Reg Park - Ash Kallos

Reg Park

by Ash Kallos

I will never forget the standing ovation Reg Park received when he won the Mr. Universe title held in London in 1965 for the third time. We both flew from Africa to compete that year.

Reg has won the Mr. Universe title no fewer than three times. In 1951, 1958, and 1965, an outstanding achievement particularly if you consider the period of time that has elapsed since he first won the title. I doubt if anyone has bettered this record.

I have been fortunate in being able to train with Reg personally on various occasions over the years and have taken careful note of his training methods and philosophy. I have trained with many top bodybuilders and weight-lifters throughout the world, and I will go so far as to say that Reg Park is the most dedicated, hardest worker of them all. Endowed with good structure, he has made full use of his potential and he never lets up. In 1970 he was not able to train as usual because he opened three new gyms and was too busy to lift properly. In 1971 he decided to experiment with his physique, and erroneously reduced his bodyweight to 216 pounds. This proved his downfall. His two main competitors, Bill Pearl and Sergio Oliva, were both over 230 pounds. In solid condition Reg normally weighs between 225 to 235 pounds.

In February of this year (1972) I photographed Reg, but found him to be still too light. Last week, (some four months later) I once again photographed him at a new bodyweight of 220 pounds. His improvement was visible, his arms, deltoids and thighs in particular had increased in muscular size. When Reg Park once again enters the Mr. Universe contest it will be a different story.

With regard to his training methods, he normally trains two bodyparts daily. His programme involves six training periods weekly, each workout lasting approximately two hours. Reg’s routine consists mainly of basic exercises using heavy weights and intense concentration. He employs the straight set system, and very seldom incorporates super sets or any other methods.

More recently, designing his own equipment, certain pulleys and leverage exercises are made use of. The main reason for this deviation is to give his body variety, and to alleviate boredom. He makes full use of any exercise he employs, and only changes when he feels he is no longer benefiting. In other words, once he has found the appropriate exercise, he will keep to it as long as it works. Many fellows chop and change their routines, without ever getting the results they desire.

Here is Reg’s present routine. You will note there are no direct chest exercises. Over the last few years Reg has decided to leave this phase of training out, because his pectorals were getting too big. He only wants to develop a proportionate, shapely body. The pectorals are one of the easiest muscles of the body to develop, one which far too many bodybuilders overdevelop.

FIRST DAY

Deltoids

Seated High Incline Barbell Press : 120 to 140 lb. 5 sets, 5 reps.

Seated High Incline Press Behind Neck : 5 x 5 reps.

Seated High Incline Dumbell Press : 100’s, 5 x 5.

Lying Face Down On Bench Laterals : 20 to 40 lb. 5 x 8 reps.

Triceps

Pulley Pushdown : 5 x 8.

Lying Barbell Extension With Z-Bar : 120 to 170 lb. 5 x 8.

Decline Barbell Extension With Z-Bar : 5 x 8.

Lying Face Down On Bench Pulley Push Out : 5 x 8.

Standing Extension With Floor Pulley : 5 x 8.

SECOND DAY

Back

Chins : 5 x 8.

Seated Pulldown Behind Neck : 5 x 8-10.

Seated High Pulley To Waist : 5 x 10.

Seated Middle Pulley To Waist : 5 x 10.

Seated Floor Pulley To Waist : 5 x 10.

Biceps

Seated One Arm Dumbell Curl : 70 lb. 5 x 8.

Barbell Preacher Curl : 140 lb. 5 x 8.

Dumbell Preacher Curl : 5 x 8.

Incline Dumbell Curl : 60 lb. 5 x 8.

THIRD DAY

Thighs

Leg Press Machine : 5 x 5 reps.

Hack Squat On Machine : 5 x 8.

Hack Squat With Weight On Belt Behind Back : 5 x 8.

Calves

Standing Calf Raise : 5 x 20 reps.

Seated Calf Raise : 5 x 20.

Abdominals

Hanging Leg Raise

Lying Leg Raise

Leg Raise Off High Bench

Twist On Self-Designed Swivel Machine

All the above, 3 to 5 sets, 30 to 40 reps.

I can tell you from experience that it is tough to keep up with this human dynamo. He trains from 6 to 8 a.m. each morning because he finds himself too busy during the day attending to his pupils. Reg has trained many Universe height class winners – Eddie Silva, Fanie Du Toit, Jannie Graaf and others have all been guided by him. He takes a great interest in his pupils, and that is why he has many gym members.

A hard task master who knows how to produce results. A man who sets an example, and knows what it means to win or lose. A great sportsman and a wonderful asset to the iron game.