25 Awesome Vintage Pics of Muscle Beach in the '50s

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 05/31/2024 in wow

Venice Beach in Santa Monica California is home to one of the world's most shirtless boardwalks. That's because there's been an outdoor public gym there filled with bodybuilders, celebs, and acrobats, since the late 1930s.

Through the decades Muscle Beach has evolved, but perhaps its hottest decade was the 1950s. Complete with stars, shows, and contests, here are 25 awesome vintage pics of Muscle Beach in the '50s.

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1.
Fit family posing at Muscle Beach in California in the 1950's.
2.
1956.
3.
4.
A group of friends pose on Muscle Beach at Santa Monica, 1950.
5.
6.
April Atkins, 12 yrs old, supporting 400 lbs, Muscle Beach, 1954.
7.
8.
1957.
9.
68 year old Barney Frye lifts three women, Joan Greenman, Sherry Lee Evans, Kim Curtis, on the boardwalk, Muscle Beach, 1956.
10.
11.
April Atkins again, 1950.
12.
"Miss Muscle Beach" contest, 1951.
13.
14.
15.
"Miss Muscle Beach" contest, 1951.
16.
17.
Mr. Muscle Beach, 1951.
18.
“My grandpa at Muscle Beach in the '50s.”
19.
"Miss Muscle Beach" contest, 1951.
20.
Miss Muscle Beach of 1954.
21.
22.
Miss Muscle Beach, 1952.
23.
My grandpa on Santa Monica Beach, 1958.
24.
25.

1.
Fit family posing at Muscle Beach in California in the 1950's.
2.
1956.
3.
4.
A group of friends pose on Muscle Beach at Santa Monica, 1950.
5.
6.
April Atkins, 12 yrs old, supporting 400 lbs, Muscle Beach, 1954.
7.
8.
1957.
9.
68 year old Barney Frye lifts three women, Joan Greenman, Sherry Lee Evans, Kim Curtis, on the boardwalk, Muscle Beach, 1956.
10.
11.
April Atkins again, 1950.
12.
"Miss Muscle Beach" contest, 1951.
13.
14.
15.
"Miss Muscle Beach" contest, 1951.
16.
17.
Mr. Muscle Beach, 1951.
18.
“My grandpa at Muscle Beach in the '50s.”
19.
"Miss Muscle Beach" contest, 1951.
20.
Miss Muscle Beach of 1954.
21.
22.
Miss Muscle Beach, 1952.
23.
My grandpa on Santa Monica Beach, 1958.
24.
25.