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Iron
Age- Reflections at One But here it is, one year hence, and Ironage not only still exists, it's actually gained both a following and a bit of respect as a "voice" in the bodybuilding industry. Well slap my face and call me "Franco"! It seems that when I was creating Iron Age I underestimated the size of its subject's audience- by a long shot. Whether it's due to the shift in focus that bodybuilding has undergone over the last ten years or the fact that old timers in any activity will always remain loyal to their roots, classic bodybuilding has retained a vital fanbase of extremely devoted enthusiasts. Just look at our message boards. The energy projected by the posts of our 150 members and countless guests speaks volumes about the effect bodybuilding of the 60's, 70's and 80's had on all of us. Indeed, it has been profound, instilling positive values ranging from a strong work ethic to a respect for our brothers-in-arms, things which at times seem to be lacking in today's version of the sport. And to think, just one year ago I figured I was all alone. Just recently I made a trip out to Long Island to visit the home of my mom, herself a bodybuilder and at heart as much an "Ironager" as any of us. She had asked if I could go through some boxes of my old possessions she had graciously been storing for me (free of charge!) for the past few years. As I rummaged through myriad certificates, yearbooks and dinosaur toys I came upon a few items dating back to my earliest days in bodybuilding. Among them were newspaper clippings, magazines, flyers and even the original pages from Muscle Builder/Power which I had taped to the walls of my first gym– the basement of my childhood home. Many of these items I figured had been either lost or trashed many moons ago, so this trip to see dear old Mother (sorry mom!) proved to be rewarding in more ways than I had anticipated. Thanks to the magic of the web, I can now share with you, the tried and true "Ironagers" of bodybuilding, those very memories which helped forge the unbreakable bond I have with the sport today. Maybe they will give you a bit of perspective into what makes me tick. Hopefully they'll make you nod your head and reminisce along with me. Whatever the result, I encourage all of the Iron Age readers to do the same. If you have access to a scanner please feel free to scan and send us images of some prized possessions from your own scrapbook. Whether it's a ticket stub or a magazine cover, we'd love to see what got you jazzed all those years ago, and would like to start an online time capsule of sorts in which these items would be archived, in the form of an online photo gallery I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported and truly enhanced Iron Age through their very presence. There are far too many to name but they certainly include the ever-expanding, ever-enthusiastic bunch peppering the Iron Age boards 24/7 with their trenchant insights, head-scratching questions, invaluable information and, as always, witicisms galore. I hope this site has provided all of you with recollections of days when your knees were a lot less creaky and the pages of your Muscle Builder/Power's were a lot less yellow. Maybe it's gotten you fired up to put bent over rows back into your workouts or inspired you to drop a line to Larry Scott thanking him for the early, vital inspiration he provided to a young, aspiring bodybuilder so many years ago. But more than anything, I hope that Iron Age has proven, not only to us, but to those who would celebrate the new form of bodybuilding over the old, that classic bodybuilding and its adherents are very much alive and well and being celebrated every day by all of us, the sport's "Ironagers." Best wishes, Shawn Perine LOST & FOUND: Bodybuilding mementos from my distant past
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