Back in the swing of things (Golf)

Enjoying a little pitch&putt in Barcelona's Golf Monjuic.

 in...

 and out. Next!

 view of '92 Olympic Flame

and Stadium

Big time fitness on Bcn beach

Outdoor gym. Urban training. However you think of it you'll find it aplenty down on the section of beach in Barcelona called Porto Olimpico (near the area hospital). It's a popular spot for physique enthusiasts. (Just don´t mistake it for annoying hipster crossfit. God, those people are passive-yuppie pretentious...not that I didn't consider it at one time.)

A month ago I started training here (and in parks) exclusively because I got fed up with the corporate-politically correct-girly man-gym culture. For me, the last straw landed when parents brought their little daughters inside the men's locker room & showers. Seriously, Spanish people, that's fucking gross. And since I couldn't change the policy I changed where I spent my time & money. Hello!

Muscle pit in Venice Beach, CA

Here are some advantages of this outdoor gym. I believe it's run by the city and they do a wonderful job of maintaining it: 

• no gym membership!
• no germaphobic rules
• no fashionistas or dance club ambience
• you can train shirtless
• you can train barefoot 
• you can use chalk
• fresh air & sunshine
• beautiful beach scenery
• you're forced to develop core muscles & safe technique
• people are happy to help you
• no one's talking on his phone or reading The Economist
• no obnoxious girls (only serious, fit ones!) 
• lots of high, healthful, good energy
• natural athletes with healthy-looking, strong bodies

almost...

got it!

No machines or weights...just lots of bars! The surface is shock-absorbing rubber.

Sporty weekend. Bodybuilding, boxing & bulls !

click here to read about

my bodybuilding competition

saw public boxing exhibitions 

in downtown en route to...

Playas to see the bullfights

d

Mr Playas de Rosarito 2014

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I placed 3rd in Saturday's contest. I rightfully ought to have walked away with 2nd Place but judges were inclined to favor local participants. The whole event was poorly organized, the sound system lacking much and the stage size, even more so. There was room enough for four bodies maximum but some categories were judged with as many as six or so competitors squeezed into a row. It looked like a shoddy amateur's first crack at hosting a show.  

On the plus side, the competitors were friendly and sportsmanlike -- and I brought back a trophy for the gym. All's well that ends well.

3rd Place finish

 me and the 2nd Place winner

don't you just love his expression!

More snapshots of Mr Tijuana contest

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To all our members: We invite you to the upcoming Mr Tijuana event where our competitor, Powers Tilden, will represent our gym. Come out and support! We look forward to seeing you there!!

 the arrow shows the^ oblique muscle.

commonly hidden by fat people's 
'love handles'

 blue got a big ol butt

not very 'athletic' poses...but who's complaining? the more butts, the better

 it was a colorful evening

  trophy in the image of Zeus

who loves ya baby?

(click here to read about the show!)

Mr Tijuana 2014

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Friday night's bodybuilding competition in Tijuana ended on a good note (personally speaking) but, damn, it took way, way too long to get to that point. How long, you ask? Longer than the telecast of the Academy Awards show. When we were finally able to head home, three hours after start time, the thing was still going!!

C'mon Mexico get a little better organized.

Mr Tijuana ended on a good note for me as I walked away with 2nd Place. During prejudging, which merely consists of the officials' eyeball analyses of the lineup - very empirical, darlings - I, plus a few others, was bumped up from novice to the 'clasificado' (advanced/open) category ...solely based on physical appearance as opposed to competitive experience. Then I was told to change my posing suit (to one like everybody else): skimpier and with a thiny thin waistband.

100% real natural

The event was super well attended by amateurs and spectators and photographers; the sport enjoys genuine high interest here and doesn't have the stench of a money-grab. 

The trophies, too, were nice; nice and solid and impressive (note t0 Joe Wheatly Productions: this is along the lines of how a bodybuilding trophy should look). And I have to admit, I did not encounter the noxious Latin American machismo of events past. In fact, throughout the night several guys came over and shook my hand.

 big guns. big ass truck

same small trunks as the guy on the poster; they look suitable wear to me






...but apparently my trunks were not small enough

 2nd Place 70kg!

 me and the gym instructors

(more event pics here)

we're really smiling because NOW we get to go home. 3+ hours and the show was still going on!

@TWPTILDEN

Travelling with Russians on 4th of July (Los Angeles)

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My holiday started just before dawn, waiting in the dark for the city bus to Venice Beach via ghetto ass downtown. A group of wandering tourists, party of four, approached. Their mother tongue sounded Russian to me (turns out they were citizens of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan taking a day trip from Sacramento); in English, the one turned and politely asked for bus directions to Venice. Easy, I said, I'm going to Venice.

And then we were five.

Once in Venice we parted ways. They headed to the beach and pier and stuff and I, to the muscle pit to get half naked and oiled up. After a few hours they came by to wish me luck and took pictures. I don't use Facebook but am sure I'm on there anyway!

'backstage' in the muscle pit

 bodybuilder with Mexican wrestlers

I see old people

 plenty about which to smile

plenty  

(click pic)