Arnold Schwarzenegger mourns death of Gold's gym founder

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2004

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger mourned the death of Joe Gold, the founder of Gold's Gym, which former bodybuilding champion Schwarzenegger helped make world famous.

Fitness pioneer Gold, who founded the first Gold's Gym in California's Venice Beach in 1965, launching the era of global gym chains, died on Sunday at the age of 82, gym officials told AFP.

"I am deeply saddened to learn of Joe Gold's death. Joe was a trusted friend and father figure and was instrumental in my training during my days as a bodybuilder," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

"Gold's Gym was not only a training facility but it became a home to me," said former film star and Mr Universe Schwarzenegger, who trained at Gold's Gym in Venice at the height of...