Meet Frank Zane: 1977-1979 Mr. Olympia and for obvious reasons. If there was a designated spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for most perfected body, you'd probably see a picture of Frank in there. Content at weighing less than 190 pounds, Zane strived for a sculpted body rather than a built one. If you're not quite sure what I mean, looking up one of Michelangelo's famous statues will give you a better idea. Zane epitomizes the very art of body building. He defines the golden era of the sport; the Iron Age.

Last week's article on the documentary Pumping Iron had me reminiscing about the glory days of body building. No, I wasn't there in the ‘60's and ‘70's, but it had me thinking about the old school fellas who helped kick start the ‘outlandish' sport into popularity. Steve Reeves, Larry Scott, Sergio Oliva, Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbu and Arnold Schwarzenegger are a few that come to mind. Not only did these guys add incredible physiques to the lineage of superhuman builds, they added personality to the sport as well.

Many smiles were had throughout the days of the Iron Age. Weight training was never a chore to these guys, it was their passion.

They patented a balance of lightheartedness and excruciating work ethic. Talk about loving a job that literally hurts. But you know what they say - the results are always far greater when you actually enjoy what you're doing. No longer was the weight room just thought of as a dungeon where huge monsters go to inflate their arms and egos. They enlightened us to resistance training that not only influences numerous health benefits, it can be a lot of fun to.

The Iron Age - It's not about obligation, it's about enjoyment. It's not about trash talking, it's about comradery. It's not about self absorption, it's about self confidence. It's not about self exposure, it's about self refinement. It's not about the money, it's about the iron. This is why I love body building. This is what it's all about.

Rick can give you some serious body building tips. Emal him at rmelo@fanshawec.ca