Reptilicus
Total Posts: 47
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08-15-08 12:44 AM - Post#473058
How is it that one of the greatest owners of awesome 8 pack abs in BB history (& one of my personal heroes), Irv "Zabo" Kosewski was never (to my knowledge) interviewed regarding his dietary regimen? The mystery remains: was it all genetics with him (especially regarding his bodyfat%), or did he eat a certain way to win all those "best abs" trophies?. Anyone have any info on this, any "secrets" we can emulate from this grand master of classic bodybuilding & "King of Muscle Beach"? I gotsta' know... 
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"I crank out reps till the pain makes me say bad words, therefore, I AM: Rep-Till-I-Cuss!!!"
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Yeti
Total Posts: 6587
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No clue but I'm guessing his training and high activity level, which generally equate to a fast metabolism, were as critical to attaining low bodyfat as diet.
| "When [defeat] comes, I won't even notice. I'll be too busy looking good." |
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Greg B
Total Posts: 1272
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I'd be interested in knowing as well. He certainly was doing something right, the guy was ripped!
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Dr.Ken
Total Posts: 127
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08-16-08 09:46 AM - Post#473414
Jack and I attended a PLing contest at the Venice Beach Pavillion one Saturday afternoon and while I will assume that Jack was surrounded by eight or ten good-looking women, I had a lengthy talk first with John Kantor, a bodybuilder and lifter originally from PA who was a really good competitor who had moved to Arizona. He worked as a manager of a grocery store, was training with the Thorbecke's crew and especially Jack Barnes, and had gone up to 242. I had a ton of questions for him.
Jack and I had met Zabo previously and talked briefly although now, I cannot recall where or when, possibly at the original Gold's (and then it really was "original"). Remember that Jack and I were living on Blair's Protein, hamburger, eggs, and salad and when I spoke with Zabo at the contest, he told me very specifically that he remained cut-up 365 days per year because unlike us, he avoided all dairy products. The diet was very much like a meat-oriented pre-contest diet from our day although he ate fruit and his drink of choice was apple juice.
A quote I recall clearly even to today (and note the reference to the bartender's measure) was "If I put as little as a jigger of cream or milk into my coffee I can notice a difference and I get smoother."
That was his big key to staying hard, no doubt burning a ton of calories with six or seven days a week of exercise, including 1000 reps or more per day of ab work, and no bread or "bread type of products" as per the usual bodybuilding diets, and no dairy.
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Tim Mendelsohn
Total Posts: 1557
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08-16-08 09:50 AM - Post#473415
Great to see you Dr. Ken
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John Hartman
Total Posts: 83
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08-16-08 09:57 AM - Post#473418
Jack and I attended a PLing contest at the Venice Beach Pavillion one Saturday afternoon and while I will assume that Jack was surrounded by eight or ten good-looking women, I had a lengthy talk first with John Kantor, a bodybuilder and lifter originally from PA who was a really good competitor who had moved to Arizona. He worked as a manager of a grocery store, was training with the Thorbecke's crew and especially Jack Barnes, and had gone up to 242. I had a ton of questions for him.
Jack and I had met Zabo previously and talked briefly although now, I cannot recall where or when, possibly at the original Gold's (and then it really was "original"). Remember that Jack and I were living on Blair's Protein, hamburger, eggs, and salad and when I spoke with Zabo at the contest, he told me very specifically that he remained cut-up 365 days per year because unlike us, he avoided all dairy products. The diet was very much like a meat-oriented pre-contest diet from our day although he ate fruit and his drink of choice was apple juice.
A quote I recall clearly even to today (and note the reference to the bartender's measure) was "If I put as little as a jigger of cream or milk into my coffee I can notice a difference and I get smoother."
That was his big key to staying hard, no doubt burning a ton of calories with six or seven days a week of exercise, including 1000 reps or more per day of ab work, and no bread or "bread type of products" as per the usual bodybuilding diets, and no dairy.
Great reply and it's very good to see you posting
here Dr. Ken.
