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John Grimek
"THE GLOW"
 

The only undefeated bodybuilder EVER!

June 17, 1910-November 20, 1998

Welcome to the

John Carroll Grimek Legends Page!

This page is devoted to the memory of the great JCG, a.k.a., the "glow" or the "Monarch of Muscledom."   I had many memorable visits with JCG at the York Barbell Co. in York, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1968.  Some of my most prized possessions include a copy of Masculine Perfection, a book of photos that Grimek sold of himself years ago, and some letters from John.  His kindness to me and others is legendary.

For those unfamiliar with John Grimek, I offer the following excerpt from an article written by Clarence Bass as a short introduction to this great man:

"John Grimek, known as the Monarch of Muscledom for five decades, was probably the most revered bodybuilder of all-time. Grimek was so far ahead of other bodybuilders that the rules had to be changed after he won the Mr. America title in 1940 and 1941, to prevent him from dominating the competition for years to come. In addition to being the only two-time Mr. America, he was a national champion and member of the United States Olympic weightlifting team in Berlin (1936). He was chosen "Mr. Universe" at the 1948 Olympic games in London, before going on to win the "Mr. USA" title in Los Angeles in 1949 against the finest professional bodybuilders in the world. The later victory left him as the undisputed best physique in the world, and perhaps the best built man of all time. He retired as the only bodybuilder in history who was never defeated in a contest.

As great as his record was, it doesn't fully account for the adulation he received. Perhaps it was greatness coming along at the opportune time, but there was a magic about Grimek. Much in demand at universities all over the country, art instructors said they had never seen the human form so beautifully put together as it was in John Grimek. Perhaps even more remarkable was his nature .In spite of achieving almost godlike status, Grimek remained a kind and humble man."

watch grimek playing around and posing:

Grimek's contest wins:

York Perfect Man Contest, Novermber18, 1939 (age 29)
 

AAU Mr. America, May 25, 1940, Madison Square Garden, NY (age 29)


AAU Mr. America, May 24, 1941, Arena Sports Palace, Philadelphia, PA (age 30)

 

Most Muscular Man Contest, May 4, 1946, Turner's Hall in Philadelphia (age 35)
John Grimek, 1st Place;              Steve Stanko, 2nd Place

 
Sam Loprinzi, 3rd Place

Mr. Universe, August 13, 1948, Scala Theatre, London, England (age 38)
    

Pro Mr. USA, March 26, 1949, Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles (age 38)   

MY FAVORITE PHOTOS:

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Magazine Covers

1932 November The Strong Man
1935 February  La Culture Physique
1935 May Strength & Health vol 3, num 6

 

1937 Dec Strength & Health

 

1938 Jun Strength & Health
1939 Jun Strength & Health
1940 Jan Strength & Health
1940 Apr Strength & Health
1940 Aug Strength & Health
1940 Oct Strength & Health
1941 Aug Strength & Health
1941 Dec Strength & Health
1942 Nov Strength & Health
1943 Apr Strength & Health
1943 Dec Strength & Health
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1945 Jan Strength & Health
1945 Sep Strength & Health
1946 Apr Strength & Health 
       
1947 Feb Strength & Health
1948 Jan Strength & Health
1948 Oct Strength & Health
 
1949 May Strength & Health
1950 Feb Strength & Health
1951 Feb Strength & Health
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1955 Jun Strength & Health
1956 Feb Strength & Health
1958 Feb Strength & Health
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1958 Dec Strength & Health
1965 Jun Strength & Health
1964 Jan Muscular Development (cover) vol 1, num 1
1967 Feb Muscular Development (cover) vol 4, num 2
1969 Feb Muscular Development vol 6, num 2
1941 Feb IronMan vol 4, num 1
1941 Oct IronMan vol 4, num 4
Iron Man vol 6, num 2
Iron Man vol 6, num 6
1948 Sep IronMan vol 8, num 4
1949 May/June IronMan vol 9, num 3
1953 Feb IronMan vol 12, num 4
1954 Jan IronMan vol 13, num 4
1949 December Health and Strength
1949 Health and Strength Annual
1950 November and Health and Strength
1950 Health and Strength Annual|

1952 April Health and Strength 

1940 June/July YOUR PHYSIQUE
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1948 Jan Your Physique vol 8, num 4
1999 March/April Hardgainer
1999 March 
Iron Game History
1952 April
The Bodybuilder

A Gallery of Grimek Photos

A Gallery of Grimek Photos II

Classic Bodybuilders

Muscle Memory

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