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John Grimek, bodybuilding's first superstar, was born John Stanley Mikalusky on July 28th in 1910 into a Slovakian family living in Perth Amboy New Jersey. His father John Peter Mikalusky fought for the Austro-Hungarian empire in WWI before emigrating to America and marrying Mary Elizabeth Grimek who John was named after. John grew up with four brothers but one passed away as an infant decades before his eventual success as John would become the only male offspring to pass his father's height genes. At just 5'10" tall John started lifting weights at 14 years old under the guidance of former strongman Thomas Kurton at his local YMCA facility.
John quickly developed into not just an exceptional strength athlete but also excelled at weightlifting, John won both the 1928 and 1929 championships in the 148 pound class. John would later be inducted into the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame as well as the Helms Hall of Fame for his success in Olympic-style lifting. John's biggest athletic achievement was winning Mr America in 1940 after previously finishing 2nd twice to Steve Reeves who John would hold a long lasting friendship with. John Grimek is considered by many to be one of bodybuilding's true legends.
John's interest in physical culture started relatively early on, he read about it extensively through Charles Atlas courses before joining up at local YMCA circa 1924 under Thomas Kurton in Perth Amboy New Jersey. John Grimek would compete in Olympic weightlifting, strongman competitions and even wrestling at the local YMCA before moving on to win Mr America 1940 under George R Weaver after finishing 2nd twice previously to Steve Reeves who John would become friends with later. John Grimek is considered by many to be one of bodybuilding's true legends.
John was an extremely humble man who never wanted a fuss made about his own success, John only ever talked about the success of others he saw promise in such as John Farbotnik whom John took under his wing for a time when John was working at the Weider barbell company in California. John appeared on countless magazine covers throughout his career which started in 1939 with Bob Hoffman's Strength & Health magazine. John Grimek also competed in wrestling under the name Stan Mykalski and John did wrestle John Kutz who John would become friends with later on. John was often referred to as the greatest all-around athlete in bodybuilding history due to his success at Olympic weightlifting, strongman competitions and wrestling which John did do only for fun rather than profession.
John Grimek Retired from Bodybuilding After 1950 Mr America Title
It can be said that John retired from competitive bodybuilding after winning Mr America in 1940 aged 30 years old, this is true but John did compete at various levels after that date winning many titles such as The Grand Masters 1946 (over 40) & 1947 (over 45) and John also won Mr America 1948 (over 40). John also competed in the 1954 Mr USA at age 44 years old finishing 3rd place overall. John did continue to work out and was photographed with his longtime friend John Farbotnik demonstrating some exercises and poses at John's home gym for an article that appeared in Strength & Health magazine in 1968. John Grimek is considered by many to be one of bodybuilding's true legends.
One trademark of John Grimek was that he would wear a bow-tie while training, this started when he began weightlifting in 1927 where it was normal practice to don a tie due to it being part of the uniform that represented team USA John continued the practice at John's home gym where John took John Farbotnik under his wing. John Grimek is considered by many to be one of bodybuilding's true legends.
John quickly developed into not just an exceptional strength athlete but also excelled at weightlifting, John won both the 1928 and 1929 championships in the 148 pound class. John would later be inducted into the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame as well as the Helms Hall of Fame for his success in Olympic-style lifting. John's biggest athletic achievement was winning Mr America in 1940 after previously finishing 2nd twice to Steve Reeves who John would hold a long lasting friendship with. John Grimek is considered by many to be one of bodybuilding's true legends.
John's interest in physical culture started relatively early on, he read about it extensively through Charles Atlas courses before joining up at local YMCA circa 1924 under Thomas Kurton in Perth Amboy New Jersey. John Grimek would compete in Olympic weightlifting, strongman competitions and even wrestling at the local YMCA before moving on to win Mr America 1940 under George R Weaver after finishing 2nd twice previously to Steve Reeves who John would become friends with later. John Grimek is considered by many to be one of bodybuilding's true legends.
John was an extremely humble man who never wanted a fuss made about his own success, John only ever talked about the success of others he saw promise in such as John Farbotnik whom John took under his wing for a time when John was working at the Weider barbell company in California. John appeared on countless magazine covers throughout his career which started in 1939 with Bob Hoffman's Strength & Health magazine. John Grimek also competed in wrestling under the name Stan Mykalski and John did wrestle John Kutz who John would become friends with later on. John was often referred to as the greatest all-around athlete in bodybuilding history due to his success at Olympic weightlifting, strongman competitions and wrestling which John did do only for fun rather than profession.
John Grimek Retired from Bodybuilding After 1950 Mr America Title
It can be said that John retired from competitive bodybuilding after winning Mr America in 1940 aged 30 years old, this is true but John did compete at various levels after that date winning many titles such as The Grand Masters 1946 (over 40) & 1947 (over 45) and John also won Mr America 1948 (over 40). John also competed in the 1954 Mr USA at age 44 years old finishing 3rd place overall. John did continue to work out and was photographed with his longtime friend John Farbotnik demonstrating some exercises and poses at John's home gym for an article that appeared in Strength & Health magazine in 1968. John Grimek is considered by many to be one of bodybuilding's true legends.
One trademark of John Grimek was that he would wear a bow-tie while training, this started when he began weightlifting in 1927 where it was normal practice to don a tie due to it being part of the uniform that represented team USA John continued the practice at John's home gym where John took John Farbotnik under his wing. John Grimek is considered by many to be one of bodybuilding's true legends.