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Reptilicus
Total Posts: 47
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Jack and I had met Zabo previously and talked briefly...Jack and I were living on Blair's Protein, hamburger, eggs, and salad and when I spoke with Zabo at the contest, he told me very specifically that he remained cut-up 365 days per year because unlike us, he avoided all dairy products. The diet was very much like a meat-oriented pre-contest diet from our day although he ate fruit and his drink of choice was apple juice.
A quote I recall clearly even to today (and note the reference to the bartender's measure) was "If I put as little as a jigger of cream or milk into my coffee I can notice a difference and I get smoother."
That was his big key to staying hard, no doubt burning a ton of calories with six or seven days a week of exercise, including 1000 reps or more per day of ab work, and no bread or "bread type of products" as per the usual bodybuilding diets, and no dairy.
Thanks Doc, preciate' your taking the time to inform us of this precious information. It appears that Zabo was an meso-ecto type and used a low GI carb type eating pattern (no High GI breads/pastas) and avoided dairy, unlike most trainers during that era except maybe Gironda. No mention of veggies here I see. I find it interesting, though that he was into high sugar calorie dense drinks like apple juice, although the coffee doesnt shock me (and we are talking real "Joe" here, unlike the frou-frou high calorie/fat coffee "drinks" we see today). Zabo's legendary "1000 Roman chair situps, needed or not" sessions were talked up in the Weider mags and are also something I have wondered about; with recent dogma claiming these do not hit the abs at all, but actually the psoas/upper legs and are in fact a bad exercise damaging to the vulnerable lower back similar to straight-legged situps...Where do you stand on this concept?. I also find it interesting your statement that you were "living on Blair's Protein, hamburger, eggs, and salad", as this raises the question as to, per Zabo's view, if dairy/whey based protein powders would give the "smoothing out" effect, and that this diet was in effect also a "low-carb" program, just not as "extreme", and would you recommend it today for the overfat trainer(?). Not trying to be annoying, I just gotsta' know...
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"I crank out reps till the pain makes me say bad words, therefore, I AM: Rep-Till-I-Cuss!!!"
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Nick Jacobs
Total Posts: 79
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From a "Strength and Health" article circa 1967:
"Zabo follows a strict, sensible diet. He eats two meals a day, breakfast and supper which consists of vegetables, fruits, juices, milk, eggs and meat. Before a contest he drops the milk products and for his meat intake, he eats only fish and poultry. This diet is supplemented with an all purpose vitamin and mineral pack, copious quantity of vitamin C plus vitamin E."
The full article, which includes a training program, is reprinted here:
http://www.musclememory.com/showArticle.php?sh670820
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jej
Total Posts: 4679
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08-20-08 02:27 PM - Post#474750
Maybe so.
I take everything in the muscle magazines with a grain of salt.
Or two.
jej
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Reptilicus
Total Posts: 47
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I agree with jej about Mmag articles (I think we all have been forced to deal with that reality even Dave acknowledges), but I am very glad you took the time to post up the article about Zabo's training, it is a gem, and an interesting contrast to what the Doc posted about Zabo's training & diet. I also find it interesting seeing these versions of Zabo's regimen in contrast to his "spiritual successor in leaness", Clarence Bass, who has an entirely different approach diet-wise (guess what works for one genotype may not for another?)...As an older guy in the endo-meso camp, you can see where this subject is important to me in my personal quest, which is where my training focus is at present. Hopefully more information about Zabo will manifest itself here on this thread...One cannot learn too much on the subject...
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"I crank out reps till the pain makes me say bad words, therefore, I AM: Rep-Till-I-Cuss!!!"
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Reptilicus
Total Posts: 47
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08-26-08 01:02 AM - Post#476471
A Zabo pic from 1999... 
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"I crank out reps till the pain makes me say bad words, therefore, I AM: Rep-Till-I-Cuss!!!"
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AussieMerv
Total Posts: 6668
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Here’s one I found on a Zabo Workout thread and posted on my log July 07, with a quote which it looks from the previous pic that he followed through with:
“The best way to never worry about getting into shape is to never get out of shape.†Zabo Koszewski
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 Attachment: Zabo.jpg (28.75 KB) 245 View(s) |
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"Aging without intense opposition is forbidden" ~ DD
My Training Log
Year-end Challenge 07-12
"EVERY DAY IS A WHOLE BODY DAY" ~ DJ
"EVERYTHING IS LIGHT AFTER LIFTING SEVERAL TONS OF IRON" ~ DD
"The best way to never worry about getting into shape is to never get out of shape" ~ Zabo
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AussieMerv
Total Posts: 6668
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08-26-08 07:19 AM - Post#476504
Anyone know Zabo's age in the last three pics?
