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Post by maphillips3 on May 25, 2009 17:43:09 GMT -5
He guys! I am a huge Bronson fan, and have been for years, but the biggest thing I like about Bronson, was his physique. I have been a bodybuilding enthusiasts, since the sixth grade, so I can appreciate Bronson's physique, because his body wasn't made in a few days, it took YEARS of hard work, and discipline. I don't really believe that enough people, understand how long, and difficult that is to get, and maintain a body like Charles Bronson, but from all my years of being in the fitness industry, that I have deep admiration for what Charlie achieved! I would like too know, if theirs any problem, if anybody knows more about his fitness regimen, because I goggle the information, and only get that Charles Bronson that's in prison, so it's been tough! Thanks for this awesome sight, and forum. Talk too you soon!
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Post by chaney on May 28, 2009 18:34:30 GMT -5
I too have been a Bronson fan from an early age and fascinated by his rock-hard physique, screen presence, and athleticism. Have always taken an interest in what his workout methods were and pieced together info from a variety of sources, including many old articles and books.
Of course he worked in the coalmines digging and performing manual labor at an early age. I've read that he boxed in the Army and also took up weightlifting then. After his discharge he continued gym workouts both boxing and lifting on the East Coast. Not sure which gym or gyms he frequented. I've read that he was also a proponent of Dynamic Tension exercises, which he employed throughout his career while on movie locations. He would often carry surgical tubing or a rubber hose with him to pull on. As he settled into California he built his own workout equipment in his backyard, including a set of weights utilizing sandbags. He also had a punching bag, a trampoline, and a rope hanging from a tree he would climb, diligently working out 1 hour every day. He also took part in such rugged activities as archery, surf fishing, and motorcycling. By the 1970's he added martial art workouts to his repetoire and reportedly jogged 5 miles a day. In the early 1990's he was observed on a movie set doing a set of 100 pushups.
Believe he favored salads and barbecued meats while eating only moderately. It also seems that he smoked cigarettes, chewed tobacco, swilled coffee, and drank beer, making him somewhat of an interesting paradox. That's about it for what I know. Think the key was he kept at it for so long.
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Post by harmonica on May 29, 2009 5:19:43 GMT -5
HE WAS THE MAN.He was 73 years old and he could do 100 push-ups.I'm 18 years old I've been training since I was 13 years old but I can't do 100 push-ups, no way.
For how long did he practice martial arts?
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Post by chaney on May 29, 2009 9:30:46 GMT -5
Don't think he practiced formal martial arts all that long, though he was probably taught basic judo and hand to hand combat as far back as the Army during World War II. Magazines did claim he studied Gosukoru-Ryu karate with Tak Kubota for his role in "The Mechanic" but don't know if it was for that film only or something he kept up with. Martial arts training became the rage with Hollywood in the early and mid 1970's, so it's highly likely that Bronson continued to take some training.
Recall stories of Bronson being less than impressed though by Elvis breaking boards and karate sparring with his bodyguards on the set of "Kid Galahad". Seemed Bronson always favored boxing and street fighting techniques for his own fights. Incidentally, Hawaiian stuntman Kim Kahana worked with Bronson for over 20 years as his occasional double and was a Black Belt. It's likely Bronson picked up something from him or other stuntmen on movie sets over the years.
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crego
Full Member
Posts: 190
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Post by crego on May 29, 2009 10:44:57 GMT -5
Actors who worked with him, said he was always doing push ups and squeezed a tennis ball in his fist, between takes. Bronson's female partners talked about the matter, like Liv Ullmann, Michèle Mercier, Claudia Cardinale. Director Enzo Castellari who met Bronson for a project in Italy, said he was very preoccupied with his own muscles.
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Post by maphillips3 on Jun 2, 2009 19:15:50 GMT -5
Man thanks guys! I never heard all of these stories about Bronson's fitness routines! Thanks for replying! What was the problem with him, and Elvis?
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Post by chaney on Jun 3, 2009 11:27:30 GMT -5
Most of the Elvis books give mention of there being tension between the singer and Bronson on the set of KID GALAHAD with Elvis referring to Bronson as "a muscular ape". Elvis bodyguard Sonny West says that Bronson was professional though and simply wasn't impressed with all of the hoopla surrounding Elvis or his karate practice on the set. At this time in the early 1960's the martial arts had not caught on in Hollywood and most Asian masters weren't teaching outside of their own people. Assistant director Robert Relyea also notes in his book QUIET ON THE SET that both Elvis and Bronson were on the make for actress Joan Blackman, which might have been the true cause of tension between them.
Relyea relates the following incident:
Elvis had a marvelous sense of humor about himself, but I thought the grips were pushing it during one particular lunch break.
