Before there were ring lights, tripods, algorithm-approved workouts, and energy drinks in neon cans… there were iron plates, sweat-soaked benches, chalk clouds, and a room full of people who showed up to work.

Gym culture didn’t start on TikTok — it was built rep by rep in places like Gold’s Gym Venice in the ’80s. The Mecca. The birthplace of modern bodybuilding. Arnold, Ferrigno, Zane, Columbu — not just names, but examples of discipline, respect, and grit. The weight room wasn’t a photoshoot. It was a proving ground.

And the unwritten rules still matter today.

Gym Etiquette Never Goes Out of Style

Whether you’re 18 or 68, new or seasoned — the foundation stays the same:

1. Put Your Weights BackIf you can lift it, you can re-rack it. Period.It shows respect for the gym, the equipment, and the next lifter.

2. Share the SpaceNobody “owns” a machine. If you're resting, offer a working set. Community makes a gym stronger.

3. Don’t Interrupt a SetEye contact, headphones, bar in motion — leave them be. Training deserves focus.

4. Encourage, Don’t CritiqueOld school lifters didn’t tear people down — they built them up.

Hard Training Is Still the Answer

Back then, there were no shortcuts — no magic programs, no secret hacks.

It was:

• Progressive overload

• Tight form

• Big compound lifts

• Consistency — on good days and bad

The OGs didn’t confuse activity with productivity. They trained with intent. They chased strength, not attention.

And guess what?Results still live in that formula.

Nutrition Isn’t Complicated

In the ’80s, nutrition wasn’t a math problem — it was fuel.

• Lean proteins

• Rice, oats, potatoes

• Fruits and vegetables

• Water

• Maybe a multivitamin and whey protein if you were fancy

No endless cutting and bulking cycles. No “what’s the newest trend?”Just eat like someone who respects their goals.

The physique followed the lifestyle — not the other way around.

Why This Still Matters

Because the gym is more than a workout.

It’s where:

• People learn discipline

• Confidence gets built

• Stress gets released

• Friendships form

• Lives change

The old school wasn’t perfect — but it created a culture rooted in accountability, respect, and pride. And that’s worth holding onto.

OG Society — What to Expect

Every week, we bring you voices from the era that shaped the industry — men and women who:

• Trained without excuses

• Ate with purpose

• Lived the lifestyle

• Still walk the walk

Their lessons aren’t nostalgia — they’re blueprints.

Because strength ages well… when the foundation is solid.

The weights haven’t changed. Only the world around them has.

So whether you're lifting in Venice in 1984 or Frisco in 2026 — remember:

Respect the gym. Respect the effort. Respect the iron.

Welcome to OG Society — where the roots still matter.