for a few months, but after that length of time they only hold back progress.
"Arrange your work-outs in the flushing system, perform 3 to 4 sets of each exercise a maximum of 8 repetitions each. Cheat on the exercises. Use just as heavy weights as you can. And don't perform more than 8 exercises any training period.
"If you do this, you will build power and energy, instead of depleting it the way you have been. And with that will come bodyweight gains and fuller muscle size.
"And, so that you'll be able to work-out with greatest energy on every part of the body, follow the split routine of training. Train six days a week. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays exercise your upper body, doing movements only for that part. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, train your lower body. This means that you train each major part of your body only three times a week, conserving your energy. But still, you can work-out hard on each part without overtraining by splitting up your programs in that manner.
"And when you do train, Reg, concentrate strongly on each movement. Mentally picture the muscle parts being used and envision them as growing larger, stronger, better formed with each repetition you pump out. If you do as I recommend, you'll win the Mr. Universe Contest without fail.
"But, how do I know that this method will work." complained Reg. "I've been in this slump for months now, I can't afford to take a chance."
Joe pointed to Marvin who had just cleaned 260 pounds and was push-pressing it reps above his head. Four, five, six, seven reps and then Joe stood behind Marv and helped him with his finger tips against the bar to give Marv just the assist he needed to squeeze out another two reps.
"There's your answer, Reg." said Joe. "Marv has just broken a sticking point in training too. He was trying to pack in too much in a single work-out, doing exercises too strict and failing to flush up his muscles the way he should have. He followed the advice I just gave you and he is bigger, better formed, more muscular and stronger than ever before!"
I knew that this was true. Marv had been stuck. Yes, even the greatest champions make training mistakes once in a while, and it had been Joe who advised him to cheat more, to follow the split method of training and to cut down on reps and number of exercises performed in a work-out. I had seen it work on Marv and felt sure it would work on Reg too.
Therefore, it wasn't much of a surprise to me, two weeks later when I again went to Abe's gym to watch Marv, Joe and Reg work out, to see a new Reg Park.
Bubbling over with energy, looking full-muscled. fresh in body and mind, he was kidding Joe when I entered the gym. "Come on Joe", I heard. "how about slapping some weight on the bar for the bench press? Why --that's only 340 pounds you're using. Make mine 375 !"
Joe was smiling, thoroughly enjoying the competition and Reg winked at me as I came in as if to assure me that everything was all right.
And it was, for Reg returned in a few weeks to England and continued following the program Joe had outlined for him until the night of the Mr. Universe Event. He not only won, but won hands down. No one else had even a little chance.
I thought that this incident in the great Reg Park's career might be of interest to readers. For some think that champions are born and not made. I know that this is not true. In at least two cases I have had the personal experience of seeing Joe Weider whip a serious sticking point--first my brother and then Reg.
And the methods he used? Nothing mysterious at all! The advice he gave Marv and the help he gave Reg can be had by any one. You don't have to train under his personal attention. You can learn all the facts, gain the benefit of his knowledge that helped these two great stars, by getting a copy of the wonderful Weider System. It's all there for you to use. Everything you should know about the cheating, flushing, forced reps and split methods of training!
And if you get this course, you'll never make the training mistakes that Reg Park did. When he wasn't training under Joe's watchful eye, and away on his tours, he forgot much of the advice Joe had given him. If you have this course handy, you can never forget, for everything will be there at your finger tips to show you the right way to train.
If old fashioned methods of training bogged down Reg Park with a crucial sticking point, they certainly can't be of much value to you. So be smart, do like Reg did and get the help of the trainer of the champions. The Weider System is the greatest aid to championship success that you will ever find.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
- "A short time before the Mr. Universe Contest I wouldn't have given much chance to Reg's winning. That was before Joe took over and began training him."
- Reg Park smiles confidently, here. But directly before the 1951 Mr. Universe Contest he was really discouraged. Read how Milton Eder saw Joe Weider help Reg.
- Close-up view of Reg Park's mighty upper body clearly reveals championship form. What part did Joe Weider play in its development? Article tells the story.
- Joe Weider, with back to camera, watches famous physique photographer Tony Lanza making last second check before taking Reg's picture. Floyd Page, on left is interested spectator. Joe always works as hard as his models when pictures are being taken.