"Aging without intense opposition is forbidden" ~ DD
My Training Log
Year-end Challenge 07-12
"EVERY DAY IS A WHOLE BODY DAY" ~ DJ
"EVERYTHING IS LIGHT AFTER LIFTING SEVERAL TONS OF IRON" ~ DD
"The best way to never worry about getting into shape is to never get out of shape" ~ Zabo
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CB
Total Posts: 5666
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08-26-08 02:40 PM - Post#476663
What's he doin' now a days ?
CB 
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Laree
Total Posts: 26002
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Primary Training Purpose: Fitness and strength beats aging badly
Real Email Address: ld@davedraper.com
Homepage: davedraper.com
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Full name: Laree Draper
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What's he doin' now a days ?
Reading.
And I'm not even kidding.
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CB
Total Posts: 5666
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What's he doin' now a days ?
Reading.
And I'm not even kidding.
Not pumpin' any iron ?
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Laree
Total Posts: 26002
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Last Login IP: 162.158.63.64
Last Online: 06-15-23
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Login Name: ldraper
Date Agreed to Rules: 12-09-10
Country: Z
Occupation: Website work
info_have_been_training_since: 12-31-79
Primary Training Purpose: Fitness and strength beats aging badly
Real Email Address: ld@davedraper.com
Homepage: davedraper.com
(Rhymes with Marie)
Full name: Laree Draper
Gender: female
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08-26-08 05:14 PM - Post#476714
I don't think so, Charlie. Last I heard he quit going to the gym after the World Gym closed. He's probably walking and doing abdominal stuff, and that might be it. My news is about a year old, so perhaps that's changed.
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Reptilicus
Total Posts: 47
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What's he doin' now a days ?
Reading.
And I'm not even kidding.
Laree steps off! 
I sincerely hope the Zab' realizes the tons of love & respect he has coming his way even today...Many of us would never have touched a weight had we not seen his sterling example..."The Chief" indeed! Zabo still rules!
(So now that I have most of the DVD sets of "Combat", I'm going to be obsessed about trying to pick out Zabo running around as a faux Nazi trooper...I wonder how many times Vic Morrow mowed him down with blanks?  ...He shares good company with master actors like James Coburn, James Caan, Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Richard Basehart, Robert Duvall, Ricardo Montalban, Sal Mineo, etc, all who did the same work in that great WW2 drama series)
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"I crank out reps till the pain makes me say bad words, therefore, I AM: Rep-Till-I-Cuss!!!"
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Edited by Reptilicus on 08-27-08 02:24 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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AussieMerv
Total Posts: 6668
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Rep-till-I-cuss, just in case Zabo ever gets to read this thread, here's the full post from my log last year, which explains how I feel about the inspiration gained from all of these 'old guys'.
Zabo is obviously older in that 1999 photo, but I couldn't help noticing his build proportions... waist size wouldn't be too much different from his earlier pics. Same with recent pics of the others I mentioned... Dave, Bill Pearl, Ed Corney & Chet Yorton.
As one who has had the job of reducing belt size by over four inches while rebuilding health starting at 60, I have great respect and admiration for these guys who have been able to maintain fitness levels as they age.
Chet Yorton's posing routine at age 67 posted here some time ago is testament to this.
Here’s a great quote I found on the Zabo Workout thread:
“The best way to never worry about getting into shape is to never get out of shape.†Zabo Koszewski
Why not post his photo to go with it!!
EDIT (5am Monday): After 3 years of weight training, this quote is significant to me... and the reason for posting this is to make a commitment to myself, to **NEVER GET OUT OF SHAPE AGAIN**.
I'm not sure of Zabo's age here, but to see the fitness level of older guys and ladies, both professional and many on this forum, is incentive enough to keep plugging away... Dave, Bill Pearl, Ed Corney & Chet Yorton whose ages range from mid 60's & 70's, for example, have certainly proved lifting to be a worthwhile venture.
