Since I know there's alot of bodybuilding freaks around the world, I thought some of you might be interested learning what it's like to train at the Mecca--Gold's Gym in Venice, California.
I've been living in Venice and training at the Mecca for about 3 years. I'd love to say that I walked in a scrawny 170 pounds and am now a massive 270. That'd be nice. But you learn a few things training in Venice--one of them being it's not quite the environment here that maybe you'd suspect it to be.
Are there big guys? Big girls? Sure. More than anyplace else I've ever seen. I typically lift in early afternoon and I usually see Craig Titus, Tom Prince, Mike Christian, Flex Wheeler, Chris Cormier, Lee Priest, Gunther Schlierkamp and many others. There's also a fair amount of fitness woman (not so many FBB) like Kelly Ryan, Jennifer Goodwin and whoever's in town to shoot for Flex or Musclemag.
As far as workouts go, it's hard not to get inspired. When I'm standing there doing curls and big Tom Prince (with his 24 inch guns) steps up next to me, I'd have to be a fool not to push just that much harder.
Still, if you think that these guys and girls are going to let you into their social circle just based on a shared love of iron, think again. It's not that they're snobs. Most I've spoken with have been very nice. It's just that they're very careful--and don't even think you'll get anywhere when it comes to talk on juice.
I think the difference between a Gold's Venice and your local gym is there's almost a brotherhood/sisterhood among gearheads in other places. It's not as much the norm to be into that lifestyle so people are more open to meeting others and sharing experience.
However, once you get out here, it's a different ballgame. A few years ago, I trained with a bodybuilder/trainer (I won't say who) who weighed in off-season at 270. At that point, I was very interested in eventually competing, and told him that I wanted to use. While he did start making some subtle "I'm trying to find out if you're gay" comments to me (I'm straight--but there's supposedly some secret sexual component on who gets hooked up and groomed to grow here) he never tried to educate me, help me find sources, or put together a cycle.
Quite honestly, the person who taught me the most about cycling was another guy who lives out this way who I met on a board. Unfortunately, he's moved away...so back I come to cyberspace.
In conclusion, my advice to anyone thinking of moving out to the Mecca is simple. Either be big already or find someone out here with similar interests and established contacts. Venice is a great place to live, and a great place to train, but it's definitely different than I thought.
With that, I'm off to the gym...
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