"Hey, karate man! King of rock 'n' chop! Show us how tough you are!" The grips were teasing Elvis about his supposed prowess as a black belt. If the kid was really as good as the press claimed he was, he should be able to karate chop a two-by-twelve piece of lumber in half, no problem. They brought out a ridiculously fat piece of wood and relentlessly challenged him to break it.
After a great deal of prodding, Elvis finally agreed.
The lumber was placed on a single brick, so he'd have to break it at its strongest point. Elvis stood before it, silently locked in concentration. The entire cast and crew gathered to watch; slowly their giggles and whispers faded to complete silence. Elvis made a few odd noises, and in the blink of an eye drove the palm of his hand directly through the thick slab of wood. It shattered with the sharp crack of a gun shot. The grips, the crew, the cast - all of us were stunned. Applause broke out. Elvis shrugged and smiled, then returned to his lunch. From that moment on, the grips would do anything for Elvis.
As everyone settled back into their lunch conversations, a voice yelled out, "Bullshit!"
It was Charles Bronson. Never one to back down from a challenge - especially when he's the only one who believes he's been challenged - Charlie was sure it was an easy trick and anyone could do it.
Now the grips were really excited.
They ran to get another piece of lumber, centered it on a brick, and stood back. Bronson stared hard at the wood. Then he puffed up his chest and turned bright red - as if he was able to ignite all the blood in his veins at will - and brought his fist cascading down into the meat of lumber with incredible force.
Nothing happened. The lumber remained intact. Bronson grunted, kicked at the piece of wood in disgust and defiantly walked away. Elvis, trying to soften Bronson's embarrassment, thought he detected a crack in the wood, but there wasn't even a scratch.
Everyone returned to their lunch. I followed Charlie as he disappeared behind one of the buildings. When I caught up to him, he was gripping his right hand and jumping up and down, cursing under his breath.
He had split the flesh wide open at the middle knuckles, shattering half the phalanx bones in his right hand.
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Post by maphillips3 on Jun 6, 2009 14:36:48 GMT -5
Man, I guess boards do hit back!
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Post by harmonica on Jun 11, 2009 5:29:28 GMT -5
When do you think Bronson was at his best shape?It must be during 50's in movies like "Big House U.S.A" "Drum Beat" "Run Of The Arrow" he looks ripped like hell and very big.
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Post by maphillips3 on Jun 11, 2009 18:20:43 GMT -5
I felt, the early 60's. The magnificent seven, and the great escape, because if you look at his build, he is probably the biggest he's ever been, and very cut too, so if you can be that built, and ripped, then you are a sight too be hold!
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Post by harmonica on Jun 14, 2009 4:22:29 GMT -5
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Post by maphillips3 on Jun 15, 2009 18:44:03 GMT -5
That was a incredible picture of Charlie. I believe he was in great shape, even in his mothers womb!
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Post by harmonica on Jun 18, 2009 4:51:30 GMT -5
What you said is actually true. There are three body types: 1)"Ectomorph" 2)"Endomorph" 3)"Mesomorph" ( www.bodybuilding.com/fun/becker3d.jpg ) 1)People whose body type is "Ectomorph" have:flat chest, delicate build, young appearance and large brain.They are fragile, thin, lightly muscled and stoop-shouldered.They gain weight very difficult and the muscle growth takes longer. To be more simple they don't gain fat and muscles. 2)People whose body type is Endomorph have: soft body, underdeveloped muscles, over-developed digestive system and they are flabby and round shaped. They hardly lose weight and generally gain muscle easily. More simply they gain both fat and muscles easily 3)Mesomorphs are the luckiest.Their characteristics are:athletic, hard, muscular body and overly mature appearance, thick skin, upright posture they are rectangular shaped and they gain or lose weight easily and grow muscles very quickly. So they usually have muscles without fat and their body is hard and ripped with a lot of veins. It's obvious that the main reason for Bronson's muscular body is his genetics.he is a mesomorph.That combined with the training gave him the body he used to have.
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Post by chaney on Jun 18, 2009 12:00:29 GMT -5
I remember seeing a picture of Bronson in a magazine about 15 years or so. It might have been one of the entertainment magazines like "Premiere". There was a short item on Bronson on one of the back pages and there was a picture of a tan Charlie standing on the beach in shorts with his shirt off, hands on hips. His stomach was flat and his arms and shoulders looked as sinewy as ever. The thing that got me about the picture was that his face was the older Charlie from mid to late 80's I'd say, but he still had the great 1970's body. He must have been mid-60's at least age-wise and he looked phenomenal. Wish I still had that picture or could remember the magazine it appeared in. Does anyone else out there remember seeing that photo?
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Post by maphillips3 on Jun 19, 2009 15:26:26 GMT -5
I would like too see those pictures too! if you see any of his movies in the 80's, you can see he looks in phenomenal shape, even in his 60's.
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