Training Methodologies of the 1960's by Dr. Ken E. Leistner

He was extremely knowledgeable and willing, even eager to share the knowledge he had. It was at Leroy’s in 1962 where I met Dave Draper. One of the nice things about the lifting community in the late 50s, and into the late 60s, was people who trained were more than willing to provide information to whoever asked. The proviso, of course, was you had to figure out who had the information, where they were located and then get yourself to their locations where you would observe. Then, when they were done training, you could ask permission to speak, and ask your questions. There were many excellent bodybuilders in the New York City and Long Island areas. I remember one day looking for Mr. V’s Sport Shop in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn. Since you’re probably unfamiliar with Brooklyn in the 50s and 60s, the Red Hook section was a very tough area filled with gangs of various ethnicities, a tremendous amount of violence and was considered a poverty-stricken area. However, near the Gowanus Canal, there was a store owned by a gentleman by the name of Jack Meinero, who always ad vertised in the Weider magazines.

9