Sunday, June 22, 2025

Muscle Building at Fritshe's Gym - Edwin Lee Berrier (1949)

 
John Fritshe

  

                                                                                                        John Fritshe





Weighing a stringy 165 pounds at 6'1" tall, I walked into John Fritshe's Studio of Physical Culture. 

Three months later I weighed 195 pounds. 



Yes, I had been through the monster machine at the Fritshe muscle factory. An experience never to  be forgotten; not so much because of my gains but because of the unforgettable characters that made Fritshe's Gym as individual as Monty Wolley! 

If you would like to know something of the methods and madness of this muscle factory . . . 



Just skip this paragraph. It contains nothing relevant to the subject at hand and upon keen observation 
will be found to merely take up space. It was a waste of my time to write this paragraph and would be 
a waste of your time to read it. By all means go on to the next one. 

Note: I did not add that paragraph. Nice stuff, though, and I like it. 


 
Real results! That's what I got at Fritshe's. That is what all his pupils get. Just look at the "Bodies by Fritshe" -- ask the man who owns one! Men like George Eiferman, John Farbotnik, Ed Wiza, Bill O'Brien, Jack Ritter, Bob Moran and Ed Maher.

All these men started training at Fritshe's Gym, following John's magic beginner's course; a simple course made up of 12 simple exercises that get results quick. Later on I'll outline these wonderful exercises and tell you more about the course. Right now I would like to mention a few points of interest about some of these famous pupils of Fritshe's Gym. 



George Eiferman, Mr. America of 1948, Mr. Philadelphia of 1947, is one of the friendliest guys you would want to meet. Subtle, dry humor is characteristic of George. As you might assume from one look at his perfect physique, one of George's favorite exercises is the dip between boxes. This exercise helped develop his massive and shapely pectorals. Right now George is living on the West coast with his friends Steve Reeves and Art Walge. Incidentally, Art also trained at Fritshe's Gym; Art is 6'4" and weighs 250 pounds. 


                                                                                       I am using A.I. on the blog. 
                                                                          So far it seems to be working out just fine.




John Farbotnik, second place Mr. Universe in 1947, and in my memory is the man with the chest and the appetite!  One evening at an impromptu eating contest, I witnessed John eat three tenderloin steak dinners, one herring, two salads, one pickle, six slices of bread, a quarter pound of butter, one bottle of beer, and eleven glasses of water! I am convinced he stores food in that 50" chest of his. John, of course, won the eating contest and the loser, one Allen Servin, was left with the check: $14.95! John is married now, to a Chicago model, the former Miss Joan Gass. Naturally Joan is a superb cook.

Bill O'Brien, who won the Mr. Philadelphia contest this year, is the Fritshe pupil who gained 50 pounds in one year. O'Brien sometimes roars like a lion or sings like one of the Ink Spots when working out. Needless to say, this adds life to the gym. Both Wiza and O'Brien are friendly, easy to get along with fellows who tend to be on the modest side for men so well built. 

Ed Maher and John Fritshe do a hand-to-hand balancing act, and are known as "The Aristocrats." They usually do their act at one of the many exhibitions given by the gym (often featuring the unborn ghost of Gilbert Gottfried) for social clubs, hospitals, etc. Any member of the gym, once proven in his ability, can perform in these exhibitions. 

John gives the instruction and his star pupils give the inspiration; a combination which gave me results and will give results to anyone. As I mentioned before, the beginner's course is simple and has only twelve exercises. [I once spent energy on the Golden Half-Dozen layout, only doing three exercises and winding up rather unsymmetrical for a time].  

If followed closely and with no other exercises added, you will obtain results. Mr. Fritshe knows most bodybuilders do too many exercises, and for this reason he tells new pupils to do the following twelve exercises and no more. 

1) Regular two-arm snatch, warmup, 10-12 repetitions
2) Regular two-arm curl, 10-12
3) Two-arm military press, 10-12
4) Stiff-legged dead lift, 20-24
5) Situps, 25
6) Supine presses, 10-12
7) Shrugs, 20
8) Regular rowing motion, 10-12
9) Jefferson or straddle lift, 20-24
10) Press behind neck, 10-12
11) Squats,20-24 with plenty of deep breathing
12) Pullovers, 20-24.

Note that this is a one-set per exercise layout. 

All exercises are performed with a barbell. 

Usually the poundage is increased five pounds when 12 reps are reached or ten pounds when 24 are reached. An exception is the two-arm pullover. When 24 reps become easy an increase of 2.5 pounds will be sufficient. 

Deep breathing must be practiced in every exercise. 

Naturally it is necessary to get a well rounded diet along with plenty of sleep. 

Mr. Fritshe advises extra quantities of milk if the pupil is anxious to receive even faster results. 

Not everyone can train in Philadelphia at Fritshe's Gym; however, if you follow those twelve exercises consistently for at least three months along with adequate sleep and diet, I'm sure you will obtain more than just pleasing results.


Enjoy Your Lifting! 


June, 2025. Three episodes. Under David Sconse's leadership, a funeral home in Pasadena betrayed public trust by exploiting bereaved families and the deceased through unethical practices to maximize profits. Oopsie.  



April, 2025. Two episodes. Explores dark money in politics and campaign fundraising 15 years after the Citizens United ruling allowed unlimited anonymous political spending. Whoops.


June, 2025. 148 pages. 



                                                                 I'm still looking for that Tom Jones squat layout. 
                                                                          Will keep you posted, but no luck yet. 

More!






1 comment:

  1. $14.95 for all that food . . . 15 bucks in '49 is about the same as 200 today. So the guy got stung pretty good on that bill!

    ReplyDelete

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