"Aging without intense opposition is forbidden" ~ DD
My Training Log
Year-end Challenge 07-12
"EVERY DAY IS A WHOLE BODY DAY" ~ DJ
"EVERYTHING IS LIGHT AFTER LIFTING SEVERAL TONS OF IRON" ~ DD
"The best way to never worry about getting into shape is to never get out of shape" ~ Zabo
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Reptilicus
Total Posts: 47
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Rep-till-I-cuss, just in case Zabo ever gets to read this thread, here's the full post from my log last year, which explains how I feel about the inspiration gained from all of these 'old guys'.
After 3 years of weight training, this quote is significant to me... and the reason for posting this is to make a commitment to myself, to **NEVER GET OUT OF SHAPE AGAIN**.
I'm not sure of Zabo's age here, but to see the fitness level of older guys and ladies, both professional and many on this forum, is incentive enough to keep plugging away... Dave, Bill Pearl, Ed Corney & Chet Yorton whose ages range from mid 60's & 70's, for example, have certainly proved lifting to be a worthwhile venture.
Well, you are inspiring us both here, digger! (Hell, I'm still tryin' to get in-shape!) That shot you posted of Zabo appears to be 1960's era...So of course I must "retaliate" with one of the Zab-meister' from 1953 (err, my birth year, ahem) sporting those legendary abs... 
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"I crank out reps till the pain makes me say bad words, therefore, I AM: Rep-Till-I-Cuss!!!"
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AussieMerv
Total Posts: 6668
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...Well, you are inspiring us both here, digger!
Hey mate, it's great to hear the term Digger around here... but be assured that for me at this stage, it's all one big experiment..
"Aging without intense opposition is forbidden" ~ DD
My Training Log
Year-end Challenge 07-12
"EVERY DAY IS A WHOLE BODY DAY" ~ DJ
"EVERYTHING IS LIGHT AFTER LIFTING SEVERAL TONS OF IRON" ~ DD
"The best way to never worry about getting into shape is to never get out of shape" ~ Zabo
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Reptilicus
Total Posts: 47
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I don't think so, Charlie. Last I heard he quit going to the gym after the World Gym closed. He's probably walking and doing abdominal stuff, and that might be it. My news is about a year old, so perhaps that's changed.
Well, duh, I guess that explains why I could not find a listing for World Gym in L.A. county when I did a (WWW) search for it when I was thinking of hopping a flight there for a few days, months back, hoping to see the "Mecca" with my own eyes, and maybe even the "Chief" himself  (!)...Guess there's nothing left there except to eat at the "Firehouse" outside of "World Gym"...Long way to go for a tuna & lettuce bowl, but maybe worth it for braggin' rights ...
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"I crank out reps till the pain makes me say bad words, therefore, I AM: Rep-Till-I-Cuss!!!"
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AussieMerv
Total Posts: 6668
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08-27-08 01:44 AM - Post#476848
Not too bad for an old bloke!!
"Aging without intense opposition is forbidden" ~ DD
My Training Log
Year-end Challenge 07-12
"EVERY DAY IS A WHOLE BODY DAY" ~ DJ
"EVERYTHING IS LIGHT AFTER LIFTING SEVERAL TONS OF IRON" ~ DD
"The best way to never worry about getting into shape is to never get out of shape" ~ Zabo
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AussieMerv
Total Posts: 6668
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Reptilicus
Total Posts: 47
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...Well, you are inspiring us both here, digger!
Hey mate, it's great to hear the term Digger around here... but be assured that for me at this stage, it's all one big experiment..
Worked with some very excellent "Diggers" a long time ago in a land far, far away away back in my active-service soldier'n "daze", best bunch of hardheads I ever met, much love there (my alcohol soaked liver has yet to recover 40+ years on, LOL)...Yeah, in our age group, it's all about striving for excellence as best we can with all those accrued dings & dents from a misspent youth, I consider myself lucky to have good knees & ankles left, not so much the shoulders, but what the hell (as I get ready to parse out my meds for the next day along with my vitamins, "smart drugs", and "natural" anti-estrogen herbals, LOL)...More power to US, for avoiding the mediocre and going for the above average...The hard road is oft the better one: and Zabo set the bar, the baseline, the inspiration...
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"I crank out reps till the pain makes me say bad words, therefore, I AM: Rep-Till-I-Cuss!!!"
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Reptilicus
Total Posts: 47
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Not meaning to take away from the Zabo theme, but these are the Chet Yorton pics I mentioned, where he did a guest posing routine at a show. There's also a video on YouTube of it, and I've also read an article about it somewhere.
The man is flippin' awesome, period, end of story!.. .Nuff said'!
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"I crank out reps till the pain makes me say bad words, therefore, I AM: Rep-Till-I-Cuss!!!"
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AussieMerv
Total Posts: 6668
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...Well, you are inspiring us both here, digger!
Hey mate, it's great to hear the term Digger around here... but be assured that for me at this stage, it's all one big experiment..
Worked with some very excellent "Diggers" a long time ago in a land far, far away away back in my active-service soldier'n "daze", best bunch of hardheads I ever met, much love there (my alcohol soaked liver has yet to recover 40+ years on, LOL)
... Yeah, in our age group, it's all about striving for excellence as best we can with all those accrued dings & dents from a misspent youth, I consider myself lucky to have good knees & ankles left, not so much the shoulders, but what the hell (as I get ready to parse out my meds for the next day along with my vitamins, "smart drugs", and "natural" anti-estrogen herbals, LOL)...More power to US, for avoiding the mediocre and going for the above average...The hard road is oft the better one: and Zabo set the bar, the baseline, the inspiration...
Well said, that about sums it up
"Aging without intense opposition is forbidden" ~ DD
My Training Log
Year-end Challenge 07-12
"EVERY DAY IS A WHOLE BODY DAY" ~ DJ
"EVERYTHING IS LIGHT AFTER LIFTING SEVERAL TONS OF IRON" ~ DD
"The best way to never worry about getting into shape is to never get out of shape" ~ Zabo
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Reptilicus
Total Posts: 47
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Zabo in a Weider ad promo. Arnold, Dave, Zane also did these...I somehow doubt if Zabo needed the Weider drinks though (they were filthy tasting suff reportedly)...Scan from my personal mag collection...the stuff that inspired me as a kid (still do)...
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"I crank out reps till the pain makes me say bad words, therefore, I AM: Rep-Till-I-Cuss!!!"
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Reptilicus
Total Posts: 47
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Zabo at July 4th Induction into the Hall of Fame, Muscle Beach, seen here with John Balik of Iron Man Magazine, from the October 2008 edition, he also did a short editorial about hangin' with the "The Chief" at 88 years of age(!)...It is unknown if Zabo lifted his shirt...
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"I crank out reps till the pain makes me say bad words, therefore, I AM: Rep-Till-I-Cuss!!!"
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cajinjohn
Total Posts: 12495
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09-16-08 01:27 PM - Post#483063
Gironda pushed Blairs until he an Blair got into a pissing contest. Then after that Vince pushed his own brand of whey protein. Vince over time fell out with just about everybody. He tried several times to rattle my cage, but I just laugh at him and walked away. No way was I going to give and excuse to throw me out of his gym.
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Reptilicus
Total Posts: 47
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C.J.: So is it true that the Weider stuff was filthy tasting compared to Blairs, Beverly, etc due to low quality ingredients (and that although Dave, arnold, Zane, Zabo, etc endorsed them, they likely never really used the stuff? ...I remember many being impressed with that ad picture of Dave gulping one down straight from the blender..Great picture, exuded power)...
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"I crank out reps till the pain makes me say bad words, therefore, I AM: Rep-Till-I-Cuss!!!"
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AussieMerv
Total Posts: 6668
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09-17-08 02:24 AM - Post#483255
Still looking good for 88.
"Aging without intense opposition is forbidden" ~ DD
My Training Log
Year-end Challenge 07-12
"EVERY DAY IS A WHOLE BODY DAY" ~ DJ
"EVERYTHING IS LIGHT AFTER LIFTING SEVERAL TONS OF IRON" ~ DD
"The best way to never worry about getting into shape is to never get out of shape" ~ Zabo
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