If you are a student of great physiques, you probably have admired Arnold Schwarzenegger. But who did Mr. Schwarzenegger look up to? The answer: a man named Reg Park.

IF YOU GO

What: Reg Park speaks about his principles of strength training, nutrition, mental clarity and attitude. When: 7-9 p.m. next Monday. Where: The Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine, 6400 Galbraith Road, Kenwood. Registration: $20. Information: 791-5521.

        Mr. Park was among the world's first professional bodybuilders and gets credit for helping jump-start the fitness movement when “health” and “food” were rarely used in the same sentence and “going to the gym” was relegated to basketball teams.

        Mr. Park, who lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, will speak about “Health, Passion and How to Increase Your Zest For Life,” 7 p.m. next Monday at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine in Kenwood.

        We spoke with Mr. Park while he was in Los Angeles about his career and his pioneering role in today's fitness movement:

        Question: You were one of the original professional bodybuilders. How did that come about?

        Answer: (Where) I grew up there were two beautiful paintings of an old Greek wedding. The guy (in the painting) had a great looking physique. As a (young boy) I would look at this and think to myself, “Wow, I'd like to be built like that when I get older.” I think that was the first seed.

        In 1948, a magazine called Health and Strength decided to run the first Mr. Universe contest. I saw this contest and . . . very egotistically said, “One day I'm going to win this title.” I trained in the back yard of my parents' home, with winter temperatures probably minus 5 or 6, using an old barbell and dumbbell.

        After six months, I entered the Mr. Great Britain contest. I (was in) school and my exams ended three weeks before the contest. I wasn't in the shape I wanted, so for three weeks I did nothing but eat, sleep and train. I gained 26 pounds in 21 days. As fortune would have it, I was elected the winner (of Mr. Great Britain).

        Q: You went on to be named Mr. Universe three times. Has bodybuilding changed since your last Mr. Universe title in 1965?

        A: It's changed enormously. When I started, it was health and strength . . . And that really was what bodybuilding stood for . . . Today it's a different ball game. It's a kind of win at all costs, whatever it takes. It's just very sad.

        Q: You also were interested in vitamins, healthy eating and exercise long before they were universally popular.

        A: We sold health foods over 50 years ago. It was way out. People didn't know what it was all about . . . I started a bodybuilding magazine called the Reg Park Journal. We used the magazine as advertising for courses, athletic clothing, health foods, supplements and (body building) equipment.

        Q: Is it true that you were Arnold Schwarzenegger's hero?

        A: In 1966, a promoter in London asked me to do a show (with) a young kid who had just won Mr. Germany, called Arnold Schwarzenegger. I didn't speak a word of German and he didn't speak a word of English, but we hit it off from the very beginning . . . A year later I got a call from Arnold saying, “I just won the Mr. Universe.” He did a tour for me (in South Africa) and lived with (my family) for three months. We became very close.

        Q: What is a typical day for you as far as exercise is concerned?

        A: I work out early in the morning (5:30) for about an hour and a half. I try to arrange it so I get every aspect of body conditioning. As I get older I consider more stretch work.

        Q: What is your current percentage of body fat?

        A: I think about 12 percent. I'm 6 foot exactly, and I weigh 220 pounds.

        Q: At 73 how do you feel?

        A: I feel great . . . The 70s are wonderful.

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