excercise equipment

Universal Gym Equipment was founded by Harold Zinkin, the first Mr. California and a Muscle Beach in 1957.

History

Traditionally, barbells and dumbbells were the primary means of physical strength conditioning and were used mostly by muscle building and strength training enthusiasts. The use of traditional equipment sometimes led to injuries in the hands of people not sufficiently trained in their safe handling. Zinkin's goal was to broaden weightlifting's appeal with equipment that was safer, more compact and also worked all major muscle groups. Home Exercise Equipment - Home Fitness Equipment - Exercise.

Towards this goal, Zinkin created a multi-station machine that featured separate stacks of incremented weight plates that were guided up and down on solid steel guides. Weight changes were quicker and safer thanks to this unique, user selectable weight key system. Zinkin introduced this first device that he called the "Universal Gym®" machine and with its introduction helped start the fitness revolution that continues across the entire fitness industry. This industry began to grow as more gyms and individuals adopted the universals and other modern fitness machines and body builders such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno and others popularized the sport and brought fitness into the society's mainstream.