WAREINGS GYM

Gym Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA

The name Wareing has been synonymous with physical fitness for almost 100 years. As early as 1923, Bill Wareing, Sr. began coaching group training and gained a reputation as a physical culturist. Living in New York City he trained with people like Charles Atlas and held the world record for the single arm dumbbell press at 127 pounds – not bad for a guy who weighed 150 pounds. His son, John Wareing, took over the family business in 1960 when he opened the very first Wareing’s Gym on Laskin Road in Virginia Beach.The legendary John Wareing touched the lives of thousands of people during his life. He was a fitness guru, war hero, strongman, television personality, police officer, comedian and a driving force in the fitness industry in Virginia Beach. While tough, charismatic and gregarious, he was extremely devoted to his friends and family. Tales of his “crazy” personality are still shared by many of the gym’s long-tenured members. He had such an impact on this city, he was immortalized in bronze and stands watch over the oceanfront at 19th street.