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The Three Muscleteers
The Three Muscleteers is the story of Gold’s Gym and what’s now known around the world as
the fitness industry.
Not long ago, athletes of most popular sports — football, basketball, baseball — never lifted
weights. Coaches and trainers, even doctors, were against it, especially for women.
The film Pumping Iron, which made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star, was shot at Gold’s Gym.
That, along with the explosion of bodybuilding competitions that followed throughout the 80s
was a “big bang’ moment. Thanks to the trifecta of Joe Weider’s fitness magazines, Arnold’s
stardom, and Gold’s Gym, the fitness industry was transformed.
As one of the three owners of Gold’s Gym during its golden years, Ed Connors will inspire with
his success stories of hundreds of visitors to his home in Venice, CA (only blocks from Gold’s
Gym). Visitors he believed were destined for greatness, like action film star and WWE
champion John Cena, who helped make Gold’s Gym "the Mecca" and the largest gym chain in
the world.
Ed believes life is half fate and half what you do with it. The Three Muscleteers amplifies the
importance of taking risks, creating the perfect team, and never giving up — inspiring
bodybuilders, wrestlers, athletes, actors, architects, CEOs, and anyone willing to take a chance
to flex their own muscles.
the fitness industry.
Not long ago, athletes of most popular sports — football, basketball, baseball — never lifted
weights. Coaches and trainers, even doctors, were against it, especially for women.
The film Pumping Iron, which made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star, was shot at Gold’s Gym.
That, along with the explosion of bodybuilding competitions that followed throughout the 80s
was a “big bang’ moment. Thanks to the trifecta of Joe Weider’s fitness magazines, Arnold’s
stardom, and Gold’s Gym, the fitness industry was transformed.
As one of the three owners of Gold’s Gym during its golden years, Ed Connors will inspire with
his success stories of hundreds of visitors to his home in Venice, CA (only blocks from Gold’s
Gym). Visitors he believed were destined for greatness, like action film star and WWE
champion John Cena, who helped make Gold’s Gym "the Mecca" and the largest gym chain in
the world.
Ed believes life is half fate and half what you do with it. The Three Muscleteers amplifies the
importance of taking risks, creating the perfect team, and never giving up — inspiring
bodybuilders, wrestlers, athletes, actors, architects, CEOs, and anyone willing to take a chance
to flex their own muscles.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 12, 2022
10 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 22, 2022
The most powerful men in the sport of bodybuilding aren’t always the ones competing on the world stage. Very often, the true industry movers and shakers are the characters behind the scenes. Guys with an undying passion for the sport bigger than any one single pro’s biceps.
A key figure in the sport is unassuming architect Ed Connors. Together with business partners Pete Grymkowski and Tim Kimbe, they purchased the small Gold’s Gym in Venice California in the late 70’s and riding the wave of the coming fitness tsunami, transformed it into the most recognizable gym franchise in the world.
Expanding from one location to 704 gyms across 26 countries, these metrics pale in comparison to the 528 houseguests - most of them future industry figures - that Ed financially supported over 45 years. Ed is known for his uncanny ability to recognise raw talent, providing those chasing a dream an opportunity to make their mark in the often fickle and unforgiving world of bodybuilding.
Half of Ed’s book is dedicated to stories behind the names of some of bodybuilding’s biggest stars before they were famous. From Arnold to Piana. The old guard and the new breed, Ed has his stories. And thanks to Ed, many of these stars have had the chance to create their own.
The second half focuses on Ed's experience growing a global brand - the merchandising, the franchising and the marketing strategies that have made Golds Gym an indelible and enduring cultural icon.
Ed’s recognition of diamonds in the rough extends to “the art of the deal” bringing a business acumen that’s transformed Golds into not just “an altar for hard work”, but is in the words of Paul Féval , “a theatre where each participant can be an actor.”
Ed is an emblematic figure in the iron game whose selfless legacy will resonate into the ages of gym lore and beyond.
One thing I would have liked to have read more about is Ed’s 21 month service in Vietnam - how the experience shaped his outlook and perspective on life and his experiences coming home to America. No doubt it was a transformative experience with a narrative of its own. Hopefully, Ed has many more stories to come as I feel this book only scratched the surface of Ed’s narrative reservoir.
An entertaining book for history buffs that you’ll dedicate an afternoon reading cover to cover.
A key figure in the sport is unassuming architect Ed Connors. Together with business partners Pete Grymkowski and Tim Kimbe, they purchased the small Gold’s Gym in Venice California in the late 70’s and riding the wave of the coming fitness tsunami, transformed it into the most recognizable gym franchise in the world.
Expanding from one location to 704 gyms across 26 countries, these metrics pale in comparison to the 528 houseguests - most of them future industry figures - that Ed financially supported over 45 years. Ed is known for his uncanny ability to recognise raw talent, providing those chasing a dream an opportunity to make their mark in the often fickle and unforgiving world of bodybuilding.
Half of Ed’s book is dedicated to stories behind the names of some of bodybuilding’s biggest stars before they were famous. From Arnold to Piana. The old guard and the new breed, Ed has his stories. And thanks to Ed, many of these stars have had the chance to create their own.
The second half focuses on Ed's experience growing a global brand - the merchandising, the franchising and the marketing strategies that have made Golds Gym an indelible and enduring cultural icon.
Ed’s recognition of diamonds in the rough extends to “the art of the deal” bringing a business acumen that’s transformed Golds into not just “an altar for hard work”, but is in the words of Paul Féval , “a theatre where each participant can be an actor.”
Ed is an emblematic figure in the iron game whose selfless legacy will resonate into the ages of gym lore and beyond.
One thing I would have liked to have read more about is Ed’s 21 month service in Vietnam - how the experience shaped his outlook and perspective on life and his experiences coming home to America. No doubt it was a transformative experience with a narrative of its own. Hopefully, Ed has many more stories to come as I feel this book only scratched the surface of Ed’s narrative reservoir.
An entertaining book for history buffs that you’ll dedicate an afternoon reading cover to cover.
Displaying 1 of 1 review