Venice is the bodybuilding Capital of the World, and a shrine to our sport! It's the “Mecca of Bodybuilding” as are Bethlehem and Jerusalem to Christians and Jews.

Gold's Gym in Venice is the Cooperstown of Venice. Its our “Hall of Fame!

Years, passed and I was getting older and I kept dreaming about going to Venice, but never did. Then back in about 1997 Bill Phillips of EAS, published a Bodybuilding Mag called Muscle Media 2000, or MM2k.

It was a hardcore mag, and had a hardcore following. Contained therein were articles about steroids, and Dan Duchaine RIP had a monthly column. It was the Gospel of hardcore training!

Somewhere in my abode I have copies of those Mags, as they were classics!

Every month I'd get my copy of MM2k and start devouring it feverishly. One night I ran out got the latest copy and the cover was a two part story about Venice and it's lifestyle.

As I read through the pages and looked at the pics; I knew I had to go to Venice for a visit! How could I be part of this for decades and not do it? I didn't know when I would go, but that I would.

Re-reading the article in MM2k kept me motivated! Finally I did it. Planned a trip out here, and visited for a couple of weeks. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I urge every single one of you to do the same!

Favorite this article for motivation. Keep reading it whenever you feel like you need to get motivated to do this! You will thank me if you do!

If you plan carefully, get a plane or train ticket in advance and it won't be that expensive. There are plenty of cheap Motels in the area so there's no excuse. If your Married or with someone bring your partner...they will love it too!

The weather here is the best in the world, it shouldn't be much of a consideration. You can pack light in almost any season!

The “Firehouse” is a famous bodybuilding eatery and a must do on your list. Eating there was an experience in and of itself.

Of course you'll visit Muscle Beach! When you get there you might be surprised to find guys lifting that don't even have a physique, as many do it to take pics and it's touristy. It's a historical site, and you'll be part of bodybuilding history.

You can workout at various hardcore gyms while you're here, but when you arrive at Gold's Gym it is AMAZING! Depending on what time of day and year you are there, you may see some of the top Pro's working out next to you.

For me working out next to these guys was an almost “Out of body experience”; and you'll soon see why these are the best in the world! Their physiques speak for themselves! Most of them are very approachable if you want to ask a question. They may be more approachable than the King of your local gym!

As far as working out; you can buy guest passes, or maybe even make a deal for a week or so at the front desk.

So, I did it; and it was the best two weeks of my life! Leaving was the sad part; but I wanted to come back. This was where I wanted to be!

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could do it but in 1999; I moved out here. I'm 35 minutes away from Venice, and it has been great. I moved here at the age of fifty(50), so dreams can come true!

I worked out at Golds pretty regularly back in 2000 and became friends witht a bunch of the top pros back in that day. Mike O'Hearne is still there I here, and still a “Natty”! No comment!

Every one of you owes it to yourself to visit Venice and see the lifestyle lived out every day in the Bodybuilding Capital of the World!

Enjoy your stay!