MY CAREER IN BODYBUILDING

In the 50s, already Mr Ben Weider was installed in Montreal on Colonial street and was publishing a monthly review named SANTE & FORCES by which he was informing people from the benefits of weight training: this review was sold for the moderate sum of $0.25.

A lot of people at the time were amazed by the physical development of model body-builders such as Leo Robert, Edouard Thériault Larry Scott, Steve Reeves and many others. I was no exception to the rule, but in those days my parent's modest revenues did'nt allow them to subscribe for me to go to the very rare existing athletic centers.

ENCOUNTERS WITH THE PROS

Years went by and finally in 1970, while the sale of home training apparatus got more and more popular I decided to get myself a BULLWORKER, a kind of pressurized cylindrical apparatus that was supposed to bring to me that miracle development which I dreamed of since my very childhood. The advertisement said " see improvements after only 3 weeks " but omitted to say that after 6 month we'd still be considering those very same results: I added push ups, chin ups etc…and that anticipated development never showed. Finally at Fall 70 I decided to get a membership at ``Le Salon Tropical de Sante" in Laval Ouest and met my first trainer the already famous ex-Mr Universe, Mr Leo Robert, the first French Canadian Quebecker of history to detain this title in the 50`s. In those years Mr Olympia's competition was not yet created

After the usual introduction, because in those years physical trainers weren't just serving those regular exercise schedules like most of Gyms are doing today; but rather a personalized training program. You first needed to answer and fill a form inquiring on your food habits, kind of job you had, sports antecedents, sleep how many hours a night etc. … followed by weight scale , measurements, general looks: and we were finally ready to begin a basic program for a period of 3 months; which was based on our current physical condition; and served as to discover our weaknesses and our key points, to favor a better development in the future.

Those 3 months ended, and being fairly satisfied with my progress; I abandoned gym and quit lifting . Already my muscular improvement was so remarkable that several people were asking this flattering question for a 27 year old ``where do you workout``

However after I had lived this so special feeling of being in shape, better sleep, digestion, reflexes etc. and besides I was so curious to know what would be my new exercise routine if I returned for another 3 months. So 3 weeks later I was back in the Gym without knowing that this decision had condemned me to a life sentence. Indeed 6 months later this way of life had become required: lifting 3 times a week was as important as 3 meals a day.

MY FIRST GYM

2 years later, we are now in 1972,I decided to lift at home and why not open my own private small Gym. After talking with Mr Robert, this one found for me a basic Gym equipment: approximately 1120 pds of weights, bench press, round bench,2 adjustable benches, smith machine, dip rack and abdominal board; all this for the ridiculous sum of $450.00. Furthermore he assured me of his entire collaboration, and if any problematic case should occur; me and my client only had to show up to his gym and Leo took care to notice the problem and bring the solution: the dreamed situation. In return I was helping whenever he organized local bodybuilding competitions. This situation lasted for about 10 years and during those years he sold his place then I had to go on my own.

GYMPLUS WAS BORN

In November 1985, GYMPLUS was born, a 1800 square feet Gym at Plaza Ste-Therese, making the pride of my business partner Mr Denis Tremblay and myself. However, certain complications occurred and this experience only lasted approximately 3 years and we had to sell the place but the very best souvenirs of my bodybuilding career still haunt this Shopping center. There I met and trained collegiate hockey players as well as numerous Football players. Furthermore I had the pleasure and honor to meet people such: Mr Yvon Robert Jr, son of the regretted famous YVON ROBERT father who was many times world champion of professional wrestling, Mr WINSTON ROBERTS, Mr BOB PARIS so Mr RAYMOND SANSOUCY all well known and ex-champion body-builders; furthermore I trained other professional wrestlers such as the Hangman (Mr BOB BOULIANNE) and especially the one there who became one of my good friends afterward, the famous midget wrestler Mr Lionel Giroux (LITTLE BEAVER) who's always been to me one of the greatest men I met in spite of his more or less 4`2 " All this, besides the pleasure to train and meet nearly a thousand of regular customers of all ages, nationalities and classes of the society. There I've had enough special moments to fill a second internet site. Special thanks to all of these persons without exception.

At the end of 87 I returned to trucking, but never quit lifting . During all of my career at least 20 of my pupils have participated to competitions of various levels. Of these 20 at least 15 made the podium. I participated and acted as guest poser in various advertising and promotional events: and at 57 years old I still workout regularly and continue to give various suggestions and advises, and prepare training routines for different youngsters working out with me.

Thanks to those that brought me encouragments all along and by doing so have contributed to make and maintain the pride of GYMPLUS.This name is now spreaded planet wide due to Internet.

Special thanks to all of you readers, and to thousands of people that have visited this site.

HOPE I`LL BE ABLE TO KEEP SERVING YOU FOR A LONG TIME