The legendary Vince Gironda was considered by some to be the greatest bodybuilding trainer that ever lived. Nicknamed "The Iron Guru," Vince was acknowledged as a man decades ahead of his time. In fact, Vince Gironda laid the groundwork for modern-day bodybuilding and his influences can be seen everywhere in gyms today.

Vince himself set a standard in the '50s for definition, shape, and presentation that marked the beginning of the modern bodybuilding era. In the '60s Vince's Gym produced more champions that any other gym in the world, including the first Mr. Olympia, Larry Scott. In the '60s and '70s Vince offered his courses by mail-order, and in the '80s he wrote the book The Wild Physique: The Complete Book of Championship Physique Training for Men and Women.

Vince passed away in 1997, just shy of 80 years of age, and the The Wild Physique book is now out of print; however, a site has been created -- www.VinceGironda.com -- as a tribute to his achievements. And this column -- written by Ron Kosloff, owner of NSP/Research Nutrition in Detroit, and a personal friend of Vince's who has been teaching his training methods for more than 30 years -- is here to allow Vince's thoughts, ideas, and methods to live on through generations more bodybuilders to come. We hope you enjoy it